This is the first episode of Rebus that I've seen: I missed the earlier ones which were shown in 2000/2001. This episode was made at the same time and was scheduled to be shown in September 2001... then 9/11 intervened and the episode was postponed and was only shown in the UK in November 2004.
"Mortal Causes" is a very good and gripping adaptation of Ian Rankin's novel, but it is spoiled a bit by the casting of John Hannah as Rebus. In the books, Rebus is described as being world-weary, probably a bit (a lot?) overweight and aged in his fifties. Unfortunately John Hannah is too lean, "smooth" and young to be a convincing Rebus. I'd opt for someone like Ken Stott (Messiah, Promoted To Glory) to play the character: he's the right age, has an authentic accent (to my untutored English ears!) and has the right, slightly dishevelled roughness to play Rebus perfectly.
"Mortal Causes" is a very good and gripping adaptation of Ian Rankin's novel, but it is spoiled a bit by the casting of John Hannah as Rebus. In the books, Rebus is described as being world-weary, probably a bit (a lot?) overweight and aged in his fifties. Unfortunately John Hannah is too lean, "smooth" and young to be a convincing Rebus. I'd opt for someone like Ken Stott (Messiah, Promoted To Glory) to play the character: he's the right age, has an authentic accent (to my untutored English ears!) and has the right, slightly dishevelled roughness to play Rebus perfectly.