Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss has teased an “ambitious” second season for his hit returning detective drama, Bookish.
Original network UKTV and US broadcaster PBS clearly saw something in Gatiss’ Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot-inspired detective, Gabriel Book, as season 2 was approved long before the first season premiered in the UK or the US. In the series, Book is an antiquarian bookseller who moonlights as a Prime Minister-approved amateur detective, as his charming London street becomes a hotbed for murder and mayhem in the aftermath of World War II.
The first season was strongly tied to Book’s home turf, which Gatiss used to introduce the show’s characters, relationships, and the narrative stakes. Speaking with Collider, Gatiss explained why UKTV and PBS’s belief in Bookish allowed him to broaden the show’s horizons — both story-wise and geographically — in the upcoming season:
“Yeah, it’s definitely more ambitious. But I mean, it was just fantastic for UKTV and PBS to take the punt early because we’re ahead of the game. We’ve finished shooting just before Christmas, so it means it’ll be on later this year, and that’s wonderful to have that sense of confidence and momentum.”
Teasing what’s to come in comparison to season 1, Gatiss said:
“The murder is on the Lane in the first two, and then the film crew comes to the Lane. And then in the third story in series one, they go down the road to the big hotel, but it doesn’t stray far. And I think that’s important to give everyone their bearings. And then in the second series, it just sort of spreads its wings a bit.”
Recent first-look images revealed that the upcoming episodes will feature a whole host of new characters, among them a familiar face from Gatiss’ Sherlock days. Joining Gatiss and returning stars Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Buket Kömür, and Elliot Levey is Sherlock’s version of Inspector Lestrade, Rupert Graves, seen in the image below. Graves will be portraying a new character called Colonel Reggie Winters.
Credit: UKTV / Guillaume Van Laethem
Other familiar British stars set to appear in Bookish season 2 are Jason Watkins (McDonald & Dodds) as Harold Sneed, Miranda Richardson (Good Omens) as Duchess Alberta, and Simon Callow (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as a mysterious character called ‘E’, among others. The upcoming season’s six new episodes will cover everything from psychics to tailors to murders in charming German villages and everything in between.
Gatiss isn’t keen to stop after season 2, either. He previously told RadioTimes.com that he’d already begun writing season 3, though the series has yet to be officially renewed. Gatiss also revealed that the German-set fifth and sixth episodes, especially, will further explore Book’s past and what happened to his former lover and Jack’s father, Felix, during the war.
Given Gatiss’ and the broadcasters’ confidence in Bookish, it seems there are plenty more “bookish” vintage murder mysteries to come.
All six episodes of Bookish season 1 are available to stream via PBS.
Release Date
July 16, 2025
Network
U&Alibi
Directors
Carolina Giammetta
