Upcoming television series Bookish, created and starring Mark Gatiss, has piqued interest among international buyers eager to secure distribution rights ahead of its launch on UKTV in the UK and PBS in the U.S. The series, which has been described as quirky, features Gatiss in the role of Gabriel Book, an eccentric bookshop owner who has a past as a spy and now aids the police in solving complex murder cases.
With the distribution handled by Beta Film, presales of Bookish have already been concluded with a number of networks. These include BBC First for the Benelux region, AMC Networks for Latin America, TRT in Turkey, and HRT in Croatia. Further distribution agreements are reportedly underway as anticipation builds for its debut.
Set in late 1940s London, a period marked by prohibitive laws concerning homosexuality, the show intricately weaves the personal and professional life of its protagonist. Gabriel Book is married to Trottie, who owns a wallpaper shop next door. However, their marriage is depicted as one of convenience, reflecting the societal constraints of the time, as Book is a gay man navigating a world where his identity is not legally accepted.
Alongside Gatiss, the cast features talent including Polly Walker, known for her role in Bridgerton, as well as Joely Richardson (The Gentleman), Connor Finch (Everything I Know About Love), Daniel Mays (Code 404), and Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83).
The premiere of Bookish follows closely on the heels of the London TV Screenings, a significant event in the international television calendar, where Beta Film will promote the series further. This year, the Screenings will take place at Picturehouse Central, providing a platform for numerous international titles.
Bookish is part of a diverse slate of offerings from Beta Film, which includes the international premiere of the tax-fraud drama Other People’s Money at the Berlinale, set to play in its Panorama section. The series, directed by Jan Schomburg, is a collaborative production involving multiple prominent European companies. Other notable titles in Beta’s lineup for the London event include the Spanish thriller Shades, featuring Elsa Pataky, and “Unforgettable – Memories of Revenge, a French remake of a popular Turkish drama that explores themes of retribution intertwined with dementia.
The London Screenings will take place on Tuesday, providing an opportunity for Beta Film to showcase its selection of new offerings to international audiences. The excitement surrounding Bookish highlights both the growing interest in LGBTQ+ narratives within mainstream media and the potential for significant commercial success as distribution channels expand further into international markets.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookish_(TV_series) – This URL supports the claim that ‘Bookish’ is a British crime drama series created by Mark Gatiss, set in 1946 London, where an unconventional bookshop owner aids the police in solving crimes.
- https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/bookish-cast-plot-and-everything-we-know – This URL corroborates the information about ‘Bookish’ being a crime drama starring Mark Gatiss as Gabriel Book, an antique book seller who helps solve crimes, and Polly Walker as his wife Trottie.
- https://www.rts.org.uk/article/uktv-releases-first-look-images-new-mark-gatiss-drama-bookish – This URL provides details about the first-look images of ‘Bookish’ and its cast, including Mark Gatiss and Polly Walker, and the setting of the series in post-war London.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is the source of the original article discussing international interest in ‘Bookish,’ its distribution by Beta Film, and its cast.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent distribution agreements and upcoming events like the London TV Screenings, indicating it is current and not recycled.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Deadline, a reputable entertainment news outlet, though not as universally recognized as major news agencies like the BBC or Reuters.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the series and its distribution are plausible, given the context of international television markets and the involvement of known networks and talent.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and well-supported by plausible claims about the television series ‘Bookish.’ It lacks direct quotes but originates from a reputable entertainment news source.
