How to watch Bookish in the UK: Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss' new thriller

Cosmopolitan

22-07-2025

Just when you think you've watched every possible thriller going, another intriguing addition gets added to your list, and this time our new obsession is going to be Bookish.
Set in post-WWII, Bookish stars Mark Gatiss as a bookshop owner who helps the police solve crimes in London. A bookshop? And solving crimes? We are locked in.
The six part series started last week and has already been renewed for a second season, with many fans thrilled at the arrival of the new series, with one writing on X: "Bookish is everything I'd hoped it would be, and more. Everything about it just works for me, the writing, the characters, the cast, the look, the sound, the direction. Bravo!"
While another heaped on the praise saying: "#Bookish was quite frankly a brilliant piece of period detective drama , stunningly realised, wonderfully cast , and hit the ground running from the off." And another simply said: "Finished watching Bookish AND IM FOREVER OBSESSED."
Want to understand what all the fuss is about? Here's what to know about Bookish and crucially where to watch it.
Bookish is a new six-part drama, with Mark Gatiss starring as Gabriel Book, a former spy turned detective and bookshop owner. He offers his services to the local London police in order to help solve crimes.
His private life is also a major part of the series, with Gabriel being in a lavender marriage with wife Trottie, played by Bridgerton's Polly Walker, who runs the wallpaper shop next door. Gabriel is gay in a time when it was illegal to be so in the UK and his wife Trottie, whom he adores, explores other connections outside their marriage.
They're joined by Connor Finch and Elliot Levey in leading roles, with Daniel Mays and Joely Richardson making guests appearances.
The best way to watch Bookish in the UK is with a NOW subscription, with all six episodes available to stream now. Each two episodes tell the story of one crime Gabriel is helping to solve. A NOW Entertainment Pass costs £9.99 a month.
Alternatively the series is also showing on the channel U&Alibi, with two new episodes dropping each Wednesday evening.
The first of the two episodes begin at 8pm, with the second airing at 9:15pm. Episodes 1 and 2 in the series were shown last week on 16th July, with the second batch of episodes 3 and 4 to be shown on 23rd July and the final two 5 and 6 on 30th July.
Depending on your TV package it should also be available on catchup on Sky, Virgin, TalkTalk and BT.
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