Series synopsis
Black Books is a British comedy television series that premiered on Channel 4 on September 29, 2000. It ended on April 15, 2004. It was created by Dylan Moran, Graham Linehan. It stars Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig.
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 ha ...
Premise
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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Dylan Moran as Bernard
- Bill Bailey as Manny
- Tamsin Greig as Fran
Guest cast
- Keith Allen as Dave 'Mouse Ear' Smith
- Craig Parkinson as Martin the Tout
- Jiggy Bhore as Light Holiday Customer
- Justin Edwards as Poker Customer
- Su Elliot as Betting Clerk
- Jane Janovic as American Customer's Wife
- Steve Lately as Poker Player
- Huggy Leaver as Poker Player
- Martin Freeman as Doctor
- Kevin Eldon as Cleaner
- Chris Larner as Freddie
- Omid Djalili as Trebor
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 31 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 13 | April 30, 2000 | April 30, 2004 |
| Season 1 | 6 | September 29, 2000 | November 3, 2000 |
| Season 2 | 6 | March 1, 2002 | April 5, 2002 |
| Season 3 | 6 | March 11, 2004 | April 15, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Series One Outtakes | April 30, 2000 |
| 2 | Series Two Outtakes | September 1, 2001 |
| 3 | Series Three Outtakes | April 30, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Cooking the Books 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. |
September 29, 2000 |
| 2 |
Manny's First Day 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. |
October 6, 2000 |
| 3 |
Grapes of Wrath Bernard and Manny accept a house-sitting job to get away from their new cleaner. They also drink some wine. |
October 13, 2000 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Entertainer 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. |
March 1, 2002 |
| 2 |
Fever 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". |
March 8, 2002 |
| 3 |
The Fixer 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. |
March 15, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Manny Come Home 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. |
March 11, 2004 |
| 2 |
Elephants and Hens 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. |
March 18, 2004 |
| 3 |
Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa Manny's parents visit the shop for the weekend, and the lies he's told them throw Fran and Bernard's lives into chaos. |
March 25, 2004 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 29, 2000 |
| Last aired | April 15, 2004 |
| Runtime | 25 minutes |
| Status | Ended |