Bookish season 2: Release date and latest news
When will Gabriel Book be back to crack some more cases?
UKTV/Nicolas Velter
- James Hibbs
Published: Friday, 21 August 2026 at 1:40 pm
Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 issues for £10
Book is back!
Ad
Bookish is about to return to our screens for its second season, with writer and star Mark Gatiss bringing us six new episodes, charting three new cases for the bookshop owner-turned crime solver.
Also returning for the new stories, which Gatiss has described as being "more ambitious", are key cast members such as Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison and Buket Kömür.
Meanwhile, Bookish fans have even more to celebrate, as it has now been confirmed that the show will be returning for a two-part Christmas special later this year, followed by a third season in 2027.
But, before then, when will season 2 start airing and what else do we know about it so far? Read on for everything you need to know about Bookish season 2.
Will there be a Bookish season 2?
Mark Gatiss and Polly Walker in Bookish. UKTV/Nicolas Velter
There will! In fact, Bookish was renewed well before the first season had even debuted - a full two months before, back in May 2025.
On the renewal announcement, Gatiss said: "I’m thrilled that the team at U&Alibi are allowing me to dive back into the world of Bookish and create more fiendish crimes for Gabriel Book and the team to solve.
"I can’t wait for viewers to immerse themselves in the world we’ve created when the first series airs in a few months’ time."
When will Bookish season 2 be released?
Connor Finch in Bookish. UKTV
Bookish season 2 will be available on U&Alibi from Wednesday 26 August 2026. The first two episodes will air on the channel from 8pm that day.
This means it will be arriving just over a year after season 1, which first debuted in July 2025.
The synopsis for season 2 says: "In the second series, Book investigates the world of spiritualism when he’s asked to help solve the mysterious case involving medium, Harold Sneed (Jason Watkins).
"Off Savile Row, Bliss asks Book to help in a puzzling murder at a gentleman’s outfitters - the elderly tailor Maxie Kleinmann (Allan Corduner) is keen to confess to the murder, but the evidence doesn’t quite stack up and points to something much more complex and sinister.
"And Book and Jack are sent to the seemingly charming German village of Würl by the mysterious ‘E’ (Simon Callow) to thwart a thieving Duchess (Miranda Richardson) at Christmas time. However, festivities take a deadly turn when Book and Jack uncover secrets of their own, past and present, in an ominous castle brimming with plausible murder suspects."
Who will star in Bookish season 2?
Mark Gatiss, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey and Nadia Albina in Bookish. UKTV
All of the central cast for Bookish season 1 will be returning for season 2, including, of course, Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book.
Joining him will be Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison and Buket Kömür, all reprising their season 1 roles.
They will be joined by other returning actors including Rosie Cavaliero and Jonas Nay, as well as a host of new guest stars surrounding each case that Book investigates.
This includes Jason Watkins, Miranda Richardson, Claire Skinner, Ingrid Oliver and more.
Meanwhile, Rupert Graves and Simon Callow will be joining in recurring roles, with the former playing Trottie's new love interest, Colonel Winters, and the latter playing E, an old contact of Book's from the war.
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
Here's a list of the announced cast for Bookish season 2:
- Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book
- Polly Walker as Trottie Book
- Connor Finch as Jack
- Elliot Levey as Inspector Bliss
- Blake Harrison as Sergeant Morris
- Buket Kömür as Nora
- Jason Watkins as Harold Sneed
- Miranda Richardson as Duchess Alberta
- Simon Callow as E
- Rupert Graves as Colonel Reggie Winters
- Claire Skinner as Mrs Calthrop
- Youssef Kerkour as Yusuf
- Ricky Champ as Kendall
- Allan Corduner as Maxie Kleinmann
- Liza Sadovy as Ruth Kleinmann
- Oli Fyne as Hannah Kleinmann
- Ingrid Oliver as Liesl Pohl
- John Hopkins as Guy Windjammer
- Rosie Cavaliero as Mrs Dredge
- Gerard Horan as Baseheart
- Nadia Albina as Dr Calder
- Jonas Nay as Felix
Is there a trailer for Bookish season 2?
There is! You can watch the trailer for season 2 right here now.
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow YouTube and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
Bookish season 2 starts at 8pm on Wednesday 26 August on U&Alibi.
Add Bookish to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Ad
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
Ad
Ad
Subscribe for £1 per week
Too much to watch this autumn? Let Radio Times magazine and app do the choosing, with expert picks across TV, streaming and film.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...