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Bookish is a British murder-mystery drama created by and starring Mark Gatiss, set in post-World War II London. This guide sets out the cast of the Bookish TV series for season 1 and season 2, along with what is reported about availability and a possible third season.
Gatiss plays Gabriel Book, an antiquarian bookseller with an encyclopedic memory who assists police with crimes. The season 1 cast includes Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey and Blake Harrison among its lead names.
Season 2 has been reported with new and guest cast members, including Ruth Codd. Some release details remain unsettled, and a third season has not been confirmed.
Cast of Bookish TV series season 1 and season 2
Series
Bookish is a British murder-mystery drama listed with a start year of 2025.
Creator
Mark Gatiss, who also writes, produces and stars in the series.
Season 2 cast addition
Ruth Codd joins as India Flynn, according to a news report dated 26 January 2026.
Season 3
Not confirmed in the available sources.
The core names recur across the two seasons, so they are the most useful starting point for cast searches.
- Mark Gatiss, Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison and Buket Kömür form the core cast reported for season 2.
- Rosie Cavaliero, Gerard Horan, Nadia Albina and Jonas Nay reprise their season 1 roles.
- Season 2 adds named guest stars, including Rupert Graves, Jason Watkins and Miranda Richardson.
- Ruth Codd’s status is described differently across outlets, with some calling her a series regular and others a guest star.
- Episode-level casting for season 2 is not established in the available material.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Series title | Bookish | Search listings and overview of reporting |
| Creator | Mark Gatiss | Cast and crew credit in a search listing |
| Director (credited) | Carolina Giammetta | Search listing credit; episode scope not confirmed |
| Season 1 UK broadcast | U&alibi from 16 July 2025 | Broadcast listings |
| Season 1 US broadcast | PBS from January 2026 | PBS listings |
| Season 2 structure | Six episodes in three two-part cases | Overview of reporting |
| Season 2 UK premiere | Reported as 26 August 2026 on U&alibi | Tom’s Guide and Cozy Crime Mystery |
| Season 2 new cast | Ruth Codd as India Flynn | News report dated 26 January 2026 |
| Season 2 guest stars | Jason Watkins, Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow, Rupert Graves, Claire Skinner, Youssef Kerkour, Allan Corduner | News report dated 26 January 2026 |
| Season 3 status | Not confirmed in the available sources | No supporting source |
Cast of Bookish TV series season 2
Season 2 keeps most of the season 1 ensemble and adds several named performers. Outlets report the new names as joining for the second run of the series.
Who joins the Bookish season 2 cast?
Ruth Codd is reported as joining as India Flynn. UKTV describes the role as a new series regular, while Digital Spy and Cozy Crime Mystery describe it as a guest-star role.
Rupert Graves plays Colonel Reggie Winters. Jason Watkins plays Harold Sneed, a medium, and Miranda Richardson plays Duchess Alberta.
Simon Callow appears as “E”, Claire Skinner as Mrs Calthrop, Youssef Kerkour as Yusuf and Allan Corduner as Maxie Kleinmann. Ingrid Oliver is listed as Liesl Pohl.
Mark Gatiss, Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison and Buket Kömür return for season 2, alongside Rosie Cavaliero, Gerard Horan, Nadia Albina and Jonas Nay.
Bookish season 2 episode 2 cast
Reporting lists the cast for season 2 as a whole. It does not provide a breakdown of who appears in episode 2.
A season-level cast list shows who is credited across the run of the series. An episode-level list would show who appears in a specific instalment, and that information is not established here.
Episode 2 cast details are not confirmed. Readers should check an episode listing from the broadcaster before relying on any single-episode credit.
Bookish TV series season 1 overview
Season 1 introduces Gabriel Book, an antiquarian bookseller with an encyclopedic memory who helps police solve crimes. Polly Walker plays Trottie Book, his wife in a “lavender marriage”, and Connor Finch plays Jack Blunt, Book’s protégé.
Elliot Levey plays Inspector Bliss, Buket Kömür plays Nora and Blake Harrison plays Sergeant Morris. Rosie Cavaliero plays Mrs Ada Dredge, Nadia Albina plays Dr Calder, Gerard Horan plays Baseheart and Jonas Nay plays Felix.
Daniel Mays, Joely Richardson and Paul McGann are also listed among the supporting cast for season 1, although their roles are not specified in the available material.
Readers comparing ensemble casts can also browse the Cast of Under the Bridge (TV Series) guide.
Bookish season 2 release timing
Tom’s Guide and Cozy Crime Mystery report that season 2 premiered on U&alibi on 26 August 2026 at 8pm BST. Other sources describe the season only as expected or due this summer.
PBS has not announced a firm US date for season 2. One source suggests January 2027 is the most likely timing, but this has not been confirmed.
The 26 August 2026 UK date is reported by only two outlets, and other reports differ. The US date remains unannounced.
