BBC Slates Season Two of Rebus

The BBC has commissioned a second season of Rebus, based on the best-selling books by Ian Rankin and filmed in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Season one launched on BBC iPlayer last year, with the debut episode securing 6.3 million viewers across all platforms. Richard Rankin reprises his role as Detective Sergeant John Rebus in the series from Eleventh Hour Films.

Paula Cuddy, executive producer and Co-CEO at Eleventh Hour Films, said: “After three wins at the RTS Scotland Awards 2025, we couldn’t be more thrilled to now share that we are reuniting with Ian Rankin’s celebrated Scottish detective, brilliantly portrayed by Richard Rankin, to bring a second series of Rebus to the BBC. No doubt it’ll pack a punch and there’ll be some sardonic Rebus comments along the way. We can’t wait!”

Ian Rankin, executive producer, added: “Season one of Rebus ended on a cliffhanger. Only screenwriter Gregory Burke knows what happens next. So I’m hugely excited that season two will soon be with us. Rebus is back—mean, moody and as magnificent as ever!”

Gregory Burke, writer, noted, “I’m delighted to be given the chance by the BBC and Eleventh Hour Films to bring Rebus back to the nation’s TV screens once more. Ian Rankin’s character and body of work are the perfect materials with which to explore contemporary Scottish society and the turbulent world that surrounds it.”

Louise Thornton, head of commissioning for BBC Scotland, said, “We were blown away with the audience response to the new-look Rebus first time round so bringing it back for a second series was always a priority. The combination of brilliant storytelling, powerful performances and top-class production values will make this new series must-see television. This commission is part of our recently announced strategy to bring more high-impact scripted content from Scotland and we’re confident audiences will enjoy this next series as much as they did the first.”

Season two for BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland and BBC One will consist of six episodes. The series is distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Television.