First look images of the new period crime drama ‘Bookish,’ with Mark Gatiss and Polly Walker

UKTV has shared a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, Bookish. The brand-new series was created by Emmy Award-winning writer Mark Gatiss (Sherlock). Gatiss has co-written Bookish, in addition to starring in the show, together with journalist and historian Matthew Sweet. The first season is produced by Eagle Eye Drama. The series will cover three cases, with each storyline getting two episodes.

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.  His wife Trottie (Polly Walker) runs a wallpaper shop nearby. Book and Trottie love each other deeply but 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 Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love) as Jack, Elliot Levey (We Were the Lucky Ones) as Inspector Bliss, Blake Harrison (World on Fire) as Sergeant Morris and Buket Kömür (Our House) as Nora.

The supporting cast members include Joely Richardson as Sandra Dare, Daniel Mays (The Long Shadow) as Eric Wellbeloved, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bodies, The Great) as Stewart Howard, 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.

When will it air?

Bookish will air on Alibi in 2025.