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Bookish season 2 air date finally confirmed as beloved Mark Gatiss series returns at last
Gabriel Book will be back to crack three more cases.
UKTV/Guillaume Van Laethem
- James Hibbs
Published: Wednesday, 12 August 2026 at 12:02 pm
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It's almost time to return to Archangel Lane, with the return of Mark Gatiss's beloved detective series Bookish set for later this month.
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Bookish season 2 will officially start airing at 8pm on Wednesday 26 August on U&Alibi, with the series also available on demand on Sky, Virgin Media and NOW.
As with the previous season, the episodes will be aired in double bills, with every two instalments covering one case.
Gatiss, Polly Walker, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey, Blake Harrison and Buket Kömür will all be back as their central characters, while season 2 will also feature a slew of guest stars, including Jason Watkins (McDonald & Dodds), Miranda Richardson (Blackadder), Simon Callow (Doctor Who), Rupert Graves (Sherlock), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) and more.
The synopsis for the first story, titled Memento Mori, says: "On Archangel Lane, the doors of Book’s Books reopen for a thrilling second series as Gabriel Book (Gatiss) is drawn into his most haunting case yet.
"When charismatic medium Harold Sneed (Watkins) hosts a mysterious séance, a table full of suspects are suddenly under investigation.
"Reuniting with Inspector Bliss (Levey), Book investigates a group of lost souls all searching for connections to the spirit world. Mrs Dredge (Rosie Cavaliero) returns alongside the eccentric Plumchute sisters (Sara Crowe, Amanda Lawrence), Sneed’s watchful assistant Ayesha (Saffron Coomber) and the dashing Colonel Reggie Winters (Graves).
"Meanwhile, Jack (Finch) and Trottie (Walker) devise a plan to investigate the private lives of the suspects. Nora (Kömür) escapes her responsibilities to her uncle Yusuf (Youssef Kerkour), and the bookshop comes under threat as Sergeant Morris (Harrison) begins an investigation of his own."
Mark Gatiss, Connor Finch, Elliot Levey and Nadia Albina in Bookish. UKTV
Gatiss recently told Radio Times that season 2 "has a slightly broader canvas" than season 2, explaining: "In episodes 5 and 6 we go to Germany. I also think it’s more intriguing emotionally.
"Some of the secrets are unlocked and some questions are answered."
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Bookish season 2 starts at 8pm on Wednesday 26 August on U&Alibi.
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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.
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