Bookish marries post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life-affirming atmosphere of the times.
Actor, writer, bon viveur. Mark Gatiss has enjoyed a remarkable career so far, from his comedy origins in The League of Gentlemen to acclaim on the West End stage.
He also writes, directs and produces, with a string of Doctor Who episodes to his name as well as numerous festive ghost stories. Oh, and then there’s the incredible success of Sherlock too.
His next starring role is tailor made – as he both both writes and stars as the erudite and unconventional Gabriel Book in Bookish. From his antiquarian bookshop, Book helps the police to solve a variety of mysterious crimes in what’s described as a “… a fast-paced and stylish detective drama.”
Here’s the synopsis for Bookish:
London, 1946, is the dynamic, dangerous and chaotic setting for this stylish new detective drama, with the whip-smart and debonair Gabriel Book (Gatiss) at the very heart of the story: a maverick 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 to solve even the most puzzling of crimes.
Book has gathered around him a host of lovable, damaged misfits whom he informally protects, cajoles, and mentors. His wife Trottie (Walker) 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.
Alibi have revealed a batch of first-look images for Bookish.
Joining Gatiss are Polly Walker (Line of Duty) as Book’s colourful wife, Trottie, with Connor Finch (Professor T) as Jack. Plus, Elliot Levey (Quiz) as Inspector Bliss, Blake Harrison (Still Up) as Sergeant Morris and Buket Kömür (Our House) as Nora.
Series guest stars include Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Paul McGann, Michael Workéyè, Luke Norris and Jonas Nay.
Created and written by Mark Gatiss, the show comes from producer Eagle Eye Drama.
We can look forward to three main cases across the six-part series, with each story spanning two-episodes. Presumably, that means a few juicy cliff-hangers too!
The series will air on Alibi in 2025.