feat: add ImageLoadingService for downloading series artwork

- Create ImageLoadingService that downloads poster.jpg, fanart.jpg, and
  logo.png from TMDB when anime is added or during scheduler rescan
- Integrate into BackgroundLoaderService._load_nfo_and_images() to trigger
  image downloads when new anime is added
- Add image_scan_after_rescan config option to scheduler (default: true)
- Add _run_image_scan() to scheduler rescan flow, processing series in
  batches of 10 to respect TMDB rate limits
- Fix SearchResult model missing folder, snippet, and score fields
- Update background_loader tests to match new image loading behavior

src/server/models/anime.py

@@ -133,6 +133,29 @@ class SearchResult(BaseModel):
         )
     )
     title: str = Field(..., description="Series title")
+    folder: Optional[str] = Field(
+        None,
+        description=(
+            "Series folder name on disk (metadata only) "
+            "(e.g., 'Attack on Titan (2013)'). For display/filesystem ops only."
+        )
+    )
+    snippet: Optional[str] = Field(
+        None,
+        description="Search result snippet or description"
+    )
+    score: Optional[float] = Field(
+        None,
+        description="Search relevance score (0.0 to 1.0)"
+    )
+
+    @field_validator('key', mode='before')
+    @classmethod
+    def normalize_key(cls, v: str) -> str:
+        """Normalize key to lowercase."""
+        if isinstance(v, str):
+            return v.lower().strip()
+        return v
 
 
 class AnimeDetailsResponse(BaseModel):

src/server/models/config.py

@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ class SchedulerConfig(BaseModel):
                     "completes. Checks each series folder for tvshow.nfo and "
                     "creates or fills missing properties.",
     )
+    image_scan_after_rescan: bool = Field(
+        default=True,
+        description="Download series images (poster.jpg, fanart.jpg, logo.png) "
+                    "from TMDB after a scheduled rescan completes.",
+    )
     # Legacy alias fields — read via Pydantic alias
     auto_download: Optional[bool] = Field(default=None, alias="auto_download")
 

src/server/services/background_loader_service.py

@@ -498,23 +498,54 @@ class BackgroundLoaderService:
     async def _load_nfo_and_images(self, task: SeriesLoadingTask, db: Any) -> bool:
         """Load NFO file and images for a series.
 
-        Note: NFO service has been removed. This method now just marks
+        Downloads poster.jpg, fanart.jpg, and logo.png from TMDB
-        progress as False since NFO handling moved to server layer.
+        using the ImageLoadingService.
 
         Args:
             task: The loading task
             db: Database session
 
         Returns:
-            bool: Always False since NFO service removed
+            bool: True if any images were loaded, False otherwise
         """
         task.status = LoadingStatus.LOADING_NFO
-        await self._broadcast_status(task, "NFO loading disabled...")
+        await self._broadcast_status(task, "Loading images...")
 
-        task.progress["nfo"] = False
+        try:
-        task.progress["logo"] = False
+            from src.server.nfo.tmdb_client import get_tmdb_client
-        task.progress["images"] = False
+            from src.server.services.image_loading_service import (
-        return False
+                init_image_loading_service,
+            )
+
+            tmdb_client = get_tmdb_client()
+            image_service = init_image_loading_service(tmdb_client)
+
+            result = await image_service.load_series_images(
+                key=task.key,
+                folder=task.folder,
+                anime_directory=self.series_app.directory_to_search,
+                db=db,
+            )
+
+            task.progress["nfo"] = True  # NFO was already created earlier in the flow
+            task.progress["logo"] = result.get("logo", False)
+            task.progress["images"] = result.get("poster", False) and result.get("fanart", False)
+
+            logger.info(
+                "Images loaded for series %s: poster=%s fanart=%s logo=%s",
+                task.key,
+                result.get("poster", False),
+                result.get("fanart", False),
+                result.get("logo", False),
+            )
+            return True
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("Failed to load images for series %s: %s", task.key, e)
+            task.progress["nfo"] = True
+            task.progress["logo"] = False
+            task.progress["images"] = False
+            return False
     
     async def _scan_missing_episodes(self, task: SeriesLoadingTask, db: Any) -> None:
         """Scan for missing episodes after NFO creation.

