More than 20 years after the original series aired, Ian Rankin’s Rebus is returning to our screens in the form of a BBC drama on Friday May 17.
Based on 29 novels by the beloved author, the series will see the world-weary Scottish detective John Rebus make a comeback, but not as we know him.
The character, played by Outlander’s Richard Rankin (no relation), reimagines him as a younger maverick detective sergeant pounding the streets of Edinburgh in the present day.
Richard will be the 20th actor to portray the protagonist detective, following the likes of Fleabag‘s Bill Paterson, Taggart’s James McPherson, and Succession star Brian Cox.
But, the first person to bring the well-known character to life was John Hannah back in 2000. Here, looks at what the original cast of Rebus are up to now…
The new Rebus is played by Outlander’s Richard Rankin (no relation) and reimagined as a younger maverick detective sergeant
John Hannah – John Rebus
Scottish actor John Hannah, now 62, was the first person to take on the iconic role of Detective Inspector John Rebus
As of today, the actor was playing Dr. Jedidiah Bishop on a Canadian medical drama called Transplant up until 2024, and is currently the narrator of the BBC reality series Race Across The World
He starred in romcom, Sliding Doors (1998), alongside Gwyneth Paltrow
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Rebus The Young Rebel: The iconic Scottish detective is back – reimagined as a hard-drinking young copper who breaks the rules
Scottish actor John Hannah, now 62, was the first person to take on the iconic role of Detective Inspector John Rebus.
He starred as the troubled lead character in season one, between 2000 and 2001, before his role was recast in season two when the show was taken in-house by STV Productions.
In the four-episode series, Rebus investigates a suspected case of human trafficking, a serial killer, and a growing territory war between gangster Tommy Telford (Thomas Flanagan) and the jailed ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty (James Cosmo).
John Hannah’s breakthrough role was as Matthew in the romcom Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994, for which he was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
He went on to star in another romcom, Sliding Doors (1998), alongside Gwyneth Paltrow.
Since his role in the original Rebus series, John went on to play the part of Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, the owner of a gladiator training house, in Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010) and its prequel Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena.
The Scottish actor also notably portrayed Jonathan Carnahan in all three of the Mummy films.
He then took on the role of Holden Radcliffe on Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D during its third season (2015), getting promoted to series regular in season four.
As of today, the actor was playing Dr. Jedidiah Bishop on a Canadian medical drama called Transplant up until 2024, and is currently the narrator of the BBC reality series Race Across The World.
Over the years, the actor has also appeared in Silent Witness, The Last Of Us, Black Mirror, Frasier, and more.
Ken Stott – John Rebus (recast)
Ken Stott took over the iconic role of John Rebus from John Hannah after the first season aired, stepping into the detective’s shoes for season two from 2006
He remained in the title role for seasons two, three and four until the show ended and for many fans, he is the face that comes to mind when you picture the Scottish detective
The role the actor is best known for is portraying the dwarf Balin in The Hobbit film trilogy between 2012 and 2014 (middle)
Ken Stott took over the iconic role of John Rebus from John Hannah after the first season aired, stepping into the detective’s shoes for season two from 2006.
He remained in the title role for seasons two, three, and four until the show ended and for many fans, he is the face that comes to mind when you picture the Scottish detective.
Ken had a string of TV roles already under his belt when he landed the role, such as playing the lead in the BBC drama series Messiah between 2001 and 2005 and DI Chappell in the ITV police drama, The Vice (1999-2003).
After playing the role of Rebus, his career continued to take off and one year later he was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA for his role as comedian Tony Hancock in Hancock and Joan in 2008.
In 2015, the actor stepped into the role of Arthur Birling in the BBC TV adaption of An Inspector Calls, shortly after he appeared at Ian Garrett in the BBC’s The Missing.
However, the role the actor is best known for is portraying the dwarf Balin in The Hobbit film trilogy between 2012 and 2014.
