Latest news with #Bookish
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘Must-watch' new detective drama you've never heard of is totally free to stream
A new cosy crime series is being called one of the best detective shows of the year - and it's completely free to watch Viewers are finally starting to discover a new crime drama from earlier this month that has been picking up rave reviews. Not only is this series a critically acclaimed gem, it doesn't cost a penny to watch as it's homed on the free on demand platform, U. It also stars a crop of incredibly recognisable faces from British TV, including Sherlock's Mark Gatiss, Bridgerton's Polly Walker, Line of Duty's Daniel Mays and The Inbetweeners' Blake Harrison. Set in London in 1946, Gatiss stars as an antique bookseller in possession of a letter from Churchill following his enigmatic service in the war which allows him to aid police in murder investigations. He soon develops a reputation as a capable amateur sleuth aided by a vast collection of knowledge and a habit of collecting quirky associates who provide vital clues. However, he's also forced to hide his sexuality from the public. Perfect for fans of Ludwig and Father Brown, Bookish is poised to become your next crime obsession - and it's already been renewed for a second season. The Guardian gave the series a rave review, calling it 'a tasty nugget of absolute delight'. They added: 'Overall Bookish is a fine piece of entertainment – meticulously worked, beautifully paced and decidedly moreish. 'It has enough spikiness to stop it being formulaic but enough love for the genre to keep it comforting. A joy.' Casual fans have also been heaping praise onto Bookish, with one Google review saying: 'I absolutely loved every second of this wonderful series. Great characters, great storyline all beautifully crafted by the fantastic Mark. 'Cannot wait for series 2 and many more after that. A true gem of a programme.' Someone else wrote: 'A brilliantly written series. Entertaining, clever and amusing. It's refreshing to see excellent television at last. We are looking forward to seeing the next series with anticipation. 'Thank you goes to Mark Gatiss for creating a truly special, tongue in cheek, delightful whodunit series. The gay references and affectionate scenes are merged beautifully into the drama.' Another said: 'Most enjoyable. Another masterpiece from the pen of Mark Gatiss. Looking forward to seeing the new episodes. 'Thrilling viewing with many twists and turns. I hope there are more series in the pipeline.' And a final fan wrote: 'Such a great series. Well considered, interesting and so addictive. 'It slowly reveals snippets of information throughout which is a touch of genius. Great casting and characters. MORE please!' With five-star reviews continuing to pour in, Bookish demands to be placed at the very top of your watchlist if it's not on your radar already.
Cosmopolitan
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
How to watch Bookish in the UK: Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss' new thriller
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. SIGN UP FOR A NOW ACCOUNT HERE
Time Out
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Where was ‘Bookish' filmed? The unexpected locations behind the Mark Gatiss detective drama
In BBC'ss Sherlock, Mark Gatiss played the titular detective's influential older brother, Mycroft Holmes. In the new period thriller Bookish, Gatiss portrays a protagonist cut from the same cloth as Sherlock, albeit with a more supportive approach to the authorities. Gatiss is Gabriel Book, an unconventional second-hand bookseller who uses his antiquarian collection to help police solve crimes. Bookish is a return to form for the Emmy winner, who also serves as co-writer alongside broadcaster Matthew Sweet. Recreating London in 1946, Bookish serves as a delightful throwback to detective mysteries of the era while touching upon the perils of post-war Britain. Read on to discover how the detective thriller's world came to life. And if you have Gabriel Book's smarts, you'll spot that most of the filming locations were surprisingly not even in London. Namur, Belgium The heart and soul of Bookish lies in London, but the production team subtly recreated the city's post-war bleakness overseas. Most of the series was filmed in Belgium in 2024, with additional photography taking place in the UK. Namur, a city located in southern Belgium, features prominently in Bookish as the location where street sets for Archangel Lane were built. This fictional London lane is where Gabriel Book runs his second-hand bookstore, which also doubles as a base of operations for Book's investigative activities. Gare de Binche, Binche, Belgium Other Belgian filming locations for Bookish include Gare de Binche, a Gothic-style railway station in the city of Binche. The station's archaic architecture and wartime-era inscriptions freeze the passage of time, making Gare de Binche a suitable fit for the show's 1940s setting. Theater De WAANzin, Ghent, Belgium Gabriel Book's many adventures across London take him to all kinds of spots in the city, including a brief detour to a theatre. Standing in for this theatre space is Theater De WAANzin, located in the heart of Ghent, Belgium. The theatre is a cozy venue that hosts several amateur productions today. Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, Belgium Bookish's Belgian connections continue with this scenic village located a few miles from major cities like Brussels and Antwerp. Fitting the show's grim post-war realities is the Parish Church of Our Lady, the village's neo-Gothic church that remains its biggest tourist attraction. The village's town hall is also heavily influenced by Gothic Revival architecture, adding to the area's hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. What Other Belgian Locations Were Used for Filming? Other London-set scenes filmed in Belgium took place in the country's major cities, including the capital Brussels, La Louvière, Antwerp, Charleroi, Sint-Niklaas, the municipality of Londerzeel, and the village of Huizingen. Was Any of Bookish Filmed in London? Despite the majority of production taking place in Belgium, the crew did film some scenes in London as well. Beyond capturing landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, some scenes were filmed in central London to recreate the fictional Waddingham Hotel. Several central London roads were blocked for filming, complete with vintage 1940s-style cars and old-school hotel bellhops. Other London locations include National Liberal Club, Albert Embankment, Inner Temple, and Gordon Square in Bloomsbury. Who Stars in Bookish? Sherlock actor and screenwriter Mark Gatiss takes top billing in Bookish as bookseller-turned-detective Gabriel Book. Gatiss is joined by Bridgerton and HBO's Rome star Polly Walker, who plays Book's wife Trottie, and Olivier Award-winning theatre actor Elliot Levey, who plays Inspector Bliss. Other cast members include Buket Kömür (Generation Z), Daniel Mays (A Thousand Blows), and Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners). Where Can You Stream Bookish? Bookish is available to stream in the UK on U&Alibi. .
