Mortal Causes (1 Nov. 2004)

The motto of the Scottish kings - Nemo mi impune lacessit ("Don't Mess With Me") sets the tone for this story. It's payback time for DI John Rebus in his pact with the crime under-lord ... See full summary »

Director:

David Moore

Writers:

Mark Greig, Ian Rankin (novel),

Stars:

John Hannah, Sara Stewart, Gayanne Potter

Cast

Episode credited cast:
John Hannah	...	DI John Rebus
Sara Stewart	...	DCI Gill Templar
Gayanne Potter	...	DS Siobhan Clarke
James Cosmo	...	Morris Gerald Cafferty
Michelle Fairley	...	Janice Mee
Michael Nardone	...	DI Martin Kilpatrick
Ashley Jensen	...	Mhairi Henderson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Russell Anderson	...	Lachlan Murdock
Eric Barlow	...	DS Ken Smylie
Barbara Barnes	...	Eleanor Moncur
James Bryce	...	Dr. Curt
Suzanne Dance	...	Estate Agent
Paul Doonan	...	Davey Soutar
Gregor Duncan	...	DS Calumn Smylie
Michelle Gomez	...	Caro Rattray

Storyline

The motto of the Scottish kings - Nemo mi impune lacessit ("Don't Mess With Me") sets the tone for this story. It's payback time for DI John Rebus in his pact with the crime under-lord Morris Gerald Cafferty for his finding the person who put Rebus' daughter in a life-threatening coma, the result of a hit-and-run accident. This time, it's Cafferty's illegitimate son who was "six-packed" and killed, and Cafferty is calling in his chips from Rebus. Rebus has to cope with a backdrop of gun running, jailbreaks, left- and right-wing extremists, nationalists and other splinter groups who are spouting racist philosophies, and imported white-power fanatics who are perpetrating hate crimes.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 2004 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clerkenwell Films, SMG Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode was scheduled for broadcast in the UK on 20 September 2001 but was withheld until 1 November 2004 because of the terrorist attacks on the USA of 11 September 2001 and the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. It was broadcast on digital-only channel ITV3 and so was not available to viewers who only have analogue televisions.

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Connections

Follows Rebus: The Hanging Garden (2000)

User Reviews

Good contrast between the parts of Edinburgh that tourists do and do not see

I read the book first and look forward to reading more by Ian Rankin. I, too, was surprised to see John Hannah as Rebus. He is too young and does not match the character in the book. He does, however, do a good job and I liked the show very much. When an actor creates a believable character, I can accept that the character may differ from the author's original character development. I am hooked on Rebus but will probably read more than watch the roles Rebus plays. I recently visited Edinburgh for the first time and already long to return. Perhaps, these books will be my only connection now that I am back in the States. I was introduced to Rankin's books while in Scotland and appreciate these opportunities to revisit my memories through books and videos.