Bookish (TV series)
British television series (2025–present)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. A Christmas two-part special is due to air in December 2026, and a third series has been commissioned.[1]
| 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 | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| 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 |
Synopsis
An unconventional book shop owner, Gabriel Book, helps police solve crimes in 1946 London.[2] It also follows the story of Gabriel's marriage to Trottie; they are in a lavender marriage.[3] 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
Main cast
- Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book[4]
- Milo Thresher as Young Book
- Polly Walker as Trottie Book[4]
- Elodie Blomfield as Young Trottie
- Elliot Levey as Inspector Bliss[4]
- Connor Finch as Jack[4]
- Buket Kömür as Nora[4]
Guest cast
- Daniel Mays as Eric Wellbeloved[4]
- Blake Harrison as Sergeant Morris[5]
- Joely Richardson as Sandra Dare[4]
- Jonas Nay as Felix[4]
- Rosie Cavaliero as Mrs. Dredge[5]
- Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as Stewart Howard[5]
- Tom Forbes as Mickey Hall[5]
- Amanda Drew as Nerina Bean[5]
- Michael Workéyè as Billy[5]
- Ella Bruccoleri as Merula Harkup[5]
- Luke Norris as Jesse Mackendrick[5]
- Tim McInnerny as D
- Paul McGann as Mr. Kind
- Gerard Horan as Baseheart
- Simon Callow as E[6]
Series overview
Episodes
Series 1 (2025)
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [7] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Slightly Foxed: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Polly Walker & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 2 | 2 | "Slightly Foxed: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss & Tim Morris | 16 July 2025 |
| 3 | 3 | "Deadly Nitrate: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 4 | 4 | "Deadly Nitrate: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 5 | 5 | "Such Devoted Sisters: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
| 6 | 6 | "Such Devoted Sisters: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet | 16 July 2025 |
Series 2 (2026)
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [8] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "Momento Mori: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss | 26 August 2026 |
| 8 | 2 | "Momento Mori: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss | 26 August 2026 |
| 9 | 3 | "Dead Man's Whistle: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss and Mathew Sweet | 26 August 2026 |
| 10 | 4 | "Dead Man's Whistle: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss and Mathew Sweet | 26 August 2026 |
| 11 | 5 | "Killer Nacht: Part 1" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard | 26 August 2026 |
| 12 | 6 | "Killer Nacht: Part 2" | Carolina Giammetta | Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard | 26 August 2026 |
Christmas Special (2026)
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Crown of Destiny: Part 1" | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 2 | 2 | "The Crown of Destiny: Part 2" | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Production
The six-part first 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.[9]
The cast is led by Gatiss, with Polly Walker, Elliott Levey, Connor Finch and Buket Kömür.[4] The cast also includes Blake Harrison, Rosie Cavaliero, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Tom Forbes, Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays, Amanda Drew, and Luke Norris.[5]
Filming got underway in Belgium in April 2024.[10] It was renewed for a second series prior to the broadcast of the first series.[11] Special guest stars confirmed for the second series include Ruth Codd, Jason Watkins, Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow, Rupert Graves, Claire Skinner and Youssef Kerkour.[12]
Gatiss revealed on Instagram that filming has officially wrapped on Season 2, which will have six episodes. It airs in the U.K. on 26 August 2026.