UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, Bookish (6×60’), created by and starring Mark Gatiss for specialist crime drama channel, Alibi.

It is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, with Beta Film handling international sales.

Mark Gatiss stars as the erudite and unconventional Gabriel Book who, from his antiquarian bookshop, helps the police to solve a variety of mysterious crimes. With three main cases in the series, each storyline spans two-episode instalments.

Further cast include Polly Walker (Bridgerton, Line of Duty) as Book’s colourful wife, Trottie, alongside Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love) as Jack, Elliot Levey (We Were the Lucky Ones, Quiz) as Inspector Bliss, Blake Harrison (Still Up, World on Fire) as Sergeant Morris and Buket Kömür (Our House) as Nora.

The series also features a wealth of guest stars including Joely Richardson as Sandra Dare, Daniel Mays (The Long Shadow, Code 404) as Eric Wellbeloved, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bodies, The Great) as Stewart Howard, Paul McGann (Annika, Doctor Who) as Mr Kind, Michael Workéyè (Playdate, This is Going to Hurt) as Billy Fox, Luke Norris (Poldark, The Girl Before) as Jesse MacKendrick, Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83, Concordia) as Felix and many more.

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.

Bookish marries post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life-affirming atmosphere of the times, creating a fast-paced and stylish detective drama.

Bookish is the latest U&Original series for Alibi and will air in 2025.

 

Pippa Considine

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