Latest episode
S3 E6 · Party
Black Books is a comedy TV series that premiered on Channel 4 on September 29, 2000. It has 3 seasons and 18 episodes so far and has ended. The latest episode, Season 3 Episode 6 "Party", aired on April 15, 2004.
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.
Last updated
18 episodes · 3 seasons
2000 · 6 episodes · Last episode: 26 years ago
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.
Black Books Season 1 release dates →
E6
Manny runs away from the bookshop into the arms of a beard loving photographer.
E5
The shop gets a new security system that no-one can work.
E4
A hyper, coffee fueled Manny is mistaken for a policeman.
E3
Bernard and Manny accept a house-sitting job to get away from their new cleaner. They also drink some wine.
E2
After Manny’s help with the tax return Bernard is persuaded to hire him in the shop. Unfortunately he actually sells some books, much to Bernard’s annoyance.
E1
Bernard’s dodgy accountant has to go on the run, leaving him ill prepared to fill out his own tax return. In fact Bernard would rather do anything than fill it out.
2002 · 6 episodes · Last episode: 24 years ago
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.
Black Books Season 2 release dates →
E6
When construction starts next door to the shop, Manni, Bernard and Fran try to decide what to do while it continues.
E5
Fran tries to cleanse her lifestyle by taking up yoga and going on a radical diet, while Bernard and Manni receive some books on Freud and their lives descend into his famous theories.
E4
Manni and Bernard try to keep up with modern book shops and in doing so Manni helps Fran get over her boredom by encouraging her to look up her family tree.
E3
Bernard and Manni have to deal with a gangster turned writer who plans to hold a reading of his autobiography at the book shop, however he can't read. Meanwhile Fran gets an office job where she isn't quite sure what she is meant to be doing.
E2
On a scorching hot day, Manni tries to maintain his body temperature so it doesn't go over 88 degrees; Fran has problems with a new neighbour, and Bernard tries to find an appropriate "summer girl".
E1
Fran decides to take up piano lessons with a very prominent teacher, however all doesn't go to plan and she ends up having to ask Manni for a favour. Meanwhile Bernard asks a girl out and once again Manni is called upon for a favour.
2004 · 6 episodes · Last episode: 22 years ago
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.
Black Books Season 3 release dates →
E6
Manny and Fran drag Bernard along with them to a party, but the drunken aftermath dredges up secrets and bitterness.
E5
Fran & Manny become enamored with a dashing travel writer giving a talk at the shop, while Bernard contends with a most unorthodox new landlord.
E4
Bernard becomes addicted to gambling and forces Manny and Fran to compete for one job at the shop in order to finance his bets.
E3
Manny's parents visit the shop for the weekend, and the lies he's told them throw Fran and Bernard's lives into chaos.
E2
When Bernard holds a children's themed book day in the shop, Fran bets Manni and Bernard they couldn't write a children's book over a weekend, while Bernard bets Fran back that she will have an awful time at her friend's hen party.
E1
When Manny defects to Goliath Books after an "incident" with Bernard, his ex-employer's life spirals out of control. Meanwhile Fran returns from holiday only to be greeted by the squalor of Bernard's shop.
Created by Dylan Moran and Graham Linehan
Keith Allen
Dave 'Mouse Ear' Smith
Craig Parkinson
Martin the Tout
Jiggy Bhore
Light Holiday Customer
Justin Edwards
Poker Customer
Su Elliot
Betting Clerk
Jane Janovic
American Customer's Wife
Steve Lately
Poker Player
Huggy Leaver
Poker Player
Martin Freeman
Doctor
Kevin Eldon
Cleaner
Chris Larner
Freddie
Omid Djalili
Trebor
David Walliams
Customer
Sophie Stanton
Policewoman
Mark Aiken
Ben
Elizabeth Marmur
Sarah
Black Books has ended, so no new episodes are scheduled. The final episode aired on April 15, 2004.
The most recent episode of Black Books, Season 3 Episode 6 "Party", aired on April 15, 2004.
Black Books has 3 seasons with 18 episodes in total.
Black Books first aired on Channel 4 on September 29, 2000.
Download the Streambay app, follow Black Books, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.
5.4
5.0
5.8
8.2
6.1
6.5
5.1
8.0
8.6
6.4
7.4
6.3
Download Streambay and follow Black Books. We’ll notify you the moment a new episode is released. It’s free, with no sign-up and no personal information required.
