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Black Books

2000·Show
18Episodes in3Seasons·TV-PG
IMDb8.4Metacritic–8.5Rotten Tomatoes93%92%
Episode ratings

Where to watch

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Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

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Your score

Black Books fingerprint

Very funny, immersive world, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace4
  • Tension3
  • Spectacle2

Heart

Emotionally reserved

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics7
  • Melancholy5
  • Pathos4

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit and absurdist humor

  • Wit & Wordplay10
  • Absurdist Humor9
  • Dark Humor9

World

Family

Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability9
  • Novelty8

Craft

Standout dialogue, performances, and characters

  • Dialogue Quality10
  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6

About

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.
British SitcomMisanthropic HumorBookstore SettingCharacter-Driven ComedyAbsurdist ScenariosSharp DialogueCult ClassicDry WitAnti-Social Charm

Crew

Directed by:
Martin Dennis, Graham Linehan, Nick Wood
Written by:
Dylan Moran, Andy Riley, Kevin Cecil
Produced by:
Nira Park
Composed by:
Jonathan Whitehead

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Black Books

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Black Books worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89/100 (IMDb 8.4 and Rotten Tomatoes 93%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Black Books rated?

TV-PGStrong languageDrug use

It's rated TV-PG in the United States. Content advisories: strong language and drug use.

How many seasons does Black Books have?

3 seasons

It has 3 seasons with 18 episodes of about 25 minutes each.

Do critics and audiences agree on Black Books?

Critics93
Audiences87

Yes. Critics average 93 and audiences 87 out of 100, so both groups see Black Books much the same way.

When did Black Books air?

It ran from 2000 to 2004 and has ended.

What language is Black Books in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch Black Books?

8AUCAGBIEMXNZPLUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Black Books in 8 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Black Books use?

A Glass in the HandMistaken for ProfoundThe AlcoholicModel ScamBedmate RevealYou Do NOT Want to KnowBroken TreasureMinimalist CastBrick JokeWimp FightLethal ChefAnswer Cutand 149 more

TV Tropes lists 161 storytelling tropes for Black Books, including A Glass in the Hand, Mistaken for Profound, The Alcoholic.