TV series
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.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Black Books is available to stream on Prime Video, Fubo, Amazon Freevee, Fawesome, Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
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.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
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.
Directed by Graham Linehan, Nick WoodWritten by Dylan Moran, Graham LinehanGuest stars Martin Freeman, Tony Bluto, Stephen Boswell, John MacNeill, Jeillo Edwards, Michael Parkhouse, Eamonn O'Neill, James O'Neill
Episode 2
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.
Directed by Graham Linehan, Nick WoodWritten by Dylan Moran, Graham LinehanGuest stars David Cann, Rhys Thomas, John Arthur, Stewart Wright, Ben Homewood, Graham Linehan, Bill Nighy
Episode 3
Bernard and Manny accept a house-sitting job to get away from their new cleaner. They also drink some wine.
Directed by Graham Linehan, Nick WoodWritten by Dylan Moran, Graham LinehanGuest stars Kevin Eldon, Chris Larner, Mark Aiken, Paul Beech, Daisy Campbell, Ben Homewood
Episode 4
A hyper, coffee fueled Manny is mistaken for a policeman.
Directed by Graham Linehan, Nick WoodWritten by Dylan Moran, Graham LinehanGuest stars Elizabeth Marmur, Hugh Parker, Angela Curran, Liam Hess, Evie Garratt, Colin McFarlane, Terry Bird, Louise Hickson
Episode 5
The shop gets a new security system that no-one can work.
Directed by Graham Linehan, Nick WoodWritten by Dylan Moran, Graham LinehanGuest stars Peter Serafinowicz, Nick Frost, Paul Beech, Steve Bowditch, Tony Way, Graham Linehan
Episode 6
Manny runs away from the bookshop into the arms of a beard loving photographer.
Directed by Graham Linehan, Nick WoodWritten by Dylan Moran, Graham LinehanGuest stars Omid Djalili, David Walliams, Sophie Stanton
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Dylan MoranBernard
Bill BaileyManny
Tamsin GreigFran
Keith AllenDave 'Mouse Ear' Smith
Craig ParkinsonMartin the Tout
Justin EdwardsPoker Customer
Channel 4United Kingdom
Channel 4 TelevisionUnited Kingdom
Big Talk StudiosUnited Kingdom
