Bookish (TV series)

Last updated

Bookish
Screenplay by Mark Gatiss
Matthew Sweet
Directed by Carolina Giammetta
Starring
Theme music composerSarah Warne
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Belgium
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersJo McGrath
Walter Iuzzolino
ProducerChristopher Arcache
Running time48 minutes
Production companies
  • Eagle Eye Drama
  • Happy Duck Films
Original release
Network U&Alibi
Release16 July 2025 (2025-07-16) 
present

Bookish is a British crime drama television series from Mark Gatiss. It was renewed for a second series prior to the broadcast of the first series.

Contents

Synopsis

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]

Cast

Main cast

Guest cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [5]
1"Slightly Foxed: Part 1"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Polly Walker & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
2"Slightly Foxed: Part 2"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss & Tim Morris16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
3"Deadly Nitrate: Part 1"Carolina GiammettaTim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
4"Deadly Nitrate: Part 2"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
5"Such Devoted Sisters: Part 1"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)
6"Such Devoted Sisters: Part 2"Carolina GiammettaMark Gatiss, Tim Morris & Matthew Sweet16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)

Production

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]

Broadcast

The series has a 16 July 2025 airdate on U&Alibi [9] in the UK, and HBO Max in Australia [10] .

References

  1. Godfrey, Jake (11 April 2024). "Bookish - Mark Gatiss to co-write and star in crime drama for Alibi". Film Stories. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  2. Hibbs, James (16 July 2025). "How to watch Bookish". Radio Times. Immediate Media. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  3. 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.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Filming begins on Bookish for Alibi". Advance Television. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  5. "Bookish (TV Series 2025-) Episode list - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  6. 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.
  7. Cremona, Patrick (29 April 2024). "Call the Midwife and Poldark stars join Mark Gatiss's new drama Bookish". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  8. 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.
  9. "Gatiss creates UKTV drama series Bookish". Televisual. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  10. 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.