Most recently, Ken starred in Irvine Welsh’s Crime, six-part drama series that was aired on ITVX in 2021- he plays Chief Superintendent Bob Toal, a career cop with a short temper.
Gayanne Potter and Claire Price – Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke (recast)
An actress named Gayanne Potter originally played Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke in the original series of Rebus, before she was replaced with Claire Price.
DI Clarke is Rebus’s trusted friend, partner, and ambitious apprentice, who is much younger than the protagonist – as a woman her character faces challenges in the police force.
Since appearing on the show for only a brief amount of time, Gayanne is now an award-winning voiceover artist who has appeared in a host of TV and radio s, trailers, and even movie characters.
Claire Price took over the role of Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke by the second season and continued until the show’s end.
Claire Price took over the role of Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke by the second season and continued until the show’s end (pictured in the show)
In terms of TV work, she also appeared in Jump (2012), The Second Best Exotic Marigolf Hotel (2015), and Home Fires (2015-16), as well as a guest appearance on a Casualty episode (Pictured in 2016)
The actress was made to pass her driving test before filming the third season so that Siobhan Clarke could drive Rebus around.
Following Rebus, she went on to play the role of Marcus’ Teacher in the movie Hereafter (2010).
In terms of TV work, she also appeared in Jump (2012), The Second Best Exotic Marigolf Hotel (2015), and Home Fires (2015-16), as well as a guest appearance on a Casualty episode.
Claire has also worked in theatre, and played the lead role of Petruchia in The Taming Of A Shrew at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Sara Stewart and Jennifer Black – Detective Cheif Inspector Gill Templer (recast)
Sara Stewart played Detective Inspector Gill Templer between 2000-2001 in the first season of the show, alongside John Hannah as Rebus
Following her brief time in the show, Sara played Susie Parks in the BBC’s hugely successful drama Doctor Foster (pictured RIGHT)
Sarah appeared in Unforgotten (above), Fresh Meat, Quirke, La Fortuna, and more
Sara Stewart played Detective Inspector Gill Templer between 2000-2001 in the first season of the show, alongside John Hannah as Rebus.
She is a regular character in the series, who had an affair followed by an on-and-off relationship with John Rebus.
The Scottish actress who first brought the role to life was raised in Edinburgh but trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Before her appearance in Rebus, she played numerous TV roles including Alison Bain in Taggart (1992).
Following her brief time in the show, Sara played Susie Parks in the BBC’s hugely successful drama Doctor Foster, as well as appearing in Unforgotten, Fresh Meat, Quirke, La Fortuna, and more.
Her film credits include Transformers, The Last Night, Face of an Angel, Empire of Light and Batman Begins.
Sara’s most recent television roles are as Stella in the 2005 series, Sugar Rush, and Gaynor in an episode of the BBC’s Ashes to Ashes.
She has also had a glittering theatre career, including Murder On The Orient Express, The Price and The Cherry Orchard.
The actress is currently playing Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London’s West End.
For season two of Rebus, Jennifer Black took over from Sara and remained in the role until the show ended in 2007
The Scottish actress is notable for playing Stella Urquhart in the film Local Hero (1983), which was before she took on the role of Gill.
For season two of Rebus, Jennifer Black took over from Sara and remained in the role until the show ended in 2007 – she played the part alongside Ken Stott as John Rebus.
The Scottish actress is notable for playing Stella Urquhart in the film Local Hero (1983), which was before she took on the role of Gill.
Since then, she took on a number of TV roles, including playing Principal Quinn in Half Moon Investigations in 2009, shortly after Rebus ended.
Jennifer appeared in singular episodes of Holby City, Doctors, and Succession, before bagging the role of Laura Haynes on River City in 2021.
Most recently, she popped up in two episodes of the 2023 ITV drama series Shetland, playing the character of Jean Ferguson.
Rebus, from Friday, BBC iPlayer. Episode one airs Friday on BBC Scotland, and on 18 May on BBC1.