Black Books
Black Books is a TV show on 4Music. BAFTA-winning sitcom about the antics of foul-tempered and eccentric bookshop owner Bernard Black, his long-haired and long-suffering assistant, Manny, and his best (in fact only) friend, Fran. The program has been available since 2025. A total of 16 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in July 2025.
Last episode
35:00
35:00Black Books
A Little Flutter: Manny puts a bet on the Grand National for Bernard, who claims not to be interested in gambling but immediately becomes completely addicted to it. (S3 Ep4/6)
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30:00Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa: Manny's parents come to stay - they're a nice couple with one or two slightly annoying habits. Which is why Bernard wants rid of them, preferably yesterday. (S3 Ep3/6)
35:00Elephants and Hens: It's International Children's Book Week and Bernard and Manny, deciding they can do better than the trash that children are being offered, write their own. (S3 Ep2/6)
35:00Manny Come Home: Fran comes back from holiday to discover that Manny has resigned and is now working next door at Goliath Books. And Bernard has let things slip a little... (S3 Ep1/6)
Series 2
35:00
35:00A Nice Change: Fran has suggested that she, Bernard and Manny go on holiday. But how will the three of them fare when they attempt to venture abroad together? (S2 Ep6/6)
35:00Hello Sun: Fran tries to discover her inner karma at the advice of her disapproving friend Eva. Meanwhile, Bernard finds positive proof that Manny is mad. (S2 Ep5/6)
30:00Blood: In pursuit of Michelin stars, Manny and Bernard transform the infested bookshop into a restaurant. Meanwhile, Fran explores her family tree. (S2 Ep4/6)
35:00The Fixer: Manny uses his underworld connections to find Fran mysterious employment. In return Bernard and Manny just have to educate a psychopath. (S2 Ep3/6)
35:00Fever: Fran can't sleep in the heat. Bernard needs a girlfriend to stop him staring. And Manny can't say what will happen if the temperature gets to 88 degrees. (S2 Ep2/6)
35:00The Entertainer: Series two starts with Fran, ever keen to distract herself, taking up piano. Ever keen to delude himself, Bernard falls in love. All Manny wants is a break. (S2 Ep1/6)
Series 1 30:00
30:00He's Leaving Home: Manny runs away when Bernard's bossiness gets too much. But life on the street is tough, so when a photographer offers him a place to stay, Manny moves in... (S1 Ep6/6)
35:00The Big Lock-out: The shop has a new security system that neither Bernard nor Manny can operate, resulting in Bernard being locked out for the evening, with Manny locked inside. (S1 Ep5/6)
35:00The Blackout: Feeling hyper after drinking too many espressos and watching an entire box-set of The Sweeney, Manny chases a bag snatcher and is mistaken for a policeman. (S1 Ep4/6)
35:00Grapes of Wrath: To avoid an oddly sensual cleaner, Bernard and Manny accept a house-sitting job, where they drink a bottle of wine that's much more expensive than they realise. (S1 Ep3/6)
35:00Manny's First Day: A drunk Bernard offers Manny a job at the bookshop then tries to get rid of him by putting him on a one-day trial. (S1 Ep2/6)
30:00Cooking the Books: Comedy about eccentric bookshop owner Bernard, his long-suffering assistant Manny and his best friend Fran, starring Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig. (S1 Ep1/6)