Bookish is a stylish crime drama starring Mark Gatiss and Polly Walker. Set in London in 1946, the series is created by Mark Gatiss himself , and he's also the main star playing gay antique book seller Gabriel Book, who helps the police solve crimes by finding the answers to puzzles in the thousands of books that line his shelves.
Bridgerton's Polly Walker plays his wife Trottie while the show also boasts a stellar line-up of guest stars including Daniel Mays, Tim McInnerny, Joely Richardson and Jonas Nay.
"To misquote the movie Goodfellas: 'All my life I’ve wanted to be a detective!'," says Mark. "I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this series to the screen, and to plunge viewers into our intoxicating version of post-War London. It's an under-examined time and an under-examined world and Bookish is the strange, funny and thrilling show that I’ve always wanted to make."
Here's everything you need to know about U&Alibi's crime series Bookish…
Bookish release date
Bookish starts in the UK on the UKTV channel U&Alibi, with an opening double bill on Wednesday July 16 2025 at 8.10pm and 9pm. Double episodes will then run weekly each Wednesday at the same times. All six episodes are available as a full box set on Sky Box Sets and NOW from July 16.
Bookish got its worldwide premiere at the inaugural Italian Global Series Festival (IGSF) on Tuesday June 24 2025. The show will launch later on t.
US viewers can catch Bookish on PBS or see our handy guide on how to watch the show from around the world on the link below...
How to watch Bookish online or on TV from around the world
Is there a trailer?
Yes a Bookish trailer is released. Do take a look below...
Bookish plot
Bookish is set in London 1946 and follows the eccentric and unconventional Gabriel Book (Mark Gatiss) who owns an antique bookshop but is also a self-appointed detective to the local police, acquiring all the knowledge he needs from the books around him. Gabriel surrounds himself with loveable, damaged misfits who he informally protects, cajoles, and mentors. He cares deeply for his wife Trottie (Polly Walker) who runs the wallpaper shop next door. However, theirs is a "lavender marriage" designed to hide Gabriel’s sexuality at a time when it was illegal to be gay.
Gabriel is happily married to his childhood best friend Trottie in an arrangement that suits them both. However, when Book hires a new assistant, Jack (Connor Finch), who’s just been released from prison, what will he make of his boss’s unconventional set-up?
The two-part opening story, which guest stars Daniel Mays and Rosie Cavaliero, sees Book helping the police investigate the death of local chemist Mr Harkup. Inspector Bliss (Elliot Levy) assumes the death was a suicide, but Book isn’t sure, and gathers evidence suggesting Harkup was murdered.
Bookish cast — Mark Gatiss on playing Gabriel Book
Mark Gatiss plays the hero of Bookish — bookseller and sleuth Gabriel Book. "Post-war London is my favourite period," says Mark. 'It’s such an interesting time - the whole world has been turned upside down, and nobody knows their place any more. It’s very exciting, but also kind of frightening.
"Every detective has their own thing, and Book’s is that he can draw on all the world’s books - either physically, or in his head. It’s difficult to come up with something that hasn’t been done before, but the fact that he’s gay and in an arranged marriage is unusual!"
Mark Gatiss reveals his new series Bookish started as a book
* Mark Gatiss previously shot to fame with the comedy show The League of Gentlemen and has also starred in Nighty Night, Funland, Wolf Hall, Sherlock and Game of Thrones. He’s appeared in Doctor Who, Good Omens, 3 Body Problem, Operation Mincemeat, Nolly and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Polly Walker on playing Trottie Book
Look out for Polly Walker playing Gabriel’s colourful wife Trottie Book. She says: "All marriages are very different. It’s not a sexual marriage. They are best friends. They get on. They have a similar sense of humour, similar interests. That’s what unites them. I would say they are both outsiders. Trottie less obviously so but she is most definitely different and is prepared to be a bit of a crusader on some level for women. Not that she knows that. She just lives life how she wants to. I guess Book admires that.
"I was struck by Trottie's overwhelming warmth and generosity and positivity, which is nice because I often don’t play those sorts of parts. She is such a good egg without being sickly sweet. She’s her own person. Strangely it is a very good fit for me. I said to Mark Gatiss when I saw him, ‘I can’t believe that you’ve seen the goodness in me.’ My family does. My husband does. But generally, in casting I’ve played a lot of baddies."