Where to watch the Bookish TV series
In the UK, season 1 aired on U&alibi from 16 July 2025 and is available through Sky, NOW and Virgin Media. Season 2 is listed on NOW in some listings.
In the US, season 1 premiered on PBS on Sundays at 10/9c from January 2026 and ran through 15 February 2026. PBS Passport subscribers could stream all episodes from the premiere.
Season 1 is also listed on PBS Masterpiece via Amazon Prime Video Channel, Thirteen and WETA+. It is available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home, as well as on DVD from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
- UK: U&alibi, with season 1 also available via Sky, NOW and Virgin Media.
- US: PBS, with streaming for PBS Passport subscribers.
- Australia: HBO Max, with season 1 reported as available at the same time as UK dates.
- Denmark: season 2 is listed on DRTV for free, although the listing date needs checking.
Apple TV lists season 2, while Flicks does not. Flicks and Rotten Tomatoes show no streaming platform for season 2 yet.
Bookish TV series on Netflix
None of the available sources links Bookish to Netflix. The platform therefore cannot be confirmed as a place to watch the series.
Viewers should check the current broadcaster or streaming service listings before assuming any platform carries Bookish.
Bookish season 3: what has been confirmed
A third season of Bookish has not been confirmed in the available sources. No date, cast or platform for a third season is established.
An official announcement from the broadcaster or production company would be the clearest confirmation of any future season. Until then, the status of a third season remains unknown.
How has the Bookish TV series developed over time?
- : Season 1 begins on U&alibi in the UK.
- : Season 1 premieres on PBS in the US, shown on Sundays.
- : A news report announces Ruth Codd joining the cast for the second series, with guest stars also reported.
- : The US run of season 1 on PBS ends.
- : Tom’s Guide and Cozy Crime Mystery report the season 2 premiere on U&alibi at 8pm BST.
- : UKTV has promised a two-part Christmas special on U&alibi, with the exact date not confirmed.
What is confirmed about Bookish and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Mark Gatiss is the creator and stars as Gabriel Book | Carolina Giammetta’s credit as director and the episodes it covers |
| Season 1 aired on U&alibi from 16 July 2025 | The exact UK broadcast schedule for season 2 beyond the reported premiere |
| Season 1 premiered on PBS from January 2026 | The firm US premiere date for season 2 |
| Season 2 has six episodes in three two-part cases | Episode-level cast for season 2 |
| Ruth Codd joins the second series as India Flynn, as reported | Whether Ruth Codd is a series regular or a guest star |
| Several guest stars are reported for season 2 | Streaming platforms for season 2, including any Netflix availability |
| Season 1 is available on several US and UK services | Whether a third season will be made |
How does the Bookish cast connect to Sherlock?
Mark Gatiss originally played Mycroft Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock. He now creates, writes, produces and stars in Bookish.
Rupert Graves, who played Inspector Lestrade in Sherlock, appears in season 2 as Colonel Reggie Winters. The connection is noted in reporting on the season 2 cast.
For another British drama, see the Cast of Heartbeat (British TV Series).
Which outlets report the Bookish cast and dates?
UKTV describes Ruth Codd as a new series regular. Digital Spy and Cozy Crime Mystery describe the same role as a guest-star part, so the status remains inconsistent across outlets.
Tom’s Guide and Cozy Crime Mystery give the 26 August 2026 premiere date for season 2. Other sources say only that the season is expected or due this summer.
Rotten Tomatoes and Flicks list no streaming platform for season 2. Cast lists in search listings and news reports should be read together with the broadcaster’s own schedule.
Who is in the Bookish cast, and where can viewers follow it?
The Bookish cast is led by Mark Gatiss, with Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison and Buket Kömür as core names. Season 2 adds guest stars and Ruth Codd as India Flynn. Season 1 is available in the UK through U&alibi and in the US through PBS, while season 2’s dates remain partly unsettled and a third season is not confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Who created Bookish?
Mark Gatiss created Bookish and also writes, produces and stars in the series. Bookish is a British murder-mystery drama set in post-World War II London.
Who does Mark Gatiss play in Bookish?
Mark Gatiss plays Gabriel Book, an antiquarian bookseller with an encyclopedic memory who assists police with crimes.
How many episodes does Bookish season 2 have?
Season 2 is described as having six episodes split into three two-part cases.
Can viewers stream Bookish on PBS Passport?
PBS Passport subscribers could stream all season 1 episodes from the US premiere on PBS. Season 2 has no confirmed US streaming platform in the available sources.
Which UK channel broadcasts Bookish?
Season 1 aired on U&alibi from 16 July 2025. Season 2 is reported to premiere on U&alibi on 26 August 2026.
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Toby Marsh is Senior Reporter at Castradar.uk, covering film and TV stories across the UK.