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Bookish review: Mark Gatiss is brilliant in this series - just don't call it cosy crime
Many a fictional detective has an extracurricular talent that feeds into their work; Sherlock Holmes and his violin; Inspector Morse and his crossword skills; Columbo's fluency in several languages. In Mark Gatiss' new crime series Bookish, the co-creator and co-writer of Sherlock stars as Gabriel Book, for whom the detective work is the extracurricular talent. Mark Gatiss as the eccentric Gabriel Bookl in Bookish. Credit: © Toon Aerts Book is an eccentric antiquarian bookshop owner who is also adept at solving mysteries. He draws on his encyclopaedic literary knowledge to help figure out motives, methods and the psychology behind all manner of crimes. Book regularly helps out the local police, led by the affable Inspector Bliss (Elliot Levey), and if anybody queries his involvement, he tells them he 'has a letter from Churchill'. (A bit like Doctor Who's psychic paper, the mere mention of it seems to satisfy anybody who asks). Bookish is set in London in 1946, a less common setting for period drama; Gatiss, a long-time detective fan (as well as Sherlock he has adapted several of Agatha Christie's Poirot stories for British TV, and starred in the series Marple), has said it's a favourite time period of his, given the state of the world: women suddenly empowered (although expected to return to their kitchens), lots of weapons brought back by soldiers, a radical government, and a sense of hope. But no shortage of criminal activity. Gatiss with his 'wife' Trottie (Polly Walker). Credit: Max We first meet Book when a young man, Jack (Connor Finch), freshly released from prison, shows up for a job he's been given at the bookshop. Jack moves in with Book and his wife Trottie (Bridgerton's Polly Walker), who runs a specialty wallpaper shop next door to the bookshop. Gabriel and Trottie seem very much in love – but they have a secret: theirs is a 'lavender marriage', the term given to a marriage where one or both parties are gay, when such a thing is illegal. The pair have long been best friends, having met as children, and Trottie is aware of Book's 'proclivities', which must be kept secret. Especially from the police he spends so much time with. Jack is initially daunted by both Book and his books (all of which are 'catalogued' in a manner as oddball as the man himself), and understandably baffled that the local coppers defer to Book on criminal matters. But he soon comes around – and learns that he hasn't been taken in by the couple by coincidence.
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Mark Gatiss is brilliant in this series – just don't call it cosy crime
Bookish ★★★★ Many a fictional detective has an extracurricular talent that feeds into their work; Sherlock Holmes and his violin; Inspector Morse and his crossword skills; Columbo's fluency in several languages. In Mark Gatiss' new crime series Bookish, the co-creator and co-writer of Sherlock stars as Gabriel Book, for whom the detective work is the extracurricular talent. Book is an eccentric antiquarian bookshop owner who is also adept at solving mysteries. He draws on his encyclopaedic literary knowledge to help figure out motives, methods and the psychology behind all manner of crimes. Book regularly helps out the local police, led by the affable Inspector Bliss (Elliot Levey), and if anybody queries his involvement, he tells them he 'has a letter from Churchill'. (A bit like Doctor Who's psychic paper, the mere mention of it seems to satisfy anybody who asks). Bookish is set in London in 1946, a less common setting for period drama; Gatiss, a long-time detective fan (as well as Sherlock he has adapted several of Agatha Christie's Poirot stories for British TV, and starred in the series Marple), has said it's a favourite time period of his, given the state of the world: women suddenly empowered (although expected to return to their kitchens), lots of weapons brought back by soldiers, a radical government, and a sense of hope. But no shortage of criminal activity. We first meet Book when a young man, Jack (Connor Finch), freshly released from prison, shows up for a job he's been given at the bookshop. Jack moves in with Book and his wife Trottie (Bridgerton 's Polly Walker), who runs a specialty wallpaper shop next door to the bookshop. Gabriel and Trottie seem very much in love – but they have a secret: theirs is a 'lavender marriage', the term given to a marriage where one or both parties are gay, when such a thing is illegal. The pair have long been best friends, having met as children, and Trottie is aware of Book's 'proclivities', which must be kept secret. Especially from the police he spends so much time with. Jack is initially daunted by both Book and his books (all of which are 'catalogued' in a manner as oddball as the man himself), and understandably baffled that the local coppers defer to Book on criminal matters. But he soon comes around – and learns that he hasn't been taken in by the couple by coincidence.
