Black Books poster

Black Books

2000 to 2004 Comedy 3 seasons

TMDB rating 8.1/10 Ended

Black Books centres around the foul tempered and wildly eccentric bookshop owner Bernard Black. Bernard’s devotion to the twin pleasures of drunkenness and wilful antagonism deepens and enriches both his life and that of Manny, his assistant. Bearded, sweet and good, Manny is everything that Bernard isn’t and is punished by Bernard relentlessly just for the crime of existing. They depend on each other for meaning as Fran, their oldest friend, depends on them for distraction. Black Books is a haven of books, wine and conversation, the only threat to the group’s peace and prosperity is their own limitless stupidity.

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Seasons3

  • Meet Bernard Black, a foul tempered and eccentric bookshop owner who loves his books but hates his customers. Manny is Bernard's long-suffering assistant and Fran is the owner of the gift shop next door to Black Books. Black Books explores Manny and Fran's efforts to ensure Bernard has some contact with the outside world and charts the comical consequences of their efforts.

    All episodes available

    TMDB rating 7.6/10

  • In season two, Bernard is convinced the Manny is mad; Manny worries about the reliability of his magic hot water bottle and uses his underworld connections to help find Fran a job. Fran struggles to find her inner karma in-between trying to find her cigarettes and making excuses to have another drink. Under the constant threat from the nasty, unfeeling outside world, Bernard, Manny and Fran attempt to maintain the heaven of the bookshop even as their own relentless stupidity pushes them towards mayhem.

    All episodes available

    TMDB rating 7.5/10

  • Bernard Black is back for a third season of his multi-award winning and critically acclaimed comedy. Black Books continues to explore the musing and time-wasting techniques of raddled proprietor Bernard Black, his shy, multi-challenged assistant Manny Bianco and their underachieving friend Fran Katzenjammer.

    All episodes available

    TMDB rating 7.6/10

This show also has specials. Specials never affect your progress, new seasons, or completion.

Cast and details

  • Dylan MoranBernard
  • Bill BaileyManny
  • Tamsin GreigFran
  • Ben HomewoodCustomer
  • Daisy CampbellJulie
  • Paul BeechCustomer
  • Graham LinehanBook Lover
  • Keith AllenDave 'Mouse Ear' Smith
  • Craig ParkinsonMartin the Tout
  • Jiggy BhoreLight Holiday Customer
  • Justin EdwardsPoker Customer
  • Su ElliotBetting Clerk
Created by
Dylan Moran, Graham Linehan
Network
Channel 4
First aired
Sep 29, 2000
Latest episode
Apr 15, 2004

Ideal

2005

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Release dates are original schedules and may differ from availability in your country. A release never marks anything as watched. Last checked Nov 2, 2026.Schedule data from TVmaze, CC BY-SA.