Rebus is a 2000 British TV detective drama series produced by STV Studios for the ITV network. Based on the novels by Ian Rankin, the series features Detective Inspector John Rebus, a cynical veteran police officer whose investigations often take him into the darker underbelly of Edinburgh.
The first season starred John Hannah in the title role, and was co-produced by the actor's own production company, Clerkenwell Films. The three seasons however were produced in-house by STV, with Ken Stott taking over as Rebus. In all, fourteen episodes were produced and broadcast between 2000 and 2007.
The series includes the following tropes:
- Adaptation Name Change: In the Black and Blue novel, the serial killer being pursued by the authorities calls himself "Johnny Bible", inspired by the Real Life serial killer "Bible John", who also appears in the story. The adaptation changes the moniker of both the original and copycat serial killers to "The Preacher".
- Composite Character: DCI Charles Ancram was the senior officer who interviewed Rebus as part of the inquiry into the Lenny Spaven case in the Black and Blue novel. In the adaptation however, Gill Templar plays that role, leading to a slightly more antagonistic relationship between her and Rebus in the series as compared to the books.
- Cowboy Cop: Rebus, as in the books.
- In Name Only: The series finale, Knots and Crosses, derived only its title from the novel, and featured an entirely original story.
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The Other Darrin: Ken Stott replaced John Hannah as Rebus from the second season onwards.- Rebus' boss, Gill Templar, and his partner and protegee, Siobhan Clarke, were also recast at the same time.
- Private Eye Monologue: Hannah's Rebus is prone to this in the first season. The subsequent seasons starring Ken Stott dispense with it.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: DCS Gill Templar, Rebus' superior, generally supports him in his investigations, despite his maverick tendencies and irascible behavior, but doesn't hesitate to lay down the law where necessary.
- Soft Reboot: Occurs in the second season, following a change in production house. The main roles of John Rebus, Siobhan Clarke and Gill Templar are all recast, and the series receives a new theme tune and title sequence. Runtimes get shorter, the tone gets a little less dark, and there's more deviation from the plot of the novels.
