It’s always a solid vote of confidence for a TV show when it gets a season two renewal before the first has even aired.
UKTV confirmed that work is already underway on the second instalment of new crime drama Bookish, just as the first season’s six episodes dropped on U&Alibi.
Set after the Second World War, the drama stars (and was created by) Mark Gatiss, who plays the eccentric secondhand bookshop owner Gabriel Book (a surname and job combination that means much wordplay ensues).
Since Gatiss also co-created the classic crime-busting show Sherlock, he’s clearly developed a taste for mystery-solving, as his character Gabriel sets about piecing together a series of whodunnits.
Armed with a letter from Prime Minister Winston Churchill that allows him to investigate crime scenes despite being a civilian, Gabriel is much like Holmes before him and helps London’s coppers on the beat to see what only he has twigged.
The old-fashioned drama isn’t overly cosy in its crime, nor is it terribly dark, but the show does have serious themes, with debonair Gabriel hiding his sexuality behind a lavender marriage to wife Trottie (Bridgerton’s Polly Walker). Set in 1946, this is an era where being openly gay was criminalised.
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Gabriel takes on three cases across the new show, with the first being an investigation into some mysterious remains which have been discovered near a bomb site.
Co-written with journalist Matthew Sweet, Bookish gives viewers a series of clues so that they can try and crack the case alongside Gabriel – rather than pulling the culprit out of thin air.
While the show has only been out to watch on U&Alibi (available via Sky and NOW) for a day, several avid TV-watchers have already got stuck in to the episodes and shared their takes online.
Sharing a glowing review on Google, Lorna Mitchell said Bookish was ‘absolutely excellent’.
They added: ‘Really enjoyed this. Nice storyline and very likeable characters. Not the usual run of the mill detective series.’
Steve Mepham had similar thoughts, writing: ‘Brilliant acting, a great story and wonderful setting. Mr Gatiss has produced a little gem.’
‘Brilliant fun and clever writing, a must watch, light hearted whodunit!,’ raved Dan C.
Bookish is available to watch on U&Alibi.
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