ONE of Scottish fiction's most famous characters is to finally make the move from the page to the stage – starring the actor who played Coronation Street's Jim McDonald.
Ian Rankin's iconic detective, Inspector Rebus, is to tread the boards for the first time in a new play written by Rankin and the leading Scottish playwright Rona Munro – with Charles Lawson in the title role.
The new story, entitled Long Shadows, is to be part of the autumn season of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
After its run in Birmingham, the show will tour, the theatre said, with a plan for it to be staged in Edinburgh, although details have yet to be confirmed.
READ MORE: Author Ian Rankin hints that end is nigh for Edinburgh detective Inspector Rebus
Roxana Silbert, director of the company, said she was "particularly proud" that Rankin, and in another production, of Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones, had "entrusted us with bringing their stories to life in Birmingham."
The world premiere of Rebus: Long Shadows will be on September 20.
The plot of the play is not adapted from an existing book, but is a new mystery.
Rankin said: "I've long wanted to see John Rebus on a theatre stage, and it was such a privilege to work with Rona Munro in fashioning a brand new story that could best be told 'in the flesh'.
"Having lived with Rebus for over thirty years, I know that he has cast many long shadows, but this time those same shadows threaten to engulf him in a story that is tense, gripping, deep and thoughtful.
"I hope audiences will agree."
READ MORE: Author Ian Rankin hints that end is nigh for Edinburgh detective Inspector Rebus
Munro, writer of The James Plays for the National Theatre of Scotland, said: "Adapting one of the most iconic characters in detective fiction was both daunting and exhilarating.
"It was a collaborative process that completely depended on Ian Rankin’s generosity in sharing the man he made and knows so well.
"We hope that audiences who also know Rebus will see him live, and that audiences who’ve never met the man are in for an exciting introduction."
Rebus: Long Shadows will be directed by Roxana Silbert.
Lawson, from Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, first appeared in Coronation Street in 1989, and was a regular character for the next 11 years.
He is known primarily for his work on television, also appearing in Doctors, Bread, The Bill and the television film The Firm.
Tickets for Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Autumn and Winter 2018 season go on sale on Monday 16 April.
Inspector Rebus has had a varied life as a character in adaptations away from Rankin's books.
John Hannah first played the role in the TV series, before being succeeded as Ken Stott for a further three series, which ran between 2000 and 2007.
READ MORE: Author Ian Rankin hints that end is nigh for Edinburgh detective Inspector Rebus
Ron Donachie starred as Rebus in several BBC Radio 4 dramatisations.
It has been reported that Rebus is due to return to the small screen.
Last year, Eleventh Hour Films announced that it had acquired the television rights to the best selling crime novels.
Writer Gregory Burke said he was adapting the novels for TV, according to the production company.
The Scottish playwright won plaudits for his play Black Watch and for his screenplay for the critically-acclaimed film '71.
Eleventh Hour Films said he will work up a "bold and visionary take for a contemporary international TV audience".
READ MORE: Author Ian Rankin hints that end is nigh for Edinburgh detective Inspector Rebus
Mr Burke added: "It is an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to work on adapting an iconic character like John Rebus for television.
"As someone who has grown up and lives in south east Scotland, Ian Rankin's best-selling books provide the perfect material to make a thrilling series about crime in the modern world."
Rankin at the time said that he had his "fingers crossed" that actor Ken Stott would reprise his role as the detective.
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