src/server/services/image_loading_service.py

@@ -0,0 +1,387 @@
+"""Image loading service for downloading series artwork from TMDB.
+
+This service downloads poster.jpg, fanart.jpg, and logo.png images
+for anime series using TMDB as the image source.
+
+Integrated with:
+- BackgroundLoaderService: triggered when adding new anime
+- SchedulerService: triggered during scheduled rescan
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
+
+import structlog
+from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession
+
+from src.server.database.service import AnimeSeriesService
+from src.server.nfo.tmdb_client import TMDBClient
+from src.server.utils.image_downloader import ImageDownloader
+from src.server.utils.media import FANART_FILENAME, LOGO_FILENAME, POSTER_FILENAME
+
+logger = structlog.get_logger(__name__)
+
+
+class ImageLoadingServiceError(Exception):
+    """Exception raised for image loading failures."""
+
+
+class ImageLoadingService:
+    """Service for loading series images from TMDB.
+
+    Downloads poster.jpg, fanart.jpg, and logo.png for anime series
+    using TMDB as the image source. Images are saved to the series
+    folder alongside tvshow.nfo.
+
+    Attributes:
+        tmdb_client: TMDB API client for fetching image URLs
+        image_downloader: Downloader for saving images to disk
+    """
+
+    # Batch size for scheduler bulk processing
+    BATCH_SIZE = 10
+
+    def __init__(self, tmdb_client: TMDBClient):
+        """Initialize the image loading service.
+
+        Args:
+            tmdb_client: TMDB API client for fetching image metadata
+        """
+        self._tmdb_client = tmdb_client
+
+    async def load_series_images(
+        self,
+        key: str,
+        folder: str,
+        anime_directory: str,
+        db: AsyncSession,
+    ) -> Dict[str, bool]:
+        """Load all images for a single series.
+
+        Downloads poster.jpg, fanart.jpg, and logo.png from TMDB
+        if they don't already exist in the series folder.
+
+        Args:
+            key: Series unique identifier (provider key)
+            folder: Series folder name (metadata, for path construction)
+            anime_directory: Base anime directory path
+            db: Database session
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict with download status for each image type:
+            {
+                "poster": bool,  # True if poster.jpg exists/downloads succeeded
+                "fanart": bool,  # True if fanart.jpg exists/downloads succeeded
+                "logo": bool     # True if logo.png exists/downloads succeeded
+            }
+        """
+        series_dir = Path(anime_directory) / folder
+
+        if not series_dir.exists():
+            logger.warning(
+                "Series directory not found, cannot load images",
+                key=key,
+                folder=folder,
+                path=str(series_dir),
+            )
+            return {"poster": False, "fanart": False, "logo": False}
+
+        # Get series from database to retrieve TMDB ID
+        series = await AnimeSeriesService.get_by_key(db, key)
+        if not series:
+            logger.warning("Series not found in database", key=key)
+            return {"poster": False, "fanart": False, "logo": False}
+
+        if not series.tmdb_id:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Series has no TMDB ID, cannot load images",
+                key=key,
+                name=series.name,
+            )
+            return {"poster": False, "fanart": False, "logo": False}
+
+        try:
+            # Fetch image metadata from TMDB
+            images_data = await self._tmdb_client.get_tv_show_images(series.tmdb_id)
+
+            poster_url, logo_url, fanart_url = self._select_best_images(images_data)
+
+            # Download images
+            results = await self._download_images(
+                series_dir, poster_url, logo_url, fanart_url
+            )
+
+            # Update database flags
+            await self._update_series_flags(db, series, results)
+
+            return results
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.exception("Failed to load images for series: %s", key, exc_info=e)
+            return {"poster": False, "fanart": False, "logo": False}
+
+    async def load_series_images_batch(
+        self,
+        series_list: List[Dict[str, Any]],
+        anime_directory: str,
+        db: AsyncSession,
+    ) -> Dict[str, int]:
+        """Load images for multiple series in batches.
+
+        Used by scheduler to process many series efficiently.
+
+        Args:
+            series_list: List of dicts with 'key' and 'folder' for each series
+            anime_directory: Base anime directory path
+            db: Database session
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict with counts:
+            {
+                "total": int,      # Total series processed
+                "success": int,    # Series with all images loaded
+                "partial": int,    # Series with some images loaded
+                "failed": int,     # Series with no images loaded
+                "poster": int,     # Count of poster.jpg downloads
+                "fanart": int,     # Count of fanart.jpg downloads
+                "logo": int,       # Count of logo.png downloads
+            }
+        """
+        stats = {
+            "total": len(series_list),
+            "success": 0,
+            "partial": 0,
+            "failed": 0,
+            "poster": 0,
+            "fanart": 0,
+            "logo": 0,
+        }
+
+        # Process in batches to respect TMDB rate limits
+        for i in range(0, len(series_list), self.BATCH_SIZE):
+            batch = series_list[i : i + self.BATCH_SIZE]
+
+            tasks = [
+                self.load_series_images(
+                    key=series["key"],
+                    folder=series["folder"],
+                    anime_directory=anime_directory,
+                    db=db,
+                )
+                for series in batch
+            ]
+
+            results = await asyncio.gather(*tasks, return_exceptions=True)
+
+            for series, result in zip(batch, results):
+                if isinstance(result, Exception):
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "Image loading failed for series: %s",
+                        series["key"],
+                        exc_info=result,
+                    )
+                    stats["failed"] += 1
+                    continue
+
+                if result["poster"] and result["fanart"] and result["logo"]:
+                    stats["success"] += 1
+                elif result["poster"] or result["fanart"] or result["logo"]:
