HBO Max acquires Mark Gatiss series ‘Bookish’ for Australia, exceeding 100 territories in sales

HBO Max has added the charming crime series Bookish to its lineup in Australia. The series is authored by Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss, who also features in it as the show heads into its second installment.

Set in post-war London during the 1940s, the drama revolves around a literature-loving detective, Book (Gatiss), assisting the police with their trickiest mysteries.

He is a gay man during an era when being homosexual is forbidden, and he is in a marriage of convenience with his childhood friend Trottie, portrayed by Polly Walker (Bridgerton).

Bookish is a valuable part of Beta Film's catalog, which markets the show globally. The series has secured additional deals, with HBO Max among the buyers, and has been acquired by Radio Canada, Sky New Zealand, Viasat World for Central and Eastern Europe, BBC Brit for Africa, and Italy's public broadcaster RAI.

These agreements mean the series has now reached the impressive milestone of 100 territories.

Cozy crime dramas are in demand worldwide, and this show has been warmly welcomed. Earlier agreements included distribution through AMC Networks for Latin America and Brazil, BBC First for the Benelux region, TRT for Turkey, HRT for Croatia, DR for Denmark, and SVT for Sweden, among others.

Bookish is produced for UKTV in the United Kingdom, where it airs on the Alibi channel.

The premiere episode attracted an average of 1.5 million viewers, ranking as its second most successful launch ever.

The second season is about to be released. Gatiss, Walker, and Connor Finch reprise their roles. Additional cast members include Elliot Levey (Quiz), Blake Harrison (World on Fire), and Buket Kömür (Our House).

The new season will introduce Jason Watkins (The Game), Miranda Richardson (The Last Anniversary), and Simon Callow (Étoile) to the ensemble.