Latest news with #Gatiss
Time Out
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Where was ‘Bookish' filmed? The unexpected locations behind the Mark Gatiss detective drama
In BBC'ss Sherlock, Mark Gatiss played the titular detective's influential older brother, Mycroft Holmes. In the new period thriller Bookish, Gatiss portrays a protagonist cut from the same cloth as Sherlock, albeit with a more supportive approach to the authorities. Gatiss is Gabriel Book, an unconventional second-hand bookseller who uses his antiquarian collection to help police solve crimes. Bookish is a return to form for the Emmy winner, who also serves as co-writer alongside broadcaster Matthew Sweet. Recreating London in 1946, Bookish serves as a delightful throwback to detective mysteries of the era while touching upon the perils of post-war Britain. Read on to discover how the detective thriller's world came to life. And if you have Gabriel Book's smarts, you'll spot that most of the filming locations were surprisingly not even in London. Namur, Belgium The heart and soul of Bookish lies in London, but the production team subtly recreated the city's post-war bleakness overseas. Most of the series was filmed in Belgium in 2024, with additional photography taking place in the UK. Namur, a city located in southern Belgium, features prominently in Bookish as the location where street sets for Archangel Lane were built. This fictional London lane is where Gabriel Book runs his second-hand bookstore, which also doubles as a base of operations for Book's investigative activities. Gare de Binche, Binche, Belgium Other Belgian filming locations for Bookish include Gare de Binche, a Gothic-style railway station in the city of Binche. The station's archaic architecture and wartime-era inscriptions freeze the passage of time, making Gare de Binche a suitable fit for the show's 1940s setting. Theater De WAANzin, Ghent, Belgium Gabriel Book's many adventures across London take him to all kinds of spots in the city, including a brief detour to a theatre. Standing in for this theatre space is Theater De WAANzin, located in the heart of Ghent, Belgium. The theatre is a cozy venue that hosts several amateur productions today. Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, Belgium Bookish's Belgian connections continue with this scenic village located a few miles from major cities like Brussels and Antwerp. Fitting the show's grim post-war realities is the Parish Church of Our Lady, the village's neo-Gothic church that remains its biggest tourist attraction. The village's town hall is also heavily influenced by Gothic Revival architecture, adding to the area's hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. What Other Belgian Locations Were Used for Filming? Other London-set scenes filmed in Belgium took place in the country's major cities, including the capital Brussels, La Louvière, Antwerp, Charleroi, Sint-Niklaas, the municipality of Londerzeel, and the village of Huizingen. Was Any of Bookish Filmed in London? Despite the majority of production taking place in Belgium, the crew did film some scenes in London as well. Beyond capturing landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, some scenes were filmed in central London to recreate the fictional Waddingham Hotel. Several central London roads were blocked for filming, complete with vintage 1940s-style cars and old-school hotel bellhops. Other London locations include National Liberal Club, Albert Embankment, Inner Temple, and Gordon Square in Bloomsbury. Who Stars in Bookish? Sherlock actor and screenwriter Mark Gatiss takes top billing in Bookish as bookseller-turned-detective Gabriel Book. Gatiss is joined by Bridgerton and HBO's Rome star Polly Walker, who plays Book's wife Trottie, and Olivier Award-winning theatre actor Elliot Levey, who plays Inspector Bliss. Other cast members include Buket Kömür (Generation Z), Daniel Mays (A Thousand Blows), and Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners). Where Can You Stream Bookish? Bookish is available to stream in the UK on U&Alibi. .
