‘Bookish’ Brings Comfy Crime Set in Post-WWII London to the London TV Screenings

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This year at the London TV Screenings, Beta Film is introducing the latest high-end drama titled “Bookish,” which is creating quite a stir due to its crime storyline set in post-World War II London.

A compelling new project titled “Bookish,” conceived by the co-creator of “Sherlock,” Mark Gatiss, who also heads the show’s ensemble, alongside screenwriter Matthew Sweet, offers viewers an intelligent and contemporary delve into post-WWII London. This exploration weaves together elements of intellectual crime drama, intricate character relationships, and a subtle portrayal of the LGBTQ community’s journey in a period marked by societal constraint.

The series was created by Eagle Eye Drama in partnership with Happy Duck Films and backed by the Belgian Tax Shelter. It’s set to air on UKTV’s crime drama channel, U&Alibi. PBS Distribution owns the distribution rights in North America, while Beta Film handles global sales.

Over six installments, “Bookish” presents an enthralling setting where intelligence, feelings, and enigma intersect against the backdrop of a raw and transforming London, scarred by bombings from German air raids but still retaining its allure.

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In six parts, “Bookish” unveils an enchanting universe that brings together intellect, emotions, and puzzles in a gritty and changing London, which bears the scars of German bombardments yet manages to maintain its appeal.

Walter Iuzzolino, CEO of Eagle Eye, describes this: You’re drawn into the grandeur of the Savoy, only to step outside and encounter a crater filled with plague victims unearthed during bombings. This is before a damaged cathedral. The scene presents a complex, enigmatic, and potentially perilous world.

The core of the show centers around its intriguing lead character, Book, portrayed by Gatiss. Known in the title, this main character is a renegade detective who was once a military spy and, notably, a bookshop owner. With his quaint bookstore located on London’s Archangel Lane, Book provides his investigative skills to the local police force, assisting them in solving their most puzzling cases.

Despite his charming exterior, his private life mirrors the same intricacy. In reality, he’s in a “lavender marriage” with Trottie (Polly Walker), a vivacious woman who owns a wallpaper shop next door. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and affection, but it’s not driven by romantic passion because Book is gay, and being openly gay was prohibited during the 1940s.

Despite being rooted in its original time period, much of the themes presented in this series remain strikingly contemporary. As Iuzzolino explains, “Bookish” isn’t simply a period piece; it’s a contemporary investigation into relationships and societal evolution. It differs from the more brutal, violent crime dramas that have dominated recently, instead fitting into what Iuzzolino terms as the “cozy crime” sub-genre.

Even amidst these challenging times, there’s a sense of delight in stepping into a realm where problems are neatly wrapped up within 46 minutes, usually ending with justice being served,” he remarks, citing his latest production as an illustration. “[Bookish] offers enjoyment for its cerebral depth, but also for its depiction of a fractured London. In it, a gay man in a lavender marriage, who deeply cares for his partner but not romantically, collaborates to heal a crisis and find a path towards unity.

Jo McGrath, Eagle Eye’s Chief Creative Officer and a vital creative mind behind “Bookish,” takes pride in the series’ innovative perspective on post-war London. As she explains, the team aimed to portray London in an unprecedented manner, depicting it as a perilous city where soldiers, fresh from battle, are still armed and roaming its streets. The atmosphere is chaotic, but for a gay man during that era, London was not just dangerous due to the turmoil; it was also illegal to be openly gay, making life even more treacherous.

I’m thoroughly captivated by how this series masterfully depicts the broader transformations of a city undergoing change, while simultaneously delving deeply into the intimate bonds shared among its main characters, such as the profound connection between Book, Trottie, and a select few who are privileged to be part of their close-knit circle.

In Iuzzolino’s opinion, this element fits seamlessly into the given scenario. “In the aftermath of World War II, when individuals are fragmented and struggling on their own, they find solace and connection in an open couple who act as surrogate parents, providing them with a sense of belonging that these people lack due to not being able to biologically have children.

For example, when Jack, a young man with a questionable background, joins the bookstore staff, it sets off speculation about whether his hiring is part of a more extensive plan hidden from view. This plot twist introduces an additional element of mystery and suspense, as the characters’ pasts gradually unravel to expose secrets that have been kept hidden for years.

McGrath states that the show’s structure enables a more engaging crime narrative since it provides time for audience connection with the characters and their character arcs. Gatiss had a clear vision for the series, and it was intended from the start to explore one crime over two episodes, she notes, further highlighting this format as one of the show’s distinctive features.

Spanning two episodes, ‘Bookish’ weaves an intricate, multi-dimensional mystery by skillfully blending personal narratives with the main crime plot, thereby captivating viewers with its compelling interplay.”

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“Over the course of two episodes, ‘Bookish’ constructs a complex, richly textured mystery by artfully combining character backstories and the primary crime narrative, thus keeping the audience hooked.

According to Iuzzolino, at the end of an episode, you’re left with a suspenseful ending regarding a crime, while also resolving some personal conflicts of the characters. In the following episode, the crime is solved but a new cliffhanger involving one of the characters arises.

Should the formula prove effective, there’s little doubt that the creative team behind the show might revisit it. Despite the fact that the first season is still in post-production, the producers are optimistic about a potential comeback to Book’s Books, post-war London, and the vibrant characters who breathe life into it.

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2025-02-25 09:46