Paul McGann Joins Alibi's 'Bookish' As US Distribution Deal Nears

Bookish may be one of the most PBS-coded shows to come out of the U.K. The series, which stars PBS fan-favorites Mark Gatiss (Moonflower Murders) and Polly Walker (Bridgerton), focuses on a gay bookshop owner in post-war London who uses his love of reading (and his easy access to a wide variety of research information) to solve mysteries. As an entry in the ever-increasing number of "Helping the police solve murders is my hobby" shows, it's got all the hallmarks of a cozy crime series, with a plot that promises to introduce viewers to great works with an eye on filling your To-Be-Read pile. It's got all the educational cred public broadcasting would want. Now, the show's guest stars for its inaugural season have been announced, and they, too, skew heavily towards British talent who PBS fans know and love.

The series has been filming in Belgium over the spring of 2024, with the bulk of the cast announced as it commenced. But with a few weeks left in the production schedule, Alibi has a few last-minute additions who will be guest starring. The headliner is Former Eighth Doctor Paul McGann (Annika) who also happens to be regularly voted by certain TV critics as Hottest McGann. (Sorry, not sorry to Paul's older brother Stephen McGann over on Call The Midwife.) But that's not all. Mark Umbers, who currently stars in Hotel Portofino as Italy's Handsomest Jerkface, will also join in the fun.

Further guest stars include Elizabeth Berrington (Good Omens), Tim McInnerny (The Serpent), and Angeliki Papoulia (The Tunnel). All five actors will only be in one or two episodes each, as the six-episode Bookish will have three two-parter stories.

Here's the show's synopsis:

London, 1946, is the dynamic, dangerous, and chaotic setting for this stylish new detective drama. The eccentric Gabriel Book is at the very heart of the story: a self-appointed consultant detective to the local police. The thousands of books lining his shop's shelves provide him with all the knowledge he needs. Book has gathered around him a host of lovable, damaged misfits whom he informally protects, cajoles, and mentors. His wife, Trottie, 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.

Gatiss stars as Book, with Walker as Trottie. The rest of the already announced Season 1 cast includes Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love), Elliot Levey (We Were the Lucky Ones), Buket Kömür (Our House), and Blake Harrison (World on Fire). Other guest stars will include Joely Richardson (Renegade Nell), Daniel Mays (The Long Shadow), Rosie Cavaliero (Funny Woman), Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bodies), Tom Forbes (Champion), Amanda Drew (The Gold), Luke Norris (Poldark), Ella Bruccoleri (Passenger), Michael Workéyè  (This Is Going to Hurt), and Jonas Nay (Line of Separation). Gatiss co-wrote Bookish with Doctor Who podcast scribe Matthew Sweet. Director Carolina Giammetta (Suspect) helms all episodes, and Christopher Arcache produces. The show is an Eagle Eye production from Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino.

Bookish does not yet have an American distributor, but in an exclusive interview with Telly Visions, McGrath recently teased that a deal was in the works. Fingers crossed that book fans won't have to wait too long (or dig into ancient tombs) to learn the answer.