+                    stats["partial"] += 1
+                else:
+                    stats["failed"] += 1
+
+                if result["poster"]:
+                    stats["poster"] += 1
+                if result["fanart"]:
+                    stats["fanart"] += 1
+                if result["logo"]:
+                    stats["logo"] += 1
+
+            # Small delay between batches to avoid overwhelming TMDB
+            if i + self.BATCH_SIZE < len(series_list):
+                await asyncio.sleep(0.5)
+
+        logger.info(
+            "Batch image loading completed",
+            total=stats["total"],
+            success=stats["success"],
+            partial=stats["partial"],
+            failed=stats["failed"],
+        )
+
+        return stats
+
+    def _select_best_images(
+        self, images_data: Dict[str, Any]
+    ) -> Tuple[Optional[str], Optional[str], Optional[str]]:
+        """Select the best available images from TMDB data.
+
+        Args:
+            images_data: TMDB images response with 'posters', 'backdrops', 'logos'
+
+        Returns:
+            Tuple of (poster_url, logo_url, fanart_url) - URLs or None if not available
+        """
+        poster_url = None
+        logo_url = None
+        fanart_url = None
+
+        # Select poster: prefer English, otherwise take first available
+        posters = images_data.get("posters", [])
+        for poster in posters:
+            if poster.get("iso_639_1") == "en" or poster.get("iso_639_1") is None:
+                poster_url = self._tmdb_client.get_image_url(poster["file_path"])
+                break
+        if not poster_url and posters:
+            poster_url = self._tmdb_client.get_image_url(posters[0]["file_path"])
+
+        # Select logo/clearlogo: prefer English with transparent background
+        logos = images_data.get("logos", [])
+        for logo in logos:
+            if logo.get("iso_639_1") == "en":
+                logo_url = self._tmdb_client.get_image_url(logo["file_path"])
+                break
+        if not logo_url and logos:
+            logo_url = self._tmdb_client.get_image_url(logos[0]["file_path"])
+
+        # Select fanart/backdrop: prefer English
+        backdrops = images_data.get("backdrops", [])
+        for backdrop in backdrops:
+            if backdrop.get("iso_639_1") == "en":
+                fanart_url = self._tmdb_client.get_image_url(backdrop["file_path"])
+                break
+        if not fanart_url and backdrops:
+            fanart_url = self._tmdb_client.get_image_url(backdrops[0]["file_path"])
+
+        return poster_url, logo_url, fanart_url
+
+    async def _download_images(
+        self,
+        series_dir: Path,
+        poster_url: Optional[str],
+        logo_url: Optional[str],
+        fanart_url: Optional[str],
+    ) -> Dict[str, bool]:
+        """Download images to series directory.
+
+        Args:
+            series_dir: Path to series folder
+            poster_url: URL for poster.jpg
+            logo_url: URL for logo.png
+            fanart_url: URL for fanart.jpg
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict with download status for each image
+        """
+        results = {"poster": False, "fanart": False, "logo": False}
+
+        async with ImageDownloader() as downloader:
+            tasks = []
+
+            if poster_url:
+                tasks.append(
+                    self._download_and_track(
+                        downloader, poster_url, series_dir / POSTER_FILENAME, "poster", results
+                    )
+                )
+            if logo_url:
+                tasks.append(
+                    self._download_and_track(
+                        downloader, logo_url, series_dir / LOGO_FILENAME, "logo", results
+                    )
+                )
+            if fanart_url:
+                tasks.append(
+                    self._download_and_track(
+                        downloader, fanart_url, series_dir / FANART_FILENAME, "fanart", results
+                    )
+                )
+
+            if tasks:
+                await asyncio.gather(*tasks, return_exceptions=True)
+
+        return results
+
+    async def _download_and_track(
+        self,
+        downloader: ImageDownloader,
+        url: str,
+        local_path: Path,
+        key: str,
+        results: Dict[str, bool],
+    ) -> None:
+        """Download single image and track result.
+
+        Args:
+            downloader: ImageDownloader instance
+            url: Image URL
+            local_path: Local destination path
+            key: Result dict key ('poster', 'logo', 'fanart')
+            results: Dict to update with result
+        """
+        try:
+            success = await downloader.download_image(
+                url, local_path, skip_existing=True, validate=True
+            )
+            results[key] = success
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("Failed to download %s: %s", key, e)
+            results[key] = False
+
+    async def _update_series_flags(
+        self,
+        db: AsyncSession,
+        series: Any,
+        results: Dict[str, bool],
+    ) -> None:
+        """Update database flags after image loading.
+
+        Args:
+            db: Database session
+            series: AnimeSeries instance
+            results: Dict with download status for each image
+        """
+        try:
+            series.images_loaded = results["poster"] and results["fanart"]
+            series.logo_loaded = results["logo"]
+            await db.commit()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("Failed to update series image flags: %s", e)
+            await db.rollback()
+
+
+# Singleton instance
+_image_loading_service: Optional[ImageLoadingService] = None
+
+
+def get_image_loading_service() -> ImageLoadingService:
+    """Get the image loading service singleton.
+
+    Returns:
+        ImageLoadingService instance
+
+    Raises:
+        RuntimeError: If service not initialized
+    """
+    if _image_loading_service is None:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            "ImageLoadingService not initialized. "
+            "Call init_image_loading_service() first."
+        )
+    return _image_loading_service
+
+
+def init_image_loading_service(tmdb_client: TMDBClient) -> ImageLoadingService:
+    """Initialize the image loading service singleton.
+
+    Args:
+        tmdb_client: TMDB API client
+
+    Returns:
+        ImageLoadingService instance
+    """
+    global _image_loading_service
+    _image_loading_service = ImageLoadingService(tmdb_client=tmdb_client)
+    return _image_loading_service

