Rebus isn't the most likable protagonists (and that's a good thing)

Something that is clear just from the description of this younger John Rebus played by Richard Rankin is that he won’t be likable at first. That’s a good thing, especially if the show goes the way that it should.

Rebus arrives on Viaplay on Thursday, Nov. 7. This is not a series you want to miss, as it brings us a much younger and edgier Rebus than we’ve seen in the past. There are storylines that will make us wonder what we’d do, especially when it comes to family.

John Rebus is up to no good in the Rebus series premiere

The synopsis tells us what to expect when it comes to the opening of the show. Our titular character is at a psychological crossroads. One of his biggest flaws is being involved in affair with the wife of his disabled former police partner. Police partners end up as best friends, which means he’s sleeping with his best friend’s wife.

Tell me how that is a character we can support? On top of that, he struggles to handle the way the world is changing and the rules of the law. He’s supposed to be a police officer, and yet he’s wondering if an older set of rules are the ones to follow. Wasn’t this the old way of policing? Getting justice any ways necessary?

We could get to see some great character growth

One of the benefits of having a protagonist that you don’t really like is the opportunity in the writing. It allows us to see that the world isn’t all black and white. The good guys aren’t always the good guys. They make mistakes and they can choose to do bad things because they think it’s for the greater good—or even just because they want to.

There are sure to be a few people who see themselves in this character at times. Yet, if the show is done well, it would mean that we see growth for Rebus. He figures out the type of man he wants to be, even if it’s just for his ex-wife and daughter.

Seeing this sort of character growth is important on a TV show. Gone are the days where we want fairy tale characters. We need those who give us a real look at the world, but also offer hope that people can change when they want to or when they realize they need to. If done well, Rebus could offer that by starting us off with an unlikable protagonist.

Rebus is available on Viaplay starting Thursday, Nov. 7.

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