There was a lot of excitement when Outlander’s Richard Rankin led the new Rebus series off the back of the period drama. It took a long time for the first season of the series to air in the U.S. due to changes with Viaplay, but it has been worth the wait.
However, I always worried about the chances of a second season. Viaplay, which originally picked up the series, opted to end shows that were outside of the Nordic countries. That immediately put the future of Rebus on the line, although it did eventually air the first season. It just meant that we knew a new home would be needed for season 2, unless there was a sudden uptick in viewership for the streamer to keep it going.
Well, the latest casting news for Rankin makes Rebus season 2 even more unlikely. Rankin has to do the best for his career.
Richard Rankin will be in The Forsytes season 2
The first season of The Forsytes hasn’t even premiered yet, but it has already landed a second season. PBS Masterpiece is excited about the new period drama, which is a reimagining of The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy. We’ll get to see the first season sometime in 2026, although it will premiere in the UK first later in 2025.
The second season has already started filming in and around Bristol, UK, according to PBS Masterpiece, with Ranking landing a role in the series. There are no details about the character that he’ll play, or whether he’s joining as a series regular or a recurring character. However, it makes it clear that he is looking to stay in work, while the future of Rebus remains in limbo.
Rebus needs to find someone to take it on for season 2
The problem for Rebus is that it lost the original home that put money into it. If Viaplay doesn’t want to keep going with British shows, then a new network is needed. Then there are a lot of questions about licensing that first season, because it doesn’t make sense for people to go to two streaming platforms.
On top of that, the series airs on a completely different network in the UK, where it was always going to get a bigger audience due to the show’s name recognition. The BBC could help to start the development of a second season, but it would need an international partner. Even if that partner is found, they'll have to hope that Rankin is still available!
So, I do worry about the future of Rebus. Despite the series being excellent and the first season keeping the door open for a new story, I suspect this series is a one-and-done.
Rebus is available to stream on Viaplay.
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