Bookish is a British crime drama television series created by and starring Mark Gatiss. It was renewed for a second series prior to the broadcast of the first series.
An unconventional book shop owner, Gabriel Book, helps police solve crimes in 1946 London. It also follows the story of Gabriel's marriage to Trottie; they are in a lavender marriage. BookâÂÂs interest in Jack, a recently released petty criminal, whom he hires to work in the bookshop, is another thread through the first season.
The six-part series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama and is produced in association with Belgium-based Happy Duck Films. Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino are executive producers and the series is co-written by Mark Gatiss and Matthew Sweet. Carolina Giammetta is the director and Christopher Arcache is the producer.
The cast is led by Gatiss, with Polly Walker, Elliott Levey, Connor Finch and Buket Kömür. The cast also includes Blake Harrison, Rosie Cavaliero, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Tom Forbes, Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays, Amanda Drew, and Luke Norris.
Filming got underway in Belgium in April 2024. It was renewed for a second series prior to the broadcast of the first series.
The series has a 16 July 2025 airdate on U&Alibi in the UK, and HBO Max in Australia.
In the US, it debuted on PBS on 11 January 2026.