Gatiss Discloses New Series 'Bookish' Originated from a Book
Mark Gatiss, the renowned British writer and actor, has brought a new perspective to the whodunnit genre with his latest series, "Bookish." The series, set in post-World War Two London, premieres on Wednesday, July 16 on U&Alibi in the UK.
The series will also be available on PBS in the US at a later date.
The idea for "Bookish" came to Gatiss eight years ago on a plane. He envisioned a bookseller who moonlights as a detective, a character that would be both mysterious and unknowable. This concept was further inspired by the post-war period and the idea of a gay character living in a time when homosexuality was illegal.
Gatiss plays the role of Gabriel Book, a gay man living in a marriage of convenience with his childhood best friend Trottie, played by Polly Walker. The series adds a new dimension to the whodunnit genre by exploring the complexities of Book's personal life and his double life as a detective.
The series is split into three two-part stories. Connor Finch stars as Jack, an ex-prisoner who receives a mysterious invitation for a job vacancy at Book's bookshop. Jack's entry into Book and Trottie's world in the opening episode forces Book to confront unresolved matters from his own past.
Research into lavender marriages was part of the research for "Bookish." Gatiss drew on the historical context of post-War London in 1946, a time of lingering war impacts, prejudice, suspicion, and the illegality of homosexuality. This setting and character drew conceptual inspiration from "Doctor Who"’s psychic paper device.
The revelation of Book's sexuality is handled in a way that avoids making Jack an unsympathetic character. The series is a compelling exploration of a time when being true to oneself was a dangerous endeavour.
The first two-part story of "Bookish" airs at 8pm and 9.10pm on its premiere day. Don't miss out on this intriguing new series that promises to keep you guessing until the very end.
