Is Rebus returning for season 2?

Set in Edinburgh, the six-part drama follows a younger version of detective sergeant John Rebus (Richard Rankin) as he’s drawn into a violent criminal conflict.

The detective drama has won over critics, with our review calling it "a fresh spin on the long-running franchise", while we also claim it's "much more than a crime drama", praising its focus on telling "a story about family, whatever form that may take, and whatever the demands our family, chosen or otherwise, place on us".

Addressing the potential of a second season of Rebus, cast member Rankin told the BBC ahead of the series premiere: "I hope people take out of it what we put in."

He continued: "The entire ensemble of cast and crew are immensely talented individuals who all brought their A-game to the series. I think that really shows.

"I hope audiences will develop an appetite for more, so that we can bring another series their way further down the line.

"I really hope that people will fall in love with Rebus in the same way that we have," he concluded.

So, Rankin might be hopeful that a second season of Rebus will come to fruition, but can fans actually expect another instalment? Read on for everything you need to know.

Will there be a Rebus season 2?

There's currently no word on the future of the crime thriller.

However, writer Gregory Burke has spoken about the joy he gets from working with creator Ian Rankin, saying: "The great advantage was, the first thing Ian said to me was, 'You can do anything you want.'

"As soon as I came up with the brother storyline and what he was going to be doing, Ian immediately said, 'I love that. I missed a trick with that in the books.' He was supportive of me all the way, and he really just let me get on with it."

With the mastermind behind the franchise showing such support, we expect there will be a push to continue developing these stories - but for now, this is pure speculation.

As soon as we have any information, we'll update this page.

When could a potential Rebus season 2 air?

If season 2 does get the nod, we wouldn't expect it to arrive until 2025 at least – likely from the second quarter onwards.

As for exactly when, your guess is as good as ours.

Who could return in a potential Rebus season 2?

If renewed for a second run, alongside Richard Rankin as John Rebus, other characters we'd expect to return are:

• Brian Ferguson as Michael Rebus
• Stuart Bowman as Ger Cafferty
• Lucie Shorthouse as DC Siobhan Clarke
• Amy Manson as Rhona Moncrieffe
• Mia McKenzie as Sammy
• Neshla Caplan as Chrissie Rebus
• Caroline Lee Johnson as DI Gill Templer
• Thoren Ferguson as Malcolm Fox, Professional Standards
• Noof Ousellam as Darryl Christie
• Michelle Duncan as Maggie Blantyre

There were a number of deaths in season 1, including Rhona's husband Lockie (Nick Rhys), who was shot dead in his own home (more on that later), so we wouldn't expect to see him return.

We'd expect to see some new faces, also.

What could happen in a potential Rebus season 2?

The first instalment wrapped up on a sombre note – with the door left open for a second season.

Rebus has got his family back, but not in the way he had hoped after Lockie was murdered by a masked gunman, who shot him immediately after he opened his front door.

Before the attack, the fund manager, who was involved in some dodgy dealings of his own, had threatened to take all of Darryl's money after the businessman/gangster had lost some of Lockie's cash.

But as you'd expect, Darryl didn't take kindly to being threatened and a short time later, Rhona's husband was murdered.

Meanwhile, Michael Rebus is on the run. He was going to hand himself in, but his wife Chrissie encouraged him to take the drug money he stole from Cafferty and flee.

But staying hidden is easier said than done when big Ger is out for blood. Michael also shot dead the nephew of Northern Irish gangster Billy Cochrane, who has links to the Ulster Defence Association, which means they'll want revenge also – which places everyone in Michael's life in danger.

Is there a trailer for a potential Rebus season 2?

First up, we need that all-important renewal.

If it does get the green light, the trailers will likely arrive in the month leading up to the premiere.

Rebus is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

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