Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss is the man behind many beloved shows. Whether it’s his work on Doctor Who or as a part of the acclaimed comedy troupe The League of Gentlemen, Gatiss is one of the finest creative minds in the UK. Following his recent appearance in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and ahead of his role in Fantastic Four: First Steps, Gatiss’ newest project on home soil has delivered a big new update, with fans finally receiving the synopsis for the upcoming Bookish.
A cozy British detective series with all the trimmings, Bookish will star Gatiss as an unconventional detective in Gabriel Book, an antiquarian bookshop owner living in 1946 post-war London. Alongside Gatiss, the series will include Bridgerton’s Polly Walker, Connor Finch as Book’s assistant Jack, Elliot Levey as Inspector Bliss, Blake Harrison as Sergeant Morris, Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays, and Paul McGann. “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 official synopsis begins. It continues:
“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.”
The Future of ‘Bookish’ Is Already Sealed
Set to premiere on U&Alibi in July, with a stateside release on PBS not yet given a date, Bookish is clearly filling higher-ups with confidence, as it has already received a second season renewal before the first has even aired. Both seasons are set to receive six episodes each, covering a single case over a two-episode span. Speaking about the renewal, Gatiss said in a statement, “I’m thrilled that the team at U&Alibi are allowing me to dive back into the world of Bookish and create more fiendish crimes for Gabriel Book and the team to solve.” He continued, “I can’t wait for viewers to immerse themselves in the world we’ve created when the first series airs in a few months’ time.”
Bookish is coming to U&Alibi this July. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for regular updates on the best of British television.
