Bookish season 2 adds huge new cast members

Jason Watkins, Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow and Rupert Graves are among the high-profile names stepping into the world of Bookish as the hit U&alibi period drama returns for its second series. The 6x70’ series comes from Emmy Award-winning writer Mark Gatiss and is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, part of ITV Studios, with Beta Film handling world sales and PBS Distribution holding North American rights.

The first outing of Bookish, which aired earlier this year on U&alibi, proved to be a breakout success. Drawing an average of 1.5 million viewers (TC)* and soaring past performance benchmarks, it became the channel’s second highest-rated premiere ever**.

For the new chapter, Jason Watkins (The Game, McDonald & Dodds) appears as Harold Sneed, Miranda Richardson (The Last Anniversary) plays Duchess Alberta, Simon Callow (Étoile, The Boy That Never Was) takes on the role of ‘E’, Rupert Graves (Surface, Washington Black) joins as Colonel Reggie Winters, Claire Skinner (Outnumbered, Coma) portrays Mrs Calthrop, and Youssef Kerkour (Home, Stay Close) features as Yusuf.

The line-up is further bolstered by guest appearances from Ricky Champ (EastEnders, Piglets) as Kendall, Allan Corduner (Tár, Homeland) as Maxie Kleinmann, Liza Sadovy (A Real Pain, Patience) as Ruth Kleinmann, Oli Fyne (Call the Midwife, Stella) as Hannah Kleinman, Ingrid Oliver (The Thursday Murder Club, Sweetpea) as Liesl Pohl and John Hopkins (A Very Royal Scandal, Masters of the Air) as Guy Windjammer. Returning characters include Rosie Cavaliero (Funny Woman, Kaos) as Ada Dredge, Gerard Horan (Belgravia: The Next Chapter, Detectorists) as Mr Baseheart, Nadia Albina (A Thousand Blows, All of You) as Dr Calder and Jonas Nay (Messiah Superstar, The Tattooist of Auschwitz) as Felix.

At the heart of the show, Gatiss himself reprises his role as Gabriel Book, alongside Polly Walker as Trottie Book and Connor Finch as Jack Blunt. Also starring are Elliot Levey as Inspector Bliss, Blake Harrison as Sergeant Morris and Buket Kömür as Nora.

Set against the backdrop of London in 1946, the series introduces Gabriel Book, a bookseller whose quiet post-war life is anything but ordinary. Once caught up in espionage, Book now lends his talents to solving the strangest crimes and most perplexing murders.

In series two, the mysteries grow darker. Book is drawn into the shadowy world of spiritualism through medium Harold Sneed (Watkins). He is also called by Bliss to investigate a killing at a gentleman’s outfitters on Savile Row, where elderly tailor Maxie Kleinmann (Corduner) appears eager to confess—but the evidence tells a more complex and sinister story. Later, Book and Jack travel to a seemingly idyllic German village at the behest of the enigmatic ‘E’ (Callow). Their task: stop a Christmas theft orchestrated by Duchess Alberta (Richardson). Yet within the walls of an ominous castle, their mission turns deadly as past and present secrets come to light.

Meanwhile, Book’s unusual partnership with the police brings dangers close to home, while his lavender marriage with Trottie (Walker) is tested by the arrival of the charming Colonel Winters (Graves). With its heady mix of post-war nostalgia and the reckless energy of a new era, Bookish continues to reinvent the detective drama with style and flair.

The U&Original series is commissioned by Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning for UKTV, with Emma Tibbetts (director of programming - scripted) and Hilary Rosen (director of commissioning) overseeing the order. Executive producers Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino lead for Eagle Eye Drama, with co-writing credits shared by Matthew Sweet and Ian Hallard. Carolina Giammetta directs again, and Jake Harvey serves as producer.

Produced in association with Happy Duck Films and supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter, all six episodes will stream on Sky, NOW and Virgin Media. Fans can also delve further into the story with the spin-off novel Bookish, penned by co-writer Matthew Sweet.