Inside Richard Rankin’s private life as he steps into shoes of detective Rebus-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

Richard Rankin is about to star in the latest Rebus adaptation (Picture: BBC/Viaplay /Eleventh Hour/Mark)

Nearly 25 years after first being turned into a TV series, the Inspector Rebus novels have again been adapted for the screen.

Written by Scottish author Ian Rankin, the first novel Knots and Crosses was released in 1987, with another 23 released since then.

The book series, which follows Detective Inspector John Rebus and is mostly based in and around Edinburgh, accounts for an estimated 10% of all crime book sales in the UK, with each routinely selling half a million copies.

In 2000 the TV show, starring John Hannah as the title character was released, and went on to run until 2007, with Ken Stott playing the lead in the subsequent three seasons.  

Now it is coming back, but this version is starring Richard Rankin, best known for previously starring in Outlander.

Here’s what we know about the actor before he steps into the shows of the famed police detective.

Who is Richard Rankin?

The Scottish actor, 41, is from Glasgow (Picture: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)

Born in Rutherglen, Scotland, in 1983, Richard Harris spent part of his childhood in Glasgow, one of four boys born to a father on the police force and a mother in the hotel industry.

Although he initially planned a career in the sciences or Information Technology, a chance encounter during a holiday to Los Angeles changer his course.

While at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a film producer told Richard he had the look of an actor, after which he returned to Glasgow and auditioned for Langside College.

He later began using his mother’s maiden name to avoid confusion with Irish actor Richard Harris.

What other TV shows and movies has he been in?

He previously appeared in Outlander (Picture: Starz!/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

Richard’s first acting role was in the Scottish video game show VideoGaiden in 2006.

Between 2007 and 2010 he made appearances on Legit, The Old Guys and Taggart, as well as comedy series Burnistoun.

He was then cast in WWI mini-series The Crimson Field, then appearing in Silent Witness, American Odyssey, The Syndicate and From Darkness.

However, it was in 2015 that his career reached new heights when cast as Roger Wakefield in Outlander.

He first appeared in the 2016 season two finale and then in several episodes of season three, playing the love interest of Brianna Fraser.

Since then he’s also starred in The Replacement, The Last Kingdom, Midsomer Murders and Trust Me.

He played Roger Wakefield in the hit series (Picture: Starz!/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

He’s also appeared in various film, theatre, radio and podcast projects too.

Last year it was announced he had been cast in Rebus.

‘I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Rebus,’ he said at the time.

‘I’m a big fan of the series and Sir Ian Rankin. I feel very lucky to be given the honour of bringing such an iconic Scottish character back to TV screens and will give all I have to do it justice.’

The author backed him ‘bringing the character to life’, adding: ‘He’s the perfect fit for the role, and not just because we coincidentally share the same surname.’

Is he married?

He is dating an Australian designer (Picture: BBC/Viaplay/Eleventh Hour/Graeme Hunter)

Richard is not married but is dating Australian sleepwear designer Sammie Russell.

He was recently pictured at the season 7 Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival with his girlfriend, Sammie Russell, the founding director of Dream With Me.

He was previously linked Cara Theobold while they were shooting for BBC One drama The Syndicate, however they never confirmed a romance.

Rebus airs tonight at 10pm on BBC Scotland and on Saturday at 9:25pm on BBC One. All episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer.

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