Metro
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
TV fans can now binge ‘must-watch' crime drama after season 2 is confirmed
It's always a solid vote of confidence for a TV show when it gets a season two renewal before the first has even aired. UKTV confirmed that work is already underway on the second instalment of new crime drama Bookish, just as the first season's six episodes dropped on U&Alibi. Set after the Second World War, the drama stars (and was created by) Mark Gatiss, who plays the eccentric secondhand bookshop owner Gabriel Book (a surname and job combination that means much wordplay ensues). Since Gatiss also co-created the classic crime-busting show Sherlock, he's clearly developed a taste for mystery-solving, as his character Gabriel sets about piecing together a series of whodunnits. Armed with a letter from Prime Minister Winston Churchill that allows him to investigate crime scenes despite being a civilian, Gabriel is much like Holmes before him and helps London's coppers on the beat to see what only he has twigged. The old-fashioned drama isn't overly cosy in its crime, nor is it terribly dark, but the show does have serious themes, with debonair Gabriel hiding his sexuality behind a lavender marriage to wife Trottie (Bridgerton's Polly Walker). Set in 1946, this is an era where being openly gay was criminalised. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Gabriel takes on three cases across the new show, with the first being an investigation into some mysterious remains which have been discovered near a bomb site. Co-written with journalist Matthew Sweet, Bookish gives viewers a series of clues so that they can try and crack the case alongside Gabriel – rather than pulling the culprit out of thin air. While the show has only been out to watch on U&Alibi (available via Sky and NOW) for a day, several avid TV-watchers have already got stuck in to the episodes and shared their takes online. Sharing a glowing review on Google, Lorna Mitchell said Bookish was 'absolutely excellent'. More Trending They added: 'Really enjoyed this. Nice storyline and very likeable characters. Not the usual run of the mill detective series.' Steve Mepham had similar thoughts, writing: 'Brilliant acting, a great story and wonderful setting. Mr Gatiss has produced a little gem.' 'Brilliant fun and clever writing, a must watch, light hearted whodunit!,' raved Dan C. View More » Bookish is available to watch on U&Alibi. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: One of Pride and Prejudice's most iconic scenes 'won't be in Netflix reboot' MORE: Netflix has me hooked on this 'naughty' hidden gem Spanish period drama MORE: I spent 10 years getting my second film made – it's a Scottish samurai Western
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Review, Bookish: Sherlock creator cosies up to crime
*** IT hardly takes Holmesian powers of deduction to see that Mark Gatiss is deadly serious about his latest creation being a hit. Besides writing and taking the lead, he has enlisted a cast of well-kent faces to tell the tale of an enigmatic sleuth operating in postwar London. To top it all, there is a dog in the cast. That's one star in the bag without lifting a paw. Gatiss plays Gabriel Book, a genial sort who runs a secondhand bookshop when he is not helping the local constabulary solve cases. The latter is his 'little hobby'. Blessed with brilliant recall and a nose for a wrong 'un, the Tolstoy-quoting Book is a handy man to have around. Not every copper is pleased to see him turn up when a body is found, but he has a letter from Churchill which gives him special access. It is one of several clues suggesting Book is not a man to be judged by his cover. This being bombed-out London two years after the war, finding bodies is not a rare occurrence. Just as well Book has a new assistant, Jack (Connor Finch), who has come out of prison that very day. Jack wonders why Book has welcomed a stranger, and an ex-con at that, into his home and given him a job. Book's jolly wife Trottie (Polly Walker, Bridgerton), who runs the wallpaper shop next door, is just as welcoming. Besides a fondness for William Morris prints she is also into crime, so to speak, as is the young woman across the road, an orphan like Jack. All four are looking into an apparent suicide that turns out to be a murder. The case takes two hour-long episodes to solve, which is fair old chunk of anyone's time, particularly when the budget can only stretch to a handful of the same streets and interiors. Gifted TV operator that he is, the writer of The League of Gentlemen and Dracula brings on the dog at just the right time. Not just any dog, mind you, but one that carries messages in a special container attached to his collar. As an idea it could catch on (have you seen the price of stamps?). With a long list of suspects, Gatiss keeps the pot boiling nicely while Daniel Mays (Line of Duty), Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners), and the rest of the cast do their stuff. The humour, in keeping with the general vibe, is gentle to the point of laid back. Best of all is Gatiss's character, a chap who is highly skilled at uncovering people's secrets, perhaps because he has one or two of his own. What is in that letter from Churchill, for instance, and who was that man he met on a bench opposite Parliament, the one who seems to think he is owed a favour? More of an afternoon drama than evening fare, but worth a look, if only to see that clever dog (named 'Dog' by the by) in action.
