Table of contents
- Key Takeaways
- Highlights
- Cast And Characters
- Premise And Themes
- Production And Renewal
- Release Information
- Sources
Mark Gatiss’s new detective drama Bookish has received its first trailer, offering a tantalising glimpse into post-war London and the eccentric sleuth Gabriel Book. Set to premiere on 16th July on U&Alibi, the series promises stylish investigations, a star-studded cast, and a second season already in the works.
Key Takeaways
- First trailer for Bookish released, showcasing Mark Gatiss as bookshop-owner detective.
- Series premieres on U&Alibi on 16th July, with six episodes.
- Renewed for a second series before first episode airs.
- Stars Polly Walker, Connor Finch, with guest appearances from Daniel Mays, Joely Richardson.
- A spin-off book is also planned.
Trailer Highlights
The newly unveiled trailer dives straight into 1946 London, blending post-war nostalgia with brisk, stylish crime scenes.
- Crime Scenes: Gabriel Book (Gatiss) and Trottie (Walker) attend a mysterious death “in suspicious circumstances”.
- Signature Style: Book urges officers to “leave nothing out, especially if it’s salacious, gory, or vaguely scandalous.”
- Supporting Cast Moments: Brief shots of Daniel Mays, Rosie Cavaliero and Joely Richardson hint at varied cases.
Cast And Characters
Mark Gatiss headlines as Gabriel Book, a maverick detective whose bookshop shelves hold the key to the knottiest crimes.
- Gabriel Book (Mark Gatiss) – Consultant sleuth.
- Trottie (Polly Walker) – Book’s wife and wallpaper-shop owner; their “lavender marriage” conceals his homosexuality.
- Jack (Connor Finch) – Ex-con assistant, recruited unexpectedly.
- Guest Stars – Daniel Mays, Rosie Cavaliero, Joely Richardson, Paul McGann, among others.
Premise And Themes
Set in the bustling, often dangerous streets of post-war London, the series marries period charm with crime drama conventions:
- Setting: London, 1946; a dynamic backdrop of rationing, rebuilding and secretive undercurrents.
- Tone: Fast-paced and stylish, with a touch of humour and scandal.
- Themes: Friendship, justice, hidden identities, and the social pressures of the era.
Production And Renewal
Bookish is created, written by and starring Gatiss, produced by U&Original for U&Alibi.
- Episode Structure: Six episodes in series one, with each two-episode block focusing on a single case.
- Second Series: Commissioned before the first series airs; mirrored structure of six episodes.
- Spin-Off Book: A tie-in novel is slated for release, expanding on the series’ universe.
Release Information
Bookish will premiere on 16th July on U&Alibi. Viewers can expect weekly episode drops, immersing them in both new mysteries and the evolving dynamic of Book’s Books.
Sources
- Mark Gatiss stars in quirky first trailer for new detective drama Bookish, Radio Times.
- first trailer for Mark Gatiss’ new detective series, CultBox.
- Bookish trailer sees Mark Gatiss as bookshop owner-turned-detective, Flickering Myth.