UKTV today announces the re-commission of Bookish (6x70’) for specialist crime drama channel, U&alibi ahead of the first series premiering in July. A first look clip of the thrilling new drama (available here), created by Emmy Award-winning writer Mark Gatiss, has been released to coincide with the announcement. The series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, part of ITV Studios and, as international partner, Beta Film is handling the world sales, with PBS Distribution holding North American rights to series one.
Mark Gatiss continues to write and star 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.
Mark Gatiss said: “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. 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.”
Filming for the second series will get underway this summer, with more details to be shared in the coming months. The spin-off book, written by Matthew Sweet and also titled Bookish will be released on 17th July and will tell the crime stories from Nora’s perspective.
London 1946 is the setting for series one, with viewers introduced to the appropriately named Gabriel Book (Gatiss) who owns a bookshop in Archangel Lane. If his War was packed with espionage and secrets, Book’s Peace is just as full of adventure! Now he helps the police solve the strangest of crimes and the knottiest of murders. But his close association to the force is not without its dangers. For although he is very happily married to his childhood best friend, the captivating Trottie, Book is a gay man living at a time when homosexuality was illegal. When Book and Trottie take in Jack it seems like an act of altruism: a second chance for a young jailbird.And Jack proves a worthy assistant both in the shop and in Book’s murder investigations.
It soon becomes clear, however, that Jack’s appointment wasn’t quite as random as it at first appears…With a complex mystery at the heart of every story, featuring a wealth of well-known guest stars, marrying post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life affirming atmosphere of the times, Bookish is a stylish period detective drama with a difference.
Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning said: “Mark Gatiss is a singular creative force, whose work is loved by viewers. Bookish is the story Mark is most excited to tell and we are delighted to be bringing it to life. The world Mark has lovingly created for Bookish is so rich and colourful, series one was only ever going to be just the starting point. There’s so much more for Book to do, more characters for our viewers to meet and more stories to unravel - the potential for Bookish is vast. So, we can’t wait to continue working with Eagle Eye on series two and huge thanks to Mark for his limitless creative vision.”
Emma Tibbetts, director of programming, scripted added: “We can’t wait to return to the richly imaginative world of Bookish for a second series on U&alibi. Mark Gatiss has crafted another set of intriguing new stories for our audience, who will find themselves plunged further into the world of Gabriel Book, our intrepid bookseller on a mission to solve crimes. Viewers are in for a treat.”
Walter Iuzzolino, CEO of Eagle Eye Drama commented: “We are hugely proud and grateful to be given the opportunity to create the second series of Bookish. It was always our hope that the first series would be the foundation on which Mark could build a rich and growing universe of iconic stories, so being given the vote of confidence to create more unmissable mysteries for Gabriel Book and his gang to solve feels like an incredible privilege.”
Oliver Bachert, Beta Film’s Chief Distribution Officer: “We are delighted to continue our strong partnership with Eagle Eye and to see more of the witty, sharp, and brilliantly funny Mark Gatiss-led Bookish. The team delivered exceptional work on season one with top-tier writing, outstanding production value, and impeccable casting – and we’re very excited for what’s to come. As the international partner of such a compelling show, we look forward to season two and are confident its captivating story will enchant global audiences. With a series packed with incredibly witty and delightfully twisty crime cases, that is Bookish, you’re in for one unforgettable ride. Just as Mae West wisely said: ‘You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
The U&Original series has been commissioned by Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning for UKTV, and ordered by Emma Tibbetts, director of programming - scripted, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Executive producers for Eagle Eye Drama are Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino. The series is co-written with Matthew Sweet and Ian Hallard will be directed by Carolina Giammettaand produced by Jake Harvey.
Bookish is produced in association with Happy Duck Films and is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Publicity Manager, UKTV
Notes for Editors:
ABOUT U&ALIBI
Sky 109/826, Virgin 126/200, BT 312/382, TalkTalk 312, TV Player
On demand on Sky, Virgin, BT and TalkTalk
U&alibi is dedicated to TV crime drama. It inspects the best selection of UK premiere hit series and worldwide favourites including Annika, The Red King, Miss Scarlet, and Death in Paradise.
U&alibi is the only TV channel dedicated to crime drama, investigating the best selection from the genre and premiering hit series from around the world such as CSI: Vegas, So Help Me Todd, Dark Winds and Black Sands.
U&alibi’s offering of U&Original crime drama series give viewers guaranteed thrills, twists and turns through hit shows including Annika, starring Nicola Walker, Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston and We Hunt Together, starring Eve Myles and Babou Ceesay. Sophie Rundle also leads the cast in Barcelona-set drama, The Diplomat, while Anjli Mohindra, Marc Warren and Adjoa Andoh star in The Red King, from writer Toby Whithouse. 2025 will see series premieres of new seriesI, Jack Wright, Bookish and Mudtown.
U&alibi is also home to fan favourites, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Murdoch Mysteries and Hudson and Rex, and gives viewers another chance to catch hugely popular British crime dramas including Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Silent Witness.
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&eden, U&GOLD and U&alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
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About EAGLE EYE DRAMA
Eagle Eye Drama was formed by Walter Iuzzolino, Jo McGrath and Jason Thorp, the same three founders and creative team behind the global drama company Walter Presents. The company produces dramas and animations, based both on adaptations and original ideas. In 2022, Eagle Eye launched new Belgian based company Happy Duck Films.
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About BETA FILM:
A leading European independent film and television group, Beta produces, finances, and distributes television and film for the global market. With over 30.000 hours of content, we manage one of the largest libraries in Europe, including numerous Oscar and Emmy-winning productions. For 65 years, we have been nurturing strong partnerships with creatives, broadcasters, streamers, distributors, and festivals. As an experienced and independent player, we create alliances and hold stakes in over 40 production companies and distribution labels, while also operating special interest channels throughout Europe. Founded in 1959 by Leo Kirch and owned by Jan Mojto since 2004, Beta is based in Munich, Germany, with offices in the US, Latin America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe.