Black Books follows the antics of the foul tempered and wildly eccentric bookshop owner, Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), his long-haired and equally long-suffering assistant Manny (Bill Bailey) and his best and possibly only friend – Fran (Tamsin Greig).

Bernard is driven by his own alcohol-fueled logic and anyone attempting to buy a book from him is more likely to meet with the full force of his foul temper than leave his shop with a purchase. Bernard loves his books and hates his customers – a combination unlikely to earn him a businessman of the year award.  Manny is laid back and considerate where Bernard is tense and embittered and Manny manages to breathe life and light into Bernard’s environment. The only person who can give Bernard a run for his money is his friend Fran – owner of Nifty Gifty – the gift shop situated next to Black Books. Fran is arguably just as crazy and sardonic as Bernard and can be charmingly engaging one minute and totally paranoid the next.

Programming Note: Black Books will conclude its current broadcast run on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Watch for the hilarious Retired at 35 starring George Segal, Johnathan McClain and Jessica Walter to return to our line up beginning Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT.

Scroll down for Series 3 episode synopses and to catch up on previous episodes! Previous episodes will be available online for two weeks following their broadcast date.

SERIES 3 PHOTOS
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The Montreux and BAFTA award-winning sitcom Black Books, set in the bookshop of the same name, returns for a third series, starring creator and writer Dylan Moran alongside Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig.

Black Books concerns the musings, doings and time-frittering techniques of raddled proprietor Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), his shy, multi-challenged assistant Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey) and their under-achieving friend Fran Katzenjammer (Tamsin Greig). This dubious trio form a family of sorts to protect each other from the realities of modern London, but nothing can protect them from each other.

The third series is co-written by Moran, Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley, and features guest performances from: Keith Allen (Martin Chuzzlewit, Born To Run, Shallow Grave), Annette Crosbie (One Foot in the Grave), Olivia Colman (Peep Show, Green Wing), Lucy Davis (The Office, Shaun of the Dead), Sam Kelly (‘Allo ‘Allo, Martin Chuzzlewit, All or Nothing), Simon Pegg (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Hippies, Notting Hill, Clocking Off).

EPISODES: SERIES 3
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EPISODE #3-1: Manny Come Home
Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

Fran comes back from holiday to discover that Manny has resigned and is now working next door at Goliath Books. Left to his own devices, Bernard has let things slip a little. He is living amid a pile of rubbish, rotting food and dead badgers. Fran wants to get Manny back in Black Books so he can clear up and make her tea, but Evan, the manager of Goliath, has plans for Manny and has no intention of letting him go. Featuring Simon Pegg as Evan.

EPISODE #3-2: Elephants and Hens
Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

It’s International Children’s Book week in Black Books. Bernard and Manny decide that they can do better than the trash that children are offered these days, deciding to write their own kids’ classic and retire Rowling-rich. Fran is off on a hen weekend with her best friends from school so there’s no way she can fall out with them. Or is there? Featuring guest appearances from Lucy Davis as Becky, Pandora Colin as Claire and Olivia Colman as Tanya.

EPISODE #3-3: Moo-Ma and Moo-Pa
Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

Manny’s parents come to stay. They are a perfectly nice middle-aged couple with one or two slightly annoying habits. Bernard wants rid of them, preferably the day before yesterday. Fran is rather grumpy about pretending to be Manny’s girlfriend to corroborate Manny’s letters home, in which his life’s achievements have been somewhat exaggerated. Featuring guest appearances from Annette Crosbie as Moo-Ma and Sam Kelly as Moo-Pa.

EPISODE #3-4: A Little Flutter
Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

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. Fran, looking for work, needs a short-term job to appear employable. Bernard hires her, setting her off against Manny in competition for sales person of the century to replenish his dwindling funds. All the while Bernard is losing more and more money and borrowing gambling funds from scarier and scarier people. Featuring guest appearances from Keith Allen as Dave “Mouse Ear” Smith and Craig Parkinson as Martin the Tout.

EPISODE #3-5: Travel Writer
Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

Manny is extremely proud of the travel writing festival that he has organized. He has invited the famously charming explorer Jason Hamilton (Julian Rhind-Tutt) to give a talk. Fran soon falls for his twinkling eyes and lavish hair, leaving Manny ragingly jealous. Meanwhile, Bernard is more concerned about the rent charges he has to pay to his new neighbour. Rather than face a lengthy court case, he hires a professional assassin.

EPISODE #3-6: Party
Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

It’s Friday night. Manny and Fran are determined to go out and do something for once. Bernard would rather stay at home, get drunk and ignore his friends. Manny insists that they go to a particular party. But why? And anyway, who is the best dancer? Featuring Elizabeth Chadwick as Rowena.