Black Books

Bernard Black runs a book shop, though his customer service skills leave something to be desired. He hires Manny as an employee. Fran runs the shop next door. Between the three of them many adventures ensue.

Genre: Comedy

Cast:Dylan Moran , Bill Bailey , Tamsin Greig , Paul Beech , Daisy Campbell , Ben Homewood , Nick Frost , Tony Way , Omid Djalili , Mark Aiken , John Arthur , Terry Bird , Tony Bluto , Jessica Hynes , Nina Conti , Rose Keegan , Mick Walter , Howard Coggins

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Cooking the Books

Fri, Sep 29, 2000

Bernard is struggling to cope with getting down to menial but essential tasks for his book shop, such as the accounts when a chance meeting with a customer, Manny, helps him out. Meanwhile, the owner of the shop next door, enlists the help of Bernard and his customers to find out exactly what an object from her shop is and in doing so misses an important appointment.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Manny's First Day

Fri, Oct 6, 2000

Bernard wakes up to discover that he has a new employee for his book shop, who infuriatingly has great skill at selling books. While Bernard is reluctant to keep him on, Fran makes her feelings clear on the matter.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Grapes of Wrath

Fri, Oct 13, 2000

After Manny calls a cleaner to the shop, he and Bernard must vacate it. Luckily they are asked to house sit for a friend. Meanwhile Fran goes on an ill-fated date.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ The Blackout

Fri, Oct 20, 2000

Manny stays up watching 'The Sweeney' and is mistaken for a policeman after chasing a handbag snatcher. Fran and Bernard exchange stories about their previous day, Bernard recalling a disastrous dinner party with old friends who blanked him and Fran telling him about blanking her boyfriend after catching him with another woman.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ The Big Lock-Out

Fri, Oct 27, 2000

Following a burglary Bernard buys a sophisticated alarm system which results in Manny getting locked inside the shop and Bernard stuck outside in the rain. Fran is no help as she took her phone off the hook to listen to the sexy man reading the shipping forecast.

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ He's Leaving Home

Fri, Nov 3, 2000

Manny finally gets fed up with Bernard's constant abuse and demands on him so he leaves for a better life. However, he doesn't get far when he meets a man at King's Cross station who wants to make him a star. Meanwhile back at the shop Fran and Bernard are arguing more and more about Manny's departure.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ Manny Come Home

Thu, Mar 11, 2004

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.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Elephants and Hens

Thu, Mar 18, 2004

When Bernard holds a children's themed book day in the shop, Fran bets Manny 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.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa

Thu, Mar 25, 2004

Manny's parents visit the shop for the weekend, and the lies he's told them throw Fran and Bernard's lives into chaos.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ A Little Flutter

Thu, Apr 1, 2004

Bernard becomes addicted to gambling and forces Manny and Fran to compete for one job at the shop in order to finance his bets.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Travel Writer

Thu, Apr 8, 2004

Fran & Manny become enamored with a dashing travel writer giving a talk at the shop, while Bernard contends with a most unorthodox new landlord.

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ Party

Thu, Apr 15, 2004

Manny and Fran drag Bernard along with them to a party, but the drunken aftermath dredges up secrets and bitterness.

Black Books

S1.E1 ∙ Cooking the Books

S1.E2 ∙ Manny's First Day

S1.E3 ∙ Grapes of Wrath

S1.E4 ∙ The Blackout

S1.E5 ∙ The Big Lock-Out

S1.E6 ∙ He's Leaving Home

S2.E1 ∙ The Entertainer

S2.E2 ∙ Fever

S2.E3 ∙ The Fixer

S2.E4 ∙ Blood