In an interview on 15 January 2011 with the Scottish newspaper "The Daily Record", John Hannah said that he thought he had been mis-cast as Rebus: "I wasn't sure if I was right for it. Ian Rankin gave me his blessing though and I don't think I did a bad job. But I wasn't the critics' or fans' image of the character so it never really worked out. I actually wanted Peter Mullan but ITV wouldn't commission him. They would only do it with me because ITV are very short-sighted - they look at who's hot and then decide that's who they'll go with, regardless of whether that person is right for the part."