Rebus season 2 is officially on the way after a nervous wait for fans. It's taken over a year, but the BBC has at last confirmed that Richard Rankin will return as a young DS John Rebus for a fresh case.
Set in Edinburgh, the six-part first series was based on the best-selling novels by Ian Rankin and received widespread critical acclaim. Richard Rankin gave the cop a wonderfully edgy vibe while also, at times, being rather witty. When asked to show his new partner Siobhan Clarke the ropes, Rebus quips: "There are no ropes, they went out with the last budget cut".
Rebus also got solid ratings, and the plot is perfectly set up for season 2 (we have some spoilers in our plot section).
Ian Rankin, Executive Producer, says: "Season 1 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, says: "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.”
Here's everything we know…
Rebus season 2 release date
Rebus season 2 is being filmed in the summer of 2025, so it looks like it will be released in early 2026, although that is still to be confirmed. For more great shows to enjoy, check out our best BBC dramas guide.
Cast
Richard Rankin is confirmed as returning as John Rebus. No other casting has been confirmed but we'd imagine Lucie Shorthouse will be back as Siobhan Clarke. We'd also expect Stuart Bowman to appear again as Rebus's top enemy, Ger Cafferty. Less clear is whether Brian Ferguson would return as Rebus's brother Michael.
Plot
OK, so spoilers ahead if you’ve not seen season 1… so the plot is superbly set up for a second season. Rebus's ex's new husband was shot dead in the final moments of episode 6, so the new series could see Rebus delve further into who was behind the killing and the Edinburgh drug scene. He also obviously has unfinished business with Ger Cafferty, whom he saved to stop his brother from going to prison. The second series might also reveal the fate of Rebus's brother, who has had to go into hiding after making the wrong enemies. On a personal front, how can Rebus cope with an ex-wife in bits over the shooting of her husband? And can he maintain any relationship with his daughter?
The makers have teased that it will explore the links between violent criminals involved in the drug trade in Edinburgh and the professional bourgeois world of law and finance, where police sometimes fear to tread."
Is there a trailer?
No not yet.
