Rebus 2024 cast, plot and filming locations – BBC Scottish crime drama explained

REBUS has returned to our screens after a 20-year hiatus, with Richard Rankin taking on the role previously played by John Hannah and Ken Stott.

Here’s everything you need to know about who makes the rest of the cast and where the detective reboot was filmed.

Who is in the cast of Rebus?

Richard Rankin

Best known for his roles in Outlander and The Replacement, Richard Rankin takes on the eponymous role of John Rebus.

Although he shares a surname with the author of the source material, Sir Ian Rankin, the two are not related.

Having played a number of cops before, Richard though he was done with playing such roles.

He explained: “[I’ve played police officers] a few times now in one form or another. I thought I had sufficiently explored this archetype… and then Rebus came along.

“Rebus is an iconic character in Scottish literature and television. It already has such a huge following.

“That aside, it was within the first ten pages of episode one that had me absolutely hooked.”

He added: “It felt real, it felt dark, and it felt charged.”

Brian Ferguson

Brian is known for appearing in movies including Residue (2015), Kiss Me First (2018) and Beats (2019).

Fans of Line of Duty may also recognise him, as he appeared in an episode of the iconic BBC crime drama in 2016.

He takes on the role of John’s brother Michael Rebus in the 2024 reboot of the show.

On what made him want to be involved with Rebus, he explained: “When I read the first two scripts, it was very clear immediately how good they were. I thought they were fantastically written and a really new take on Rebus.

“They felt very contemporary and really honoured the books, whilst being something totally different.

“I knew that director Niall MacCormick was on board as director for episodes one, two and three, and I was lucky enough to work with Niall on The Victim.

“He’s as good as they come really, in terms of a director. So really, it was very easy to say yes!”

Lucie Shorthouse

Lucie has appeared in movies including The Sound of Music Live (2015) and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2019).

On the small screen she has featured in the shows Bulletproof (2018-21), We Are Lady Parts (2021-24), and she also appeared in an episode of Line of Duty in 2017.

She takes on the role on Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke.

Speaking about what attracted her to the production, Lucie said: “I love crime detective dramas.

“I also love the fact that everyone has heard of Sir Ian Rankin’s novels and that the Rebus novels stretch back for so long.

“So to be part of something like that was fantastic.”

Amy Manson

Amy is best known for her roles in movies including Doom: Annihilation (2019) and Spencer (2021), as well as the TV series The Nevers (2021-23).

She plays Rhona Moncrieffe, the titular character’s ex-wife and mother of their daughter, in the new series of Rebus.

On what atracted her to the project, she explained: “This script to me read almost like a high-octane thriller or a whodunit.

“I was really just excited to find out what happened at the end.

“But it’s not your straightforward police procedural drama, and that’s what I loved about it. It’s just brilliant TV drama.”

Stuart Bowman

Stuart has appeared in movies such as Slow West (2015) and The Cursed (2021), and TV shows including Gary: Tank Commander (2009-12), Guilt (2021-23) and Chemistry of Death (2023).

He plays “Rebus’ nemesis” Ger Cafferty.

Opening up about the role, Stuart said: “On the face of it, he’s a gangster, or a baddie, or Rebus’ nemesis.

“But I think above all what Cafferty is, is somebody who makes the world work the way he wants it to work.

“He has the force of personality and the wit and intelligence to succeed; in fact, there are very few times in his life where he hasn’t been able to do that.

“Throughout the course of this drama, we see moments where that is stretched and that’s when it becomes really interesting.

“That’s why his relationship with Rebus is so fascinating.”

What is Rebus about?

In the 2024 reboot Rebus has been reimagined as a younger detective sergeant.

He’s at loggerheads with his his job, which he feels is increasingly “driven by corporate technocrats”.

Rebus is also engaging in a “toxic” affair and his ex-wife’s new husband is getting in the way of his relationship with his daughter.

He also has to clean up his brother Michael’s mess — an ex-soldier with financial difficulties.

As author Ian Rankin explains: “In the new incarnation, there’s a fascinating focus on Rebus and his brother.

“There have been characters and situations in the books where I felt that in retrospect I didn’t do enough with them.

“Rebus’ brother was a really interesting character in the books, and eventually I just let him go, and he never returned.

“During our various conversations early on, [writer and executive producer] Greg Burke zoned in on that almost blood brothers thing, or that Jekyll and Hyde thing where you can have two brothers who are close to each other, who love each other, but potentially can destroy each other.

“I just thought that was a really interesting route that Greg chose for the series to follow. He takes us into the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Edinburgh.”

Where was Rebus filmed?

Grassmarket

With its twisting cobbled streets and hidden closes, the Old Town of Edinburgh is the perfect backdrop for the new Rebus series.

Fittingly this was once the location for public executions, when people used to gather for open-air marketplaces and a hanging.

Now the Grassmarket is a bustling spot full of independent shops, cafes and pubs dating back to the 18th century, boasting epic views of Edinburgh Castle.

The Mound

The Mound is a steep hill connecting Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, with incredible views of Princes Street and its gardens.

Up at the summit of The Mound is New College with its stunning gothic architecture.

And down at the bottom you can find the National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy.

National Library of Scotland

During the show Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke is seen entering the front entrance of the library for a clandestine meeting.

Centrally located on George IV Bridge, just off the Royal Mile, the architecture of the building is impressive inside and out.

The research archives date back to the 17th century and Rebus author Ian Rankin even donated his entire archive to the library.

The Meadows

Eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted this beautiful, open green space located in the south of the city during the first episode of the new series.

Visitors to the area can have a drink and a snack from some of the nearby artisan coffee trucks.

The Meadows also offers a chance to explore the picturesque neighbourhoods of Bruntsfield and Marchmont.

George Herriot’s School

In the show Rebus’s daughter Sammy attends George Herriot’s School, which was founded in the 17th century.

With its renaissance architecture, elaborate turrets and sandstone façade, it looks more like a castle than an academic institution.

And this is not the first time it has been associated with fiction — Harry Potter fans claim it inspired J.K. Rowling’s school for wizards Hogwarts.

the best view of George Heriot’s, , is actually from Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Edinburgh Castle

While the new series wasn’t actually filmed inside the castle walls, the 11th century fortress acts as a backdrop throughout all six episodes.

Edinburgh Castle has also been at the centre of Scottish history for over a millenia and was involved in many historical conflicts — from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century, up to the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Research undertaken in 2014 identified 26 sieges in its 1,100-year history, giving it a claim to having been “The most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world”.

Oxford Bar

The pub is not only Rebus’s local, but it’s also the favourite watering hole of his creator Sir Ian Rankin.

The 63-year-old author, who is releasing his 25th Rebus book later in 2024, has been a customer for over 30 years — he even considered buying the Young Street bar.

Fans trying to contact him regularly send letters to the pub, which Ian retrieves from behind the bar whenever he pops in for a pint.

Royal Mile

This cobblestoned road is probably the best known in the capital.

It runs between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Each year millions of tourists line the street to check out the good and the bad of the Edinburgh Festival street performers.

How can I watch Rebus?

Rebus dropped on Friday 17th May on BBC iPlayer.

The first episode aired on BBC Scotland on Friday 17th May at 10pm.

In England it was first broadcast on BBC One on Saturday 18th May at 9.25pm.

Fear not if you’ve missed it — all six episodes will remain available on iPlayer for over a year from the date they were first shown.