Black Books poster

Black Books

Created by Dylan Moran, Graham Linehan

2000–2004

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.

First aired
29 Sep 2000
Episode length
24 min
Also known as
Černá kniha, Blackovo knihkupectví, Kirjava joukko, ブラック・ブックス
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Writers
Andy Riley, Arthur Mathews, Dylan Moran and 2 others
Cinematography
Andy Hollis, John Rosenberg
Music
Jonathan Whitehead
Editors
Nick Ames, Paul Machliss
Executive producer
William Burdett-Coutts
Producer
Nira Park
Elsewhere
TMDB

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  • Comedy

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Cast

Seasons · 18 episodes

  • Season 1

    2000

    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

    2002

    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

    2004

    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.

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