First look at new crime drama set to rival Sherlock with Line of Duty and The League of Gentleman stars
THE first look at an exciting new Brit drama set to rival Sherlock has been unveiled.
Mark Gatsiss, who is known for portraying Mycroft Holmes in the Sherlock series, will be stepping things up a gear by taking on the lead role in an upcoming UKTV drama.
The new detective drama, titled Bookish, features an ensemble cast and is expected to land on the Alibi channel later this year.
In the show, Mark’s character, an extroverted police officer named Gabriel Book, finds himself solving some of the most impossible crimes thanks to the powerful knowledge he has accrued from reading books in his antiuque bookshop.
New images show Mark smartly dressed as Gabriel surrounded by hundreds of old-time books clattered about on busy bursting shelves.
Mark is not the only famous face to have signed up for the cast with Line of Duty star Daniel Mays, Black Mirror star Michael Workéyè and Poldark‘s Luke Norris also on the books.
The Inbetweeners actor Blake Harrison is also part of the cast playing the role of Sergeant Morse.
Part of the series will focus on Gabriel and his hidden sexuality.
His character is in a faux marriage with close friend Trottie, played by Bridgerton actress Polly Walker, with the programme being set at a time where legal restrictions were imposed on gay relationships.
Speaking about signing up for the series, actor Mark revealed: “To misquote Goodfellas: ‘All my life I’ve wanted to be a detective!’
“I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this series to the screen, and to plunge viewers into our intoxicating version of post-War London.
“It’s an under-examined time and an under-examined world and Bookish is the strange, funny and thrilling show that I’ve always wanted to make.”
Adding of the show, Helen Perry, UKTV’s head of drama, said: “UKTV is the home for writers’ passion projects, and we are so proud to be working with the exceptionally talented Mark Gatiss on his, along with the effervescent team at Eagle Eye.
“Mark’s unique detective thriller is full of wit and heart, with a central platonic love story that is sure to enthral audiences.
“And because Book is a gay man, at a time when it was illegal to be so, we are proud that the drama shines a light on an important LGBTQ+ story. The star-studded cast Eagle Eye have already put together is tribute to the sure-fire hit Bookish is to become.”
The episodes in the series will be presented as two-parters, with three stories in total taking the episode count to six.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.