Unveiling the Influence: How Jon Pertwee Inspired Mark Gatiss’s Detective Creation

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Mark Gatiss is not only involved in the creation but also appears in the latest mystery series called “Bookish.” This intriguing detective drama revolves around the proprietor of an antique bookstore set in the year 1946.

Gatiss, renowned for his work in series such as Doctor Who, takes on the lead role of Gabriel Book, a character with a unique talent – he assists the police in resolving criminal cases.

In addition, he’s wedded to his long-time friend Trottie, but behind closed doors, he conceals the truth about his sexual orientation, as homosexuality was outlawed during that era.

Recently, Gatiss had an exclusive chat with TopMob for our upcoming interview series titled “The TopMob Writers’ Room”. The complete video will be accessible starting from July 16th, coinciding with the release of Bookish.

During our chat, Gatiss confessed that he’d long harbored a desire to portray a detective. Yet, as he prepared to deliver the lines for the first time, he found himself uncertain about the best way to embody the character.

As a passionate cinephile, I found it intriguing that during the audition process for fellow actors, I uttered those lines for the very first time.

As I found myself grappling with this new project, I frequently turned to Carolina, the director, expressing my uncertainty: “I’m still figuring this out, but how will it resonate?” Interestingly enough, the wisdom of Doctor Who from my childhood often echoed in my thoughts during these discussions. After all, even the Doctors had their moments of doubt when faced with a complex conversation.

In a memorable statement, Jon Pertwee once declared, “I simply portrayed myself in the role.” This approach was unique for him because he had always employed humor by adopting different voices. However, what makes his Doctor character exceptional is its straight-forwardness, despite Pertwee being a naturally humorous individual. This aspect of his performance was captivating to me.

Gatiss expressed gratitude for having some extra moments, stating, “This allowed me to experiment a bit, thinking, ‘I believe this is effective, that’s not, let’s give that a shot.’

In essence, it is a blend of elements. It’s written down, I can imagine its sound, and then I need to consider how it’s being interpreted.

The series titled “Bookish,” featuring Polly Walker, Elliot Levey, Connor Finch, Blake Harrison, and Buket Kömür, has already secured a renewal for its second season. Production on this upcoming season is set to commence shortly.

During a chat at the “TopMob Writers’ Room”, Gatiss opened up about his creative endeavors, including his projects like The League of Gentlemen, Doctor Who, Sherlock and others.

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2025-07-11 09:34