Bookish (TV series)
| Bookish | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Mystery Crime drama Period drama |
| Created by | Mark Gatiss |
| Written by | Mark Gatiss Matthew Sweet |
| Directed by | Carolina Giammetta |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Sarah Warne |
| Countries of origin | United Kingdom Belgium |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Mark Gatiss Carolina Giammetta Jo McGrath Walter Iuzzolino |
| Producer | Christopher Arcache |
| Running time | 48 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | U&Alibi |
| Release | 16 July 2025 – present |
Bookish is a British crime drama television series created by and starring Mark Gatiss. It was renewed for a second series prior to the broadcast of the first series.
Synopsis
[edit]An unconventional book shop owner, Gabriel Book, helps police solve crimes in 1946 London.[1] It also follows the story of Gabriel's marriage to Trottie; they are in a lavender marriage.[2] Book’s interest in Jack, a recently released petty criminal, whom he hires to work in the bookshop, is another thread through the first season.
Cast
[edit]Main cast
[edit]- Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book[3]
- Milo Thresher as Young Book
- Polly Walker as Trottie Book[3]
- Elodie Blomfield as Young Trottie
- Elliot Levey as Inspector Bliss[3]
- Connor Finch as Jack[3]
- Buket Kömür as Nora[3]
Guest cast
[edit]- Daniel Mays as Eric Wellbeloved[3]
- Blake Harrison as Sergeant Morris[4]
- Joely Richardson as Sandra Dare[3]
- Jonas Nay as Felix[3]
- Rosie Cavaliero as Mrs. Dredge[4]
- Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as Stewart Howard[4]
- Tom Forbes as Mickey Hall[4]
- Amanda Drew as Nerina Bean[4]
- Michael Workéyè as Billy[4]
- Ella Bruccoleri as Merula Harkup[4]
- Luke Norris as Jesse Mackendrick[4]
- Tim McInnerny as D
- Paul McGann as Mr. Kind
- Gerard Horan as Baseheart
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Slightly Foxed: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Polly Walker & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 2 | "Slightly Foxed: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss & Tim Morris | 16 July 2025 |
| 3 | "Deadly Nitrate: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 4 | "Deadly Nitrate: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 5 | "Such Devoted Sisters: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 6 | "Such Devoted Sisters: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
Production
[edit]The six-part series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama and is produced in association with Belgium-based Happy Duck Films. Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino are executive producers and the series is co-written by Mark Gatiss and Matthew Sweet. Carolina Giammetta is the director and Christopher Arcache is the producer.[6]
The cast is led by Gatiss, with Polly Walker, Elliott Levey, Connor Finch and Buket Kömür.[3] The cast also includes Blake Harrison, Rosie Cavaliero, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Tom Forbes, Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays, Amanda Drew, and Luke Norris.[4]
Filming got underway in Belgium in April 2024.[7] It was renewed for a second series prior to the broadcast of the first series.[8] Special guest stars confirmed for the second series include Ruth Codd, Jason Watkins, Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow, Rupert Graves, Claire Skinner and Youssef Kerkour.[9]
Gatiss revealed on Instagram that filming has officially wrapped on Season 2, which will have six episodes. It is expected to air in the U.K. sometime in the second half of 2026.
Broadcast
[edit]The series was broadcast on 16 July 2025 on U&Alibi[10] in the UK, and HBO Max in Australia.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Godfrey, Jake (11 April 2024). "Bookish - Mark Gatiss to co-write and star in crime drama for Alibi". Film Stories. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Hibbs, James (16 July 2025). "How to watch Bookish". Radio Times. Immediate Media. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Elliott, Dave (10 April 2024). "UKTV'S ALIBI ORDERS 'BOOKISH', NEW DETECTIVE DRAMA WRITTEN BY & STARRING MARK GATISS". Geek Town. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Filming begins on Bookish for Alibi". Advance Television. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Bookish (TV Series 2025-) Episode list - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse; Goldbart, Max (9 April 2024). "Mark Gatiss Writing & Starring In UKTV Drama About Crime-Solving Bookshop Owner". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Cremona, Patrick (29 April 2024). "Call the Midwife and Poldark stars join Mark Gatiss's new drama Bookish". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Warner, Sam (16 May 2025). ""Fiendish" British crime drama confirmed for second series ahead of the first even airing". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "BOOKISH: FIRST LOOK AND GUEST CAST ANNOUNCED FOR SECOND SERIES OF UKTV DRAMA FROM MARK GATISS". TV Zone UK. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
- ^ "Gatiss creates UKTV drama series Bookish". Televisual. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Northover, Kylie (15 July 2025). "Mark Gatiss is brilliant in this series – just don't call it cosy crime". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
External links
[edit]- 2025 British television series debuts
- 2020s British crime drama television series
- British detective television series
- Television series set in the 1940s
- Television shows set in London
- UKTV original programming
- British mystery television series
- British thriller television series
- English-language British television shows
- Television shows filmed in Belgium
- Television series by ITV Studios
- 2020s British LGBTQ-related drama television series
- Television series created by Mark Gatiss