Mark Gatiss Admits His New Series Bookish Was Inspired by Doctor Who

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Mark Gatiss, with a lifetime passion for murder mysteries and a screenwriter behind renowned adaptations of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle works, recognizes that every detective needs an unique trait – a special talent or habit that enhances their detective skills. In creating his latest detective character, it was fitting for the writer-actor to base this on books, as he is always ready with a literary reference at hand, from Beatrix Potter’s tales to his preferred pulp fiction novels.

Gatiss introduces us to Bookish, a captivating series centering around Gabriel Book, an individual who operates a bookstore brimming with wisdom. This vast repository of information serves as his resource when he takes on the challenging task of solving mysteries that leave the local law enforcement baffled.

The character of Book originated from an idea that had been circulating in the mind of the Sherlock Holmes writer for eight years: a gay detective who was in a “lavender marriage” with Trottie (Polly Walker) in the late 1940s, while hiding his sexuality. After an unsuccessful attempt at writing a novel, Gatiss wrote a script during the lockdown. Interestingly, RT appears to have a minor part in this story.

When Walter Iuzzolino informed Gatiss at the 2022 Radio Times cover party that his production company Eagle Eye was seeking a period detective drama, things immediately began moving: cameras started filming last summer, with modern-day Antwerp standing in for post-war London; even before the first series has been broadcast, a second season has already been greenlit.

A LIFE OF CRIME

Mark Gatiss: Detective mysteries are enjoying their heyday right now. They’ve always been intriguing, but all of a sudden they seem to be popping up everywhere. For me, it started with reading lots of Agatha Christie during summer vacations as a child. I recall purchasing Curtain: Hercule Poirot’s Last Case from a newsstand in 1975. I had no idea what it was about, but I knew it was significant. The cover – featuring a bowler hat and an umbrella – felt like a declaration.

Matthew Sweet: The cover of N or M, featuring a bloodied telephone receiver, was quite unsettling for me. It often came to mind whenever I used the phone.

Mark: I have several Christie paperbacks displayed in frames on the wall of my bathroom, turning them into quirky pop art pieces. One of them, The Murder at the Vicarage, plays on the style of [Belgian surrealist artist] Magritte, featuring a man with a dog collar and a tennis racket as his head instead of an apple, which gives it a rather eerie feel.

I: Indeed, the TV adaptations held great significance as well. The BBC’s Miss Marple series featuring Joan Hickson mirrored Agatha Christie with the same reverence as Brideshead Revisited. Christie, in my opinion, had a superior understanding of class compared to many of her contemporaries, some of whom may have been overly comfortable or eccentric.

The detective is an astute observer of their surroundings, regardless of how confusing the storyline might be. For instance, a vivid depiction of a tobacco shop from 1926 could capture the essence of that era, and experiencing that atmosphere can bring joy on its own.

THE RULES OF THE GAME

As a cinephile, I’ve come to realize that despite familiar faces, it’s the intricate motivations that drive these characters, often leading them to act unexpectedly. Resisting this shift might seem tempting, but the narrative has its own path, steering us in a captivatingly different direction.

Mark: In truth, the character of the killer often evolves unexpectedly while I’m writing. No matter how much planning and testing I do beforehand, once I begin, I find that it doesn’t always align with my initial thoughts. It can be significantly altered.

This device has intricate moving pieces. When you take out a part, you might ponder, “That’s probably going to cause a strange rattling sound at the rear.” You may need to deal with that issue in another area.

Mark: Additionally, you should acknowledge that the storyline may veer towards typical tropes. The sixth episode unfolds in a hotel, which some might find reminiscent of conventional thrillers you’d find at bookstores like WHSmith. However, I’m not typically fond of such devices.

THE PERFECT MURDER

Mark: A compelling narrative doesn’t necessarily require multiple murders, but it can certainly be included based on the type of episode and its unique style.

Matthew: There’s a kind of rhythm, a music to a murder.

A DANGEROUS WORLD

Mark: I’ve been considering a gay detective in a traditional yet complex relationship known as a “lavender marriage.” It’s important to remember when discussing this topic that we shouldn’t view the past through 21st-century lenses and judge people based on modern standards. Book and Trottie marry for practical reasons, much like many others did in their time. In many lavender marriages, both individuals were gay, but Trottie is a strong, independent woman who’s experienced extraordinary wars. They are deeply committed to each other, as was common among such couples. However, this isn’t a situation where simple answers can be easily found, and it shouldn’t be.

Matthew said the world is full of deceivers, especially those who have been in war, and may not always tell the whole truth about their actions during that time.

Mark: Living a dual existence amidst the whirlwind of crime, this period is frequently dismissed as one of dreary frugality. However, it was revolutionary: the world was turned on its head, the beginnings of the welfare state were taking shape, and many people felt lost and uncertain about their place in society. When his leadership is challenged, Book produces a letter from Churchill – this is essentially Doctor Who’s “psychic paper”! I dislike it when stories get bogged down in red tape: if your detective isn’t a police officer, you need a justification, but the simpler the explanation, the better.

A LIFE LESS COSY

Mark: Isn’t “cozy crime” a bit derogatory? It seems like being served up easily. I want Bookish to be something engaging for a Sunday night, yet that doesn’t mean it should be bland or uncontroversial. While it may look like classic detective fiction in its costume, it’s not just an imitation. It addresses issues that still resonate today.

In my opinion, “cozy crime” refers to a genre of crime literature that offers a refreshing change from the usual, as it doesn’t involve grisly scenes of violence or disturbing characters like psychopaths and sadists. It seems that readers might be growing tired of such heavy subject matter.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but point out the unique charm that draws us together – that certain “bank holiday” atmosphere. While Peter Ustinov’s portrayal of Poirot might veer towards the dramatic and campy, reminiscent of a vacation on the Orient Express, the stories themselves remain deeply rooted in darkness. It’s important to remember that we’re not watching these actors simply enjoying their time off. Instead, the motivations for the crimes are surprisingly somber and melancholic.

BROUGHT TO BOOK

Matthew: Writing the tie-in novel, I put back in the shots that were too expensive to film!

Mark: It feels as if you’ve penned a new version, as there were certain elements that we really wished we could have included in the production, but unfortunately ran out of time.

Matthew is suggesting that we envision these books as if they were written back in the 1960s by Nora, a character well-known within the series as an enthusiast of crime fiction. Writing these stories as novellas for potential movies, Nora continues to inhabit the world and the narrative, but there’s a rationale behind their creation.

Mark: Nora mentions that her account is similar to John H Watson’s Reminiscences, found in the first Sherlock Holmes book A Study in Scarlet (specifically part one). However, she clarifies that this isn’t an exact recollection of events, but rather how she remembers them. It’s possible that some characters may not have been real.

The books play a significant role in the show, and they are turned into written works. As a result, the narrative has gained some history and a bit of age. I imagine that someday, after many years have passed, the TV series will end with a flash-forward to the 60s, depicting Nora signing these books containing all the stories you’ve been following.

Mark: Considering the nature of the series, it seems quite natural that there’d be a related novel! It adds a delightful touch to the collection. It seems as though it belongs on Bookshelf!

Photography – Adam Lawrence @adamlawrencephotographer

Grooming – Rebecca Richards @rebeccarichardsmakeup

Bookish begins on U&Alibi on Wednesday 16th July at 8pm.

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2025-07-08 03:13