With a new TV adaptation of Sir Ian Rankin’s John Rebus novels due to start filming within months, focusing on the character in his 30s in modern-day Edinburgh, we take a look at which actor could be chosen for the role of the famous Capital cop. While John Hannah and Ken Stott played the role in the previous TV adaptations of Rebus, we’ve been looking at younger actors who could take on the reimagined detective in a new six-part series on Scandinavian streaming giant Viaplay, written by Rankin and fellow Fifer, playwright and screenwriter Gregory Burke.
The Swedish company, which has unveiled Rebus as its first UK drama production, has billed it as “an unforgettable show with Scottish roots, international appeal and universal themes”. The main character will be around the same age on screen as he was in the first Rebus novel in 1987, a role most actors would be desperate to get their teeth into.
5. Martin Compston
Greenock-born actor Martin Compston shot to fame thanks to his starring role in Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen in 2002. The 38-year-old has gone on to enjoy a successful career, appearing in movies including The Wee Man, where he played notorious Glasgow gangster Paul Ferris, and Mary Queen of Scots. He has enjoyed more success on our television screens, most notably as DI Steve Arnott in the hit BBC police drama Line of Duty, and most recently as the lead role in ITV drama Our House. Photo: fg
6. James McAvoy
Having already won plaudits when he played an Edinburgh detective in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's Filth, James McAvoy will be seen by many as perfect for the role of Rebus. The Glasgow-born 43-year-old has appeared on our television screens in many eye-catching roles including on Shameless and His Dark Materials but is now more famous as a film star thanks to his roles in Split, Last King of Scotland, Atonement and his performance as Professor Charles Xavier in the superhero film X-Men: First Class, a role he reprised in X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool 2, and Dark Phoenix.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Photo: Mike Hewitt
7. George MacKay
Yes, he isn't Scottish, but 30-year-old Londoner George MacKay is one of the hottest actors at the moment and could be a big star for the reimagined Rebus. He also produced a rather convincing Edinburgh accent for his part in the movie musical Sunshine on Leith. Starting out as a child actor in Peter Pan in 2003, he won a BAFTA Scotland Award for his role in the 2013 film For Those in Peril and played the lead in award-winning First World War film 1917. Pictured: George MacKay as Lance Corporal William Schofield in 1917. Photo PA. Photo: -
8. Iain De Caestecker
Iain De Caestecker is best known for portraying Leopold Fitz/The Doctor in the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The 34-year-old recently appeared in the hit BBC drama The Control Room. He is also known for his roles in Coronation Street as Adam Barlow and the films Shell, In Fear, Not Another Happy Ending, Lost River, and Overlord.
Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures. Photo: Rick Kern