EVEN for Ian Rankin’s fictional detective, Rebus, the evidence is overwhelming: SMG Productions’ dramatisation of the Rebus detective series – with four, brand new episodes, which concluded on Friday evening – have proven a ratings winner.
Based on four of Rankin’s bestselling novels – The Black Book, A Question of Blood, Strip Jack and Let it Bleed – and starring Ken Stott and Claire Price, the episodes pulled in some big audience figures.
Made in Scotland, set in Edinburgh and broadcast across the UK, on ITV1, Rebus achieved an audience share of nearly 30 per cent across the UK network, ie an average of 5.4 million viewers.
Each episode ‘won its slot’, beating programmes such as BBC1’s Magnolia, BBC2’s Ryder Cup coverage and Channel 4’s Star Stories.
And not surprisingly, the figures were even higher in Scotland, with The Black Book and Let it Bleed both achieving an audience share of over 40 per cent.