* Polly Walker has previously starred in Bridgerton as Lady Featherington and played Delphine in Mr Selfridge. Polly has also starred in Line of Duty, Pennyworth, Prisoners Wives, Rome and The Syndicate.
Who else is starring in Bookish
Other cast in Bookish includes Connor Finch who plays Jack, while Elliot Levey is Inspector Bliss and Buket Kömür is Nora. Blake Harrison (Still Up, World on Fire) plays 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.
Paul McGann (Annika, Doctor Who) will star as Mr Kind in episodes 5 and 6, alongside Tim McInnerny (One Day, Ten Percent) as ‘D’, Elizabeth Berrington (Henpocalypse!, Fifteen-Love) as Sylvia Orr, Mark Umbers (Hotel Portofino) as Victor Orr and Angeliki Papoulia (The Lobster) as Princess Ruhije. Joely Richardson (The Gentlemen), Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders) and Jonas Nay are also guest starring in certain episodes.
Bookish episode guide
Here's a brief lowdown on the Bookish episodes which we'll be updating along the way....
Episode 1
It’s Jack’s first day as Book’s assistant. But excavation of a nearby bomb site means the business of bookselling takes an instant back seat. Because the bomb site is full of skeletons! Jack soon realises his new employer has an unexpected sideline: solving murders. Before Jack can even unpack, let alone get his head round Book’s eccentric filing method, another body is found - the local chemist, Harkup, is found poisoned in his shop. The affable Inspector Bliss thinks it’s suicide. Book has his doubts. Jack’s soon making tea for witnesses, examining clues and getting much closer to the police than a recently released prisoner might want to. Daniel Mays and Rosie Cavaliero are guest stars.
Episode 2
The investigation by Book and Bliss into the chemist’s death continues as Book discovers some surprising evidence in the case of the bombsite skeletons. With multiple suspects in the frame, a missing jade figurine, and an unexpected beneficiary in Harkup’s will, Book needs all his ingenuity and his crack team of helpers – Trottie, Jack, Nora and ever-helpful Labrador, Dog, to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. The Law must take its course. But over whom does the shadow of the gallows lie…? Tim McInnerny guest stars.
Episodes 3 to 6
Do check back here as we'll be updating very soon.
Behind the scenes, locations and more on Bookish
Bookish is filming in Belgium during 2024 and is a UKTV Original series that was commissioned by Helen Perry, head of drama for UKTV, and ordered by Emma Ayech, channel director for Alibi, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Executive producers for Eagle Eye Drama are Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino. The series is co-written with Matthew Sweet and is directed by Carolina Giammetta (Suspect S2, Hollington Drive) and produced by Christopher Arcache (Hotel Portofino). Bookish is produced in association with Happy Duck Films and is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter.
Helen Perry says: "UKTV is the home for writers’ passion projects, and we are so proud to be working with the exceptionally talented Mark Gatiss on his, along with the effervescent team at Eagle Eye. Mark’s unique detective thriller is full of wit and heart, with a central platonic love story that is sure to enthrall audiences. And because Book is a gay man, at a time when it was illegal to be so, we are proud that the drama shines a light on an important LGBTQ+ story. The star-studded cast Eagle Eye have already put together is tribute to the sure-fire hit Bookish is to become."
Emma Ayech adds: "The story and setting of this brand-new drama is perfect for the Alibi audience and I’m excited to see how the wonderful cast and crew bring it to life on screen. We have a wealth of UKTV original dramas coming down the track and I’m thrilled we’re adding this fantastic addition into the mix."
Jo McGrath, chief creative officer for Eagle Eye Drama, explains: "There are some characters, some ideas that just leap off the page and demand to be realised. Book, Trottie and the clever crimes Mark Gatiss has woven around the precinct of Archangel Lane is one of those projects. The answer to every crime can be found in a book and in Bookish, Mark Gatiss has created a unique, memorable and stand out new detective series."
Oliver Bachert, chief distribution officer, Beta Film commented: “With Bookish, we are thrilled to unveil a truly unique and compelling series that blends a classic detective story with the rich tapestry of post-war London, brought to life by the brilliant Mark Gatiss. With its mix of mystery, history, and heartfelt drama, it is another milestone in our successful partnership with Eagle Eye Drama. Bookish is sure to become a great example of a sophisticated crime drama and instant classic for audiences around the world. We're proud to bring this exciting series to the global stage."
