Filming underway and casting confirmed of new Mark Gatiss and Polly Walker 1940s detective drama ‘Bookish’

UKTV has confirmed that filming has begun in Belgium on its new six-part detective drama Bookish, an original series created for the Alibi channel. Mark Gatiss created the series, wrote the script and plays the main character, Gabriel Book.  

What is it about?

Set in London in 1946, the series is based around Gabriel Book, a bookshop owner who also does a sideline in consulting – occasionally helping the police to solve mysterious crimes. The series will cover three cases, with each storyline getting two episodes. 

The eccentric Gabriel Book (Gatiss) at the very heart of the series: a self-appointed consultant detective to the local police. Book is surrounded by an assortment of “loveable, damaged misfits who he informally protects, cajoles and mentors.” His wife Trottie (Polly Walker) runs a wallpaper shop nearby. She’s a charming woman with a taste for adventure. Book loves Trottie deeply but not physically, as theirs is a marriage of convenience, designed to cover up the fact that Gabriel is gay.

Who is in the cast?

Mark Gatiss and Polly Walker are joined by Paul McGann (Annika, Doctor Who), who will star as Mr Kind in episodes 5 and 6, alongside Tim McInnerny (One Day, Ten Percent) as ‘D’ , Elizabeth Berrington (Fifteen-Love) as Sylvia Orr, Mark Umbers (Hotel Portofino) as Victor Orr and Angeliki Papoulia (The Lobster) as Princess Ruhije.

Who is behind it?

The series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama in association with Happy Duck Films and is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter.

Executive producers for Eagle Eye Drama are Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino. The series is co-written with Matthew Sweet and will be directed by Carolina Giammetta (Suspect S2, Hollington Drive) and produced by Christopher Arcache (Hotel Portofino).

When will it air?

Bookish will air on Alibi in 2025.