As filming begins on new crime drama ‘Bookish‘, written by and starring Mark Gatiss, UKTV’s Alibi channel has announced some further casting for the series.
London, 1946 is the dynamic, dangerous and chaotic setting for this stylish new detective drama, with the eccentric Gabriel Book (Gatiss) at the very heart of the story: a self-appointed consultant detective to the local police. The thousands of books that line the shelves of his shop provide him with all the knowledge he needs.
Book has gathered around him a host of lovable, damaged misfits whom he informally protects, cajoles, and mentors. His wife Trottie (Polly Walker – Bridgerton, Line of Duty) runs the wallpaper shop next door. She’s a charismatic adventuress whom Book loves deeply but not physically, for they are in a ‘lavender’ marriage to help conceal Book’s sexual orientation in a time when it was illegal to be gay.
Bookish marries post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life-affirming atmosphere of the times, creating a fast-paced and stylish detective drama.
Joining the previously announced cast of Gatiss and Walker, are Blake Harrison (Still Up, World on Fire) who joins the returning core cast members as Sergeant Morris, with Rosie Cavaliero (The Power of Parker, Funny Woman), Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bodies, The Great), Tom Forbes (Champion, Rules of the Game), Amanda Drew (The Gold, Wolf) Luke Norris (Poldark, The Girl Before), Ella Bruccoleri (Call the Midwife, Passenger) and Michael Workéyè (Playdate, This is Going to Hurt) confirmed to guest star.
Bookish will also feature a wealth of guest stars, including Joely Richardson (The Gentleman, The Ballad of Renegade Nell), Daniel Mays (The Long Shadow, Code 404) and Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83, Concordia). Other returning core cast members include Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love) as Jack, Olivier award-winner Elliot Levey (We Were the Lucky ones, Quiz) as Inspector Bliss and Buket Kömür (Our House) as Nora.
Mark Gatiss writes and stars in the drama. With three main cases in the six-episode series, each storyline spans two-episode instalments. The series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama and filming is now underway in Belgium. As international partner, Beta Film is handling the world sales.
‘Bookish‘ Season 1 does not have a premiere date but will air on Alibi in 2025. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
