'Sense of excitement' as Rebus begins filming for second series

The BBC production will be shot around Edinburgh and Glasgow over the coming months, with Richard Rankin reprising his role as Detective John Rebus.

Casting just announced also includes John Michie, who has been seen in Karen Pirie and Stephen McCole, who was Logan Craggan in Shetland.

The series will debut on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in 2027.

Written by Gregory Burke and based on the best-selling books, the new series continues to explore Rebus’s complex world as he navigates Scottish crime and personal conflict.

Series two, commissioned by the BBC, explores the links between violent criminals and the professional bourgeois world of law and finance, where police sometimes fear to tread.

Richard Rankin said: “There’s a real sense of excitement about stepping back into Rebus’ world. We were incredibly fortunate with the team we assembled for the first series, and it’s a genuine pleasure to be returning alongside so many familiar faces, both in front of and behind the camera.

“At the same time, we’re welcoming some fantastic new talent this season, and it’s already exciting to see the energy, ideas and depth they’re bringing to the story.”

He added: “What I’ve always loved about Rebus is that he’s such a richly complex character. He’s fiercely driven, deeply flawed, endlessly determined and often at war with himself. Returning to him, there’s still so much to discover, with many, many layers of the character left to explore.

“This next chapter promises to challenge him in ways that I’m really looking forward to bringing to life.”

The first six-part series, which launched in 2024, attracted 6.3 million viewers across all platforms while it scooped three RTS Scotland awards for best drama, writer and director last year.