PBS Distribution has acquired the North American rights to Bookish, a new six-part detective series created by and starring Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, The League of Gentlemen). The show, set in post-war London, features Gatiss as a gay antiquarian bookshop owner who helps the police solve crimes.
Here’s the Lowdown: Bookish is set in 1946 London, a city still recovering from the war. Gatiss plays Gabriel Book, the owner of a rare bookshop. He’s married to Trottie (played by Polly Walker of Bridgerton and Line of Duty fame), but it’s a “lavender marriage” as Book is gay. Book uses his sharp mind to assist in solving complex crimes. Other main cast members are Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison and Buket Kömür. The series comprises three two-part crime stories.
What This Means Now: This deal means North American audiences will get to see the series, although a specific premiere date hasn’t been announced. It continues a successful relationship between Eagle Eye Drama (the production company) and PBS Distribution, who have previously worked together on shows like Professor T and Hotel Portofino.
The Bigger Picture: Bookish boasts a strong cast, including a large number of guest stars such as Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays and Paul McGann and a well-regarded creator in Mark Gatiss. The series is a UK production (it will air on UKTV’s Alibi channel) but is gaining international distribution. The involvement of PBS Distribution suggests a high level of quality and a likely appeal to fans of British crime dramas.
