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
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.
Directed by Martin DennisWritten by Dylan MoranGuest stars Nina Conti, David McKail, Jean Ainslie, Luing Andrews, Edward Burnham, Kay D'Arcy, John Marquez, George Miller
Episode 2
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".
Directed by Martin DennisWritten by Dylan Moran, Kevin Cecil, Andy RileyGuest stars Rose Keegan, Johnny Vegas, Adam Astill, Jim Barclay, Selina Giles, Peter Heppelthwaite, Jasper Holmes, Nizwar Karanj
Episode 3
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.
Directed by Martin DennisWritten by Dylan Moran, Arthur MathewsGuest stars Ricky Grover, Rob Brydon, Mick Walter, Brian Shelley, Lonnie James, Rory MacGregor, Garry Roost
Episode 4
Manni and Bernard try to keep up with modern book shops and in doing so Manni helps Fran get over her boredom by encouraging her to look up her family tree.
Directed by Martin DennisWritten by Dylan Moran, Kevin Cecil, Andy RileyGuest stars Mark Donovan, Diana Hull, Vincenzo Nicoli, Louise Winstone, Andrew T. Collins, Nigel Harrison
Episode 5
Fran tries to cleanse her lifestyle by taking up yoga and going on a radical diet, while Bernard and Manni receive some books on Freud and their lives descend into his famous theories.
Directed by Martin DennisWritten by Dylan MoranGuest stars Jessica Hynes, Paul Kemp, Tania Wade, Simon Schatzberger, Richard Katz
Episode 6
When construction starts next door to the shop, Manni, Bernard and Fran try to decide what to do while it continues.
Directed by Martin DennisWritten by Dylan MoranGuest stars Howard Coggins, Miltos Yerolemou
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
