Bookish (TV series)

Bookish
GenreMystery
Crime drama
Period drama
Created byMark Gatiss
Written byMark Gatiss
Matthew Sweet
Directed byCarolina Giammetta
Starring
Theme music composerSarah Warne
Countries of originUnited Kingdom
Belgium
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersMark Gatiss
Carolina Giammetta
Jo McGrath
Walter Iuzzolino
ProducerChristopher Arcache
Running time48 minutes
Production companies
  • Eagle Eye Drama
  • Happy Duck Films
Original release
NetworkU&Alibi
Release16 July 2025 (2025-07-16) –
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. A Christmas two-part special is due to air in December 2026, and a third series has been commissioned.[1]

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

Guest cast

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
1616 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
2626 August 2026 (2026-08-26)

Episodes

Series 1 (2025)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [7]
11"Slightly Foxed: Part 1"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Polly Walker & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
22"Slightly Foxed: Part 2"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss & Tim Morris16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
33"Deadly Nitrate: Part 1"Carolina GiammettaTim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
44"Deadly Nitrate: Part 2"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
55"Such Devoted Sisters: Part 1"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
66"Such Devoted Sisters: Part 2"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)

Series 2 (2026)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [8]
71"Momento Mori: Part 1"TBCTBC26 August 2026 (2026-08-26)
82"Momento Mori: Part 2"TBCTBC26 August 2026 (2026-08-26)
93"Dead Man's Whistle: Part 1"TBCTBC26 August 2026 (2026-08-26)
104"Dead Man's Whistle: Part 2"TBCTBC26 August 2026 (2026-08-26)
115"Killer Nacht: Part 1"TBCTBC26 August 2026 (2026-08-26)
126"Killer Nacht: Part 2"TBCTBC26 August 2026 (2026-08-26)

Christmas Special (2026)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [1]
11"The Crown of Destiny: Part 1"TBATBATBA
22"The Crown of Destiny: Part 2"TBATBATBA

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.

Broadcast

The series was broadcast on 16 July 2025 on U&Alibi[13] in the UK, and HBO Max in Australia.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mark Gatiss Drama 'Bookish' Returning For Third Chapter & Festive Special". deadline.com. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Godfrey, Jake (11 April 2024). "Bookish - Mark Gatiss to co-write and star in crime drama for Alibi". Film Stories. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  3. ↑ Hibbs, James (16 July 2025). "How to watch Bookish". Radio Times. Immediate Media. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Elliott, Dave (10 April 2024). "UKTV'S ALIBI ORDERS 'BOOKISH', NEW DETECTIVE DRAMA WRITTEN BY & STARRING MARK GATISS". Geek Town. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Filming begins on Bookish for Alibi". Advance Television. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Mark Gatiss reveals Simon Callow's new Bookish character and his link to a key season 1 figure". radiotimes.com. 24 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Bookish (TV Series 2025-) Episode list - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Bookish (TV Series 2025-) Episode list - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ Cremona, Patrick (29 April 2024). "Call the Midwife and Poldark stars join Mark Gatiss's new drama Bookish". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "Gatiss creates UKTV drama series Bookish". Televisual. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  14. ↑ 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.
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