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Bookish review - Sherlock's Mark Gatiss cosies up to crime
*** IT hardly takes Holmesian powers of deduction to see that Mark Gatiss is deadly serious about his latest creation being a hit. Besides writing and taking the lead, he has enlisted a cast of well-kent faces to tell the tale of an enigmatic sleuth operating in postwar London. To top it all, there is a dog in the cast. That's one star in the bag without lifting a paw. Gatiss plays Gabriel Book, a genial sort who runs a secondhand bookshop when he is not helping the local constabulary solve cases. The latter is his 'little hobby'. Blessed with brilliant recall and a nose for a wrong 'un, the Tolstoy-quoting Book is a handy man to have around. Not every copper is pleased to see him turn up when a body is found, but he has a letter from Churchill which gives him special access. It is one of several clues suggesting Book is not a man to be judged by his cover. This being bombed-out London two years after the war, finding bodies is not a rare occurrence. Just as well Book has a new assistant, Jack (Connor Finch), who has come out of prison that very day. Jack wonders why Book has welcomed a stranger, and an ex-con at that, into his home and given him a job. Book's jolly wife Trottie (Polly Walker, Bridgerton), who runs the wallpaper shop next door, is just as welcoming. Besides a fondness for William Morris prints she is also into crime, so to speak, as is the young woman across the road, an orphan like Jack. All four are looking into an apparent suicide that turns out to be a murder. The case takes two hour-long episodes to solve, which is fair old chunk of anyone's time, particularly when the budget can only stretch to a handful of the same streets and interiors. Gifted TV operator that he is, the writer of The League of Gentlemen and Dracula brings on the dog at just the right time. Not just any dog, mind you, but one that carries messages in a special container attached to his collar. As an idea it could catch on (have you seen the price of stamps?). With a long list of suspects, Gatiss keeps the pot boiling nicely while Daniel Mays (Line of Duty), Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners), and the rest of the cast do their stuff. The humour, in keeping with the general vibe, is gentle to the point of laid back. Best of all is Gatiss's character, a chap who is highly skilled at uncovering people's secrets, perhaps because he has one or two of his own. What is in that letter from Churchill, for instance, and who was that man he met on a bench opposite Parliament, the one who seems to think he is owed a favour? More of an afternoon drama than evening fare, but worth a look, if only to see that clever dog (named 'Dog' by the by) in action.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mark Gatiss officially shuts down rumours of a ‘Sherlock' comeback: ‘We struck gold with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman'
After years of speculation and fan anticipation, Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss has officially confirmed that the beloved detective drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman will not be returning. He dismissed all possibilities of a reboot, a new cast, or even a one-off film. A Brilliant Run, but No Encore Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, Sherlock premiered in 2010 and quickly became a global sensation. With its modern-day adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective tales, the series ran for four seasons and a Christmas special, concluding in 2017. Despite its immense success, attempts to reunite the cast for a continuation have repeatedly stalled due to conflicting schedules. Speaking to Collider at the International Global Series Festival, Gatiss offered a definitive response, saying: 'No. We had our go, and we struck gold with Benedict and Martin. I mean, there's no… what would be the point? You'd just be doing it again.' Gatiss, who also portrayed Mycroft Holmes in the series, added: 'It's great to tip your hat to what a wonderful thing it was, but also it's lovely to move forward.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Why No Comeback? Gatiss revealed that a potential Sherlock film was discussed during the pandemic lockdown, with both Cumberbatch and Freeman expressing interest. However, it ultimately did not progress. 'Because Benedict and Martin didn't want to do any more,' he explained. He stressed the importance of recognising when a story has reached its natural end, stating: 'It's important to acknowledge when a time is a time. Sometimes, it is there and then it stops, and there's nothing wrong with that.' What's Next for Mark Gatiss? Gatiss is now focused on a new project titled Bookish — a six-part detective drama set in post-war London. He stars as Gabriel Book, a closeted antiquarian bookseller who turns into a sleuth. The series is set to premiere on July 16, marking a new chapter in Gatiss's storytelling journey.