src/server/services/scheduler/scheduler_service.py

@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
-from typing import Dict, List, Optional
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
 from apscheduler.schedulers.asyncio import AsyncIOScheduler
 from apscheduler.triggers.cron import CronTrigger
 
+from src.config.settings import settings
 from src.server.models.config import SchedulerConfig
 from src.server.services.config_service import ConfigServiceError, get_config_service
 
@@ -264,6 +265,9 @@ class SchedulerService:
             "nfo_scan_after_rescan": (
                 self._config.nfo_scan_after_rescan if self._config else True
             ),
+            "image_scan_after_rescan": (
+                self._config.image_scan_after_rescan if self._config else True
+            ),
             "last_run": (
                 self._last_scan_time.isoformat()
                 if self._last_scan_time
@@ -409,6 +413,21 @@ class SchedulerService:
                     logger.error("Auto-download failed: %s", exc, exc_info=True)
                     await self._broadcast("auto_download_error", {"error": str(exc)})
 
+            # 4. Image scan (if enabled)
+            if self._config and self._config.image_scan_after_rescan:
+                try:
+                    image_result = await self._run_image_scan()
+                    await self._broadcast("image_scan_completed", {
+                        "total": image_result.get("total", 0),
+                        "success": image_result.get("success", 0),
+                        "poster": image_result.get("poster", 0),
+                        "fanart": image_result.get("fanart", 0),
+                        "logo": image_result.get("logo", 0),
+                    })
+                except Exception as exc:
+                    logger.error("Image scan failed: %s", exc, exc_info=True)
+                    await self._broadcast("image_scan_error", {"error": str(exc)})
+
             self._last_scan_time = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
             duration = (self._last_scan_time - scan_start).total_seconds()
 
