Bernard Ludwig Black, played by comedian and writer of the series Dylan Moran, is a fictional bookshop owner and one of the main characters in the British sitcom, Black Books. Bernard, the owner of the bookshop 'Black Books', is a heavy alcoholic and smoker and has been known to be rude and obnoxious to the customers in his shop. The only people Bernard can be said to share a friendship with are Manny Bianco, his assistant and flat mate, and Fran Katzenjammer, his best friend and neighbour.