BBC crime series hailed 'best show on TV' is perfect for Department Q fans

Another BBC series is winning over fans and it's available to stream for free right now. Based on the best-selling novels by Sir Ian Rankin, Rebus follows a tough-as-nails detective who solves crimes in Edinburgh.

The BBC show shares plenty of tropes with another Edinburgh-based show, Department Q, which proved to be a huge hit for Netflix earlier this year.

Netflix fans are therefore also likely to enjoy following the straight-talking John Rebus, who has a strong moral compass but isn't afraid to operate in shades of grey to crack cases.

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However, when his brother Michael steps over the line to provide for his family, Rebus finds himself embroiled in a violent criminal conflict. Torn between loyalty and duty, Rebus must choose whether to shield his ex-soldier brother or ensure justice prevails.

Alongside Rebus is DC Siobhan Clarke, who adopts a more modern, by-the-book method than her colleague. Despite their clashing personalities, the duo become trusted allies who depend on each other both professionally and personally.

The six-part series, which boasts a flawless rating on Rotten Tomatoes, was aired on BBC One in 2024 and can be streamed on iPlayer. Richard Rankin takes on the role of Rebus, with Lucie Shorthouse starring as his partner Siobhan, reports the Express.

Thoren Ferguson, Caroline Lee-Johnson, Sean Buchanan and Michelle Duncan also feature in the series. Rebus was given the green light for a second series in July 2025.

The programme is based on the Inspector Rebus novels, which kicked off with Knots and Crosses in 1987. The series spans 24 books in total, with the most recent instalment, A Heart Full of Headstones, hitting shelves in 2022.

Highly praised, Rankin's books have shifted more than 35 million copies across the globe and been translated into over 36 languages.

Rankin is considered amongst the finest writers in the genre, with his works sparking numerous adaptations across various media platforms.

Fans have rushed online to heap praise on Rebus, with one penning: "Binged the series. Loved the books, this series is brilliant. Masterpiece.

"Best show on TV that I have seen in years. Storyline, characters and dialogue, was brilliant. Well done BBC," proclaimed a second.

Another agreed: "As a long time reader of the Rebus books and a couple of not so good non - Rebus books by one of the best ever authors of this genre; Ian Rankin. This BBC production has superb atmospheric, damp , greyish look to Edinburgh with the majority of camera time spent on the dialogue and characters."

A fourth commented: "Rebus - excellent and second series on the way - if you like a dark detective show - a cross between Taggart, Case Histories & Line of Duty."

Another shared: "Could I please request that my @BBC TV Licence fee for the next 10 years is spent on Series 2 of Rebus. By far one of the best series I have seen in years. Thank you."

Rebus is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.