Unveiling the Hidden Filming Locations of Bookish: You Won’t Believe It’s Not London!

The unique new detective series titled “Bookish,” created by both writer and performer Mark Gatiss, is characterized by its style and ambiance, largely because of its 1940s backdrop.

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself utterly captivated by a captivating series that unfolds from the perspective of a character I deeply resonate with – Gabriel Book, an antiquarian bookshop owner in post-war 1946. Not only is he the proprietor of this enchanting bookstore, but his unique talent for crime-solving also finds him assisting the local police force in their investigations. The intriguing blend of literature and mystery makes every episode a thrilling adventure!

In the initial run, you’ll find six episodes comprising the first season, but each pair of those episodes tackles a fresh case. Rest assured, fans won’t feel cheated with just three cases; the show has indeed been reinstated for another season, season 2.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve often pondered over how they managed to create such an authentic 1940s setting for the series. So, where was it filmed to achieve this striking period accuracy?

Read on for everything you need to know about the filming locations used for Bookish.

Where is Bookish set?

The story “Bookish” unfolds in the bustling metropolis of London, featuring a quaint bookstore called Book’s, nestled within a fictitious lane named Archangel Lane, right at the core of the urban jungle.

As a cinephile traversing through this urban tale, I’ve found myself exploring various corners of the city, from bustling streets to hidden gems like a movie studio and an iconic hotel named The Walsingham.

We also see him sat on the bank of the River Thames, opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Where is Bookish filmed?

Interestingly enough, even though Bookish appears to be firmly rooted in the streets of London, most of its filming took place quite a distance away, specifically in Belgium.

Archangel Lane’s unique filming location can be found in Namur, a city situated just south of central Belgium. Additional scenes from around the country were shot in places like Ghent, Antwerp, Charleroi, and Sint-Niklaas.

Polly Walker, who portrays Trottie – Book’s wife on the show, commented about filming in Belgium: “The sets are stunning, and the locations! We often see familiar spots in the UK, but uncovering these unique and amazing places here in Belgium has been a delightful surprise.

In the meantime, Connor Finch, who portrays Jack, expressed his delight about the show being filmed in Belgium. He stated that it wasn’t necessary for the series to be set in London since the London depicted wouldn’t evoke the same atmosphere as the one viewers would experience back home.

He went on to say, ‘Ghent is stunning.’ Plus, in Antwerp, I felt like I was pedaling along cobblestone roads on a bike. Bikes were much lighter back then. It may seem insignificant, but those small details have an impact. I didn’t think it would make a difference, but it does.

Indeed, it doesn’t imply that no shooting took place in London whatsoever. In fact, there were reports of Gatiss and other actors being filmed in the city during 2024, specifically, they were captured on camera filming an outdoor scene outside The Walsingham Hotel.

Read More

2025-07-16 18:36