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.
Contents
Synopsis
An unconventional book shop owner, Gabriel Book, helps police solve crimes in 1946 London. It also follows the story of Gabriel's marriage to Trottie; they are in a lavender marriage. 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
Polly Walker as Trottie Book
Elliot Levey as Inspector Bliss
Connor Finch as Jack
Buket Kömür as Nora
Blake Harrison as Sergeant Morris
Recurring cast
Rosie Cavaliero as Mrs. Dredge
Gerard Horan as Baseheart
Nadia Albina as Dr. Calder
Jonas Nay as Felix
Tim McInnerny as D (series 1)
Simon Callow as E (series 2)
Rupert Graves as Colonel Reggie Winters (series 2)
Guest cast
Daniel Mays as Eric Wellbeloved
Ella Bruccoleri as Merula Harkup
Tom Forbes as Mickey Hall
Joely Richardson as Sandra Dare
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as Stewart Howard
Amanda Drew as Nerina Bean
Luke Norris as Jesse Mackendrick
Michael Workéyè as Billy
Paul McGann as Mr. Kind
Angeliki Papoulia as Princess Ruhije
Rina Krasniqi as Princess Nafije
Mark Umbers as Victor Orr
Elizabeth Berrington as Sylvia Orr
Jason Watkins as Harold Sneed
Saffron Coomber as Ayesha
Sorcha Groundsell as Geraldine Mercer
Sid Sagar as Professor Chopra
Youssef Kerkour as Yusuf
Allan Corduner as Maxie Kleinmann
Liza Sadovy as Ruth Kleinmann
Oli Fyne as Hannah Krasinski
Claire Skinner as Mrs. Calthrop
Ruth Codd as India Flynn
Episodes
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.
The cast is led by Gatiss, with Polly Walker, Elliott Levey, Connor Finch and Buket Kömür. The cast also includes Blake Harrison, Rosie Cavaliero, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Tom Forbes, Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays, Amanda Drew, and Luke Norris.
Filming got underway in Belgium in April 2024. It was renewed for a second series prior to the broadcast of the first series. Special guest stars confirmed for the second series include Ruth Codd, Jason Watkins, Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow, Rupert Graves, Claire Skinner and Youssef Kerkour.
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 in the UK, and HBO Max in Australia.