Mark Gatiss has shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Bookish season 2 script read-through, signalling that filming will begin soon for the much-anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed 1940s-set crime drama. The series is expected to return in 2026 on UKTV’s U&Alibi channel, with the full central cast confirmed to reprise their roles.
Mark Gatiss, creator and star of the historical crime drama “Bookish,” has confirmed significant progress on the much-anticipated second season of the series. On 1 August 2025, Gatiss shared a photo on the U&Alibi Instagram page showing himself beside a sign that read “Bookish season 2 read through,” accompanied by a caption expressing enthusiasm for the project and hinting at a 2026 release. This public read-through of the scripts strongly suggests that filming will soon commence, aligning with earlier reports that production was scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.
“Bookish” first premiered in July 2025 on UKTV’s U&Alibi channel and is available for streaming on platforms including Sky, Virgin, BT, and TalkTalk. The series is set in post-war London in 1946 and follows the character Gabriel Book, an erudite antiquarian bookseller and former intelligence agent who uses his literary knowledge to assist police investigations. Gatiss not only created the series but also stars as Book, with the supporting cast including Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison, and Buket Kömür—all of whom are confirmed to return for the second season. The show has drawn praise for its clever plotting, rich historical atmosphere, and thoughtful exploration of social themes such as identity and friendship, featuring a notably underrepresented LGBTQ+ narrative through its protagonist’s character.
The production of “Bookish” is handled by Eagle Eye Drama, a division of ITV Studios, with Beta Film managing international sales and PBS Distribution holding rights for North America. The series was initially re-commissioned for a second season by UKTV ahead of the first season’s debut, reflective of confidence in the show’s appeal. Mark Gatiss has spoken warmly about the renewal, expressing excitement about expanding the story and deepening the intrigue for viewers. Filming for season two, set to take place during the summer of 2025, has been confirmed, with further details expected in the near future.
Critics and viewers alike have compared “Bookish” favourably to Gatiss’s earlier work on “Sherlock,” noting its intelligent storytelling and rich characterisation. The series combines elements of crime drama and social commentary, framed by the unique lens of a 1940s London setting, with a format that follows Book solving new cases every two episodes while weaving longer story arcs throughout the season. Directed by Carolina Giammetta and filmed in Belgium, the show presents a unique blend of historical detail and genre storytelling that has already cultivated an engaged audience eager for more.
With the script read-through completed and filming imminent, the expectation is that “Bookish” season two will return in 2026, potentially by summer, maintaining a fast-paced production turnaround. This continuation will bring back the full central cast and further explore the mysteries and character dynamics that made the first season compelling.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/bookish-season-2-update-mark-gatiss-newsupdate/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/bookish-season-2-update-mark-gatiss-newsupdate/ – Mark Gatiss, creator and star of ‘Bookish’, announced a read-through of the scripts for Series 2 on 1st August 2025, suggesting a 2026 release. The first season is currently airing on U&Alibi and available on Sky, Virgin, BT, and TalkTalk. The series follows Gabriel Book, an antique bookshop owner in 1946 London, who assists the police in solving crimes. The central cast, including Gatiss, Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison, and Buket Kömür, will reprise their roles in the upcoming season.
- https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/bookish-cast-plot-and-everything-we-know – ‘Bookish’ is a six-part UKTV crime drama created by and starring Mark Gatiss, set in 1946 post-war London. The series follows Gabriel Book, a gay antique bookseller who moonlights as a detective, using his extensive literary knowledge to assist the police in solving crimes. Polly Walker plays his supportive wife Trottie in their platonic ‘lavender marriage.’ The show explores themes of identity, social constraints, and friendship with a touch of humor and intrigue. The story begins with Book hiring ex-convict Jack (Connor Finch) as an assistant and investigating the mysterious death of a local chemist. The ensemble cast includes Elliot Levey, Buket Kömür, Blake Harrison, and guest stars like Daniel Mays, Joely Richardson, and Paul McGann. Directed by Carolina Giammetta and filmed in Belgium, ‘Bookish’ premiered globally in June 2025 at the Italian Global Series Festival and debuts on UKTV’s U&Alibi on July 16, 2025, with all episodes available on Sky Box Sets and NOW. The series, supported by UKTV and Eagle Eye Drama, aims to offer a unique detective experience rooted in literature, rich historical context, and underrepresented LGBTQ+ narratives.
- https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/newsroom/mark-gatiss-drama-bookish-re-commissioned-for-a-second-series-ahead-of-premiere-on-uandalibi – UKTV announced the re-commission of ‘Bookish’ for a second series ahead of the first series premiering in July. The series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, part of ITV Studios, with Beta Film handling world sales and PBS Distribution holding North American rights to series one. Mark Gatiss continues to write and star as Gabriel Book, an erudite and unconventional character who helps the police solve a variety of mysterious crimes from his antiquarian bookshop. Filming for the second series is set to begin this summer, with more details to be shared in the coming months.
- https://www.advanced-television.com/2025/05/16/bookish-re-commissioned-for-a-second-season-ahead-of-premiere-on-ualibi/ – UKTV has announced the re-commission of ‘Bookish’ for a second season ahead of the first series premiering in July. The series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, part of ITV Studios, with Beta Film handling world sales and PBS Distribution holding North American rights to series one. Mark Gatiss continues to write and star as Gabriel Book, an erudite and unconventional character who helps the police solve a variety of mysterious crimes from his antiquarian bookshop. Filming for the second series is set to begin this summer, with more details to be shared in the coming months.
- https://www.easterneye.biz/mark-gatisss-bookish-sherlock-hooked/ – Mark Gatiss, best known for co-creating ‘Sherlock’, returns with another brainy sleuth in ‘Bookish’. The 1940s-set detective drama follows Gabriel Book, a former intelligence agent turned antiquarian bookseller who helps the police crack cases in post-war London. The six-part series, which debuted on U&Alibi, has garnered praise for its clever plots, layered characters, and strong sense of time and place, with some calling it ‘the next best thing to Sherlock’. A second season has already been confirmed, with filming set to begin this summer.
- https://www.tvguide.co.uk/streaming-guide/bookish-series-2-mark-gatiss-ualibi – Confirmation for ‘Bookish’ series 2 arrived in May 2025. Filming will take place throughout the summer of the same year. Speaking of the show’s speedy renewal, Mark Gatiss said: “I’m thrilled that the team at U&alibi are allowing me to dive back into the world of Bookish and create more fiendish crimes for Gabriel Book and the team to solve. I can’t wait for viewers to immerse themselves in the world we’ve created when the first series airs in a few months’ time.”
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 16 May 2025, when UKTV announced the re-commissioning of ‘Bookish’ for a second series ahead of its premiere on U&alibi. ([corporate.uktv.co.uk](https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/newsroom/mark-gatiss-drama-bookish-re-commissioned-for-a-second-series-ahead-of-premiere-on-uandalibi?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a recent press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The inclusion of updated data, such as the August 1, 2025, read-through photo, justifies a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative has not appeared more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests the content is potentially original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Radio Times, a reputable UK publication known for its coverage of television and entertainment. This adds credibility to the report. However, the reliance on a press release as the primary source introduces a degree of uncertainty, as press releases can sometimes present information in a biased manner.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the progress of ‘Bookish’ Season 2 are plausible and align with previous reports. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with typical entertainment reporting. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were found. The tone is appropriately formal and resembles typical corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh and original, with no evidence of recycled content or discrepancies. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible and consistent with previous reports. The absence of direct quotes and reliance on a press release as the primary source introduce minor uncertainties. Overall, the report is credible and provides valuable information about the progress of ‘Bookish’ Season 2.
