Overview
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.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
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.
Season 2
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.
Season 3
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.
Key Information
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Cast & Crew
Dylan Moran
Bernard
Bill Bailey
Manny
Tamsin Greig
Fran
Ben Homewood
Customer
Daisy Campbell
Julie
Paul Beech
Customer
Graham Linehan
Book Lover
Keith Allen
Dave 'Mouse Ear' Smith
Craig Parkinson
Martin the Tout
Jiggy Bhore
Light Holiday Customer
Justin Edwards
Poker Customer
Su Elliot
Betting Clerk
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
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...
Black Books has 3 seasons with 18 episodes.
Black Books premiered on September 29, 2000.
No, Black Books has ended. The final episode aired on April 15, 2004.
Black Books originally aired on Channel 4. Check your local streaming services for availability.
Black Books was created by Dylan Moran.
Black Books has a rating of 8.1/10 based on user reviews.
Black Books is classified as Comedy.