The First Trailer for 'Bookish' Has Everyone's Favorite Kind of Circumstances

A mystery series where the amateur detective is a book merchant who uses his love of history and literature to solve crimes sounds like a show made for PBS. Add stars Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and Polly Walker (Bridgerton) as the couple in the center of the series who lead the crime-solving ensemble, and make theirs a lavender marriage during the era of the 20th century, when being LGBTQ+ was still a criminal offense in England, and you've got the platonic ideal of a Sunday night mystery series. However, there are plenty of shows that, on paper, appear to be slam-dunk concepts that never get a second season, even if PBS picks them up in the first place.

That's been the primary concern we've had around here when it comes to Bookish. Everything about this series suggests it's a guaranteed "run forever" show, like Death in Paradise or Vera. Perhaps more importantly, unlike those two "run forever" shows, Bookish doesn't just star Gatiss; he's also the series creator and driving force behind the show. That means he's far less likely to call it quits after two seasons because of the commute, like Ben Miller did with DiP, or after 14 seasons like Brenda Blethyn did on Vera when she decided she was too tired to keep playing detective. 

However, the first trailer for the show is finally out, and while we still don't have a confirmed release date on either side of the pond, the trailer holds proof this series is going to be as good as everyone hopes. Check it out:

Here's the synopsis for the series' inaugural season:

London 1946 is the setting for series one, with viewers introduced to the appropriately named Gabriel Book, 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 crimes and the knottiest murders. But his close association with the force is not without its dangers. 

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. Jack proves a worthy assistant both in the shop and in Book’s murder investigations. However, it soon becomes clear that Jack’s appointment wasn’t quite as random as it initially appeared…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.

Gatiss and Walker lead a core ensemble that includes Elliot Levey (We Were the Lucky Ones) as Inspector Bliss, Buket Kömür (Our House) as Nora, and Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love) as Jack.

Like most mystery-of-the-week (or in this case, mystery-of-the-every-other-week), Bookish is a series built for high-profile guest star turns. Season 1 will feature Paul McGann (Annika), Elizabeth Berrington (Good Omens), Mark Umbers (Hotel Portofino), Joely Richardson (Renegade Nell), Daniel Mays (The Long Shadow), Rosie Cavaliero (Funny Woman), Blake Harrison (World on Fire), Amanda Drew (The Gold), Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bodies), Ella Bruccoleri (Call the Midwife), Tom Forbes (Champion), Angeliki Papoulia (The Tunnel), Luke Norris (Poldark), Tim McInnerny (The Serpent), Michael Workéyè  (This Is Going to Hurt) and Jonas Nay (Line of Separation). 

Gatiss co-wrote Bookish with Doctor Who podcast scribe Matthew Sweet and Ian Hallard as three two-part mysteries comprising six episodes in total. Director Carolina Giammetta (Suspect) helmed all episodes, and Jake Harvey produced. The show is an Eagle Eye production from Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino.

Bookish debuts in the U.K. in July 2025 and is expected to follow on PBS before the end of 2025 or in very early 2026.