@@ -462,6 +481,61 @@ class SchedulerService:
         )
         return result
 
+    async def _run_image_scan(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Download missing images for all series from TMDB."""
+        from src.server.database.connection import get_db_session
+        from src.server.nfo.tmdb_client import get_tmdb_client
+        from src.server.services.image_loading_service import init_image_loading_service
+        from src.server.utils.dependencies import get_anime_service
+
+        anime_service = get_anime_service()
+
+        try:
+            series_list_data = await anime_service.list_series_with_filters()
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.warning("Failed to get series list for image scan: %s", exc)
+            return {"total": 0, "success": 0, "partial": 0, "failed": 0}
+
+        if not series_list_data:
+            logger.info("No series found for image scan")
+            return {"total": 0, "success": 0, "partial": 0, "failed": 0}
+
+        # Build list of series to process
+        series_to_process = []
+        for series_data in series_list_data:
+            key = series_data.get("key")
+            folder = series_data.get("folder")
+            if not key or not folder:
+                continue
+            series_to_process.append({"key": key, "folder": folder})
+
+        if not series_to_process:
+            logger.info("No series to process for image scan")
+            return {"total": 0, "success": 0, "partial": 0, "failed": 0}
+
+        logger.info("Starting image scan for %d series...", len(series_to_process))
+
+        # Initialize TMDB client and image loading service
+        tmdb_client = get_tmdb_client()
+        image_service = init_image_loading_service(tmdb_client)
+
+        anime_dir = settings.anime_directory
+        async with get_db_session() as db:
+            result = await image_service.load_series_images_batch(
+                series_list=series_to_process,
+                anime_directory=anime_dir,
+                db=db,
+            )
+
+        logger.info(
+            "Image scan completed: total=%d success=%d partial=%d failed=%d",
+            result.get("total", 0),
+            result.get("success", 0),
+            result.get("partial", 0),
+            result.get("failed", 0),
+        )
+        return result
+
     async def _run_auto_download(self) -> int:
         """Queue and start downloads for all series with missing episodes."""
         from src.server.models.download import EpisodeIdentifier

tests/unit/test_background_loader_service.py

@@ -512,14 +512,16 @@ class TestScanSeriesEpisodes:
 
 
 class TestLoadNfoAndImages:
-    """Tests for loading NFO files and images."""
+    """Tests for loading NFO files and images via ImageLoadingService.
+
+    These tests verify the behavior of _load_nfo_and_images by mocking
+    the external dependencies at the correct import locations.
+    """
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_load_nfo_creates_new_nfo(self, background_loader_service, mock_websocket_service):
+    async def test_load_nfo_and_images_success(self, background_loader_service):
-        """Test creating new NFO file - NFO service removed, stub returns False."""
+        """Test successful image loading via ImageLoadingService."""
         mock_db = AsyncMock()
-        mock_series = MagicMock()
-        mock_series.has_nfo = False
 
         task = SeriesLoadingTask(
             key="test",
@@ -528,21 +530,62 @@ class TestLoadNfoAndImages:
             year=2020
         )
 
-        # NFO service removed, _load_nfo_and_images is now a stub that returns False
+        # Mock get_tmdb_client and init_image_loading_service at source
-        result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
+        with patch("src.server.nfo.tmdb_client.get_tmdb_client") as mock_get_tmdb:
+            mock_tmdb = MagicMock()
+            mock_get_tmdb.return_value = mock_tmdb
 
-        # Stub returns False since NFO service was removed
+            with patch("src.server.services.image_loading_service.ImageLoadingService") as mock_service_class:
-        assert result is False
+                mock_service = MagicMock()
-        assert task.progress["nfo"] is False
+                mock_service.load_series_images = AsyncMock(return_value={
-        assert task.progress["logo"] is False
+                    "poster": True,
+                    "fanart": True,
+                    "logo": True,
+                })
+                mock_service_class.return_value = mock_service
+
+                result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
+
+        assert result is True
+        assert task.progress["nfo"] is True
+        assert task.progress["logo"] is True
+        assert task.progress["images"] is True
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_load_nfo_and_images_partial(self, background_loader_service):
+        """Test partial image loading (some images fail)."""
+        mock_db = AsyncMock()
+
+        task = SeriesLoadingTask(
+            key="test",
+            folder="test_folder",
+            name="Test Series"
+        )
+
+        with patch("src.server.nfo.tmdb_client.get_tmdb_client") as mock_get_tmdb:
+            mock_tmdb = MagicMock()
+            mock_get_tmdb.return_value = mock_tmdb
+
+            with patch("src.server.services.image_loading_service.ImageLoadingService") as mock_service_class:
+                mock_service = MagicMock()
+                mock_service.load_series_images = AsyncMock(return_value={
+                    "poster": True,
+                    "fanart": False,
+                    "logo": True,
+                })
+                mock_service_class.return_value = mock_service
+
+                result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
+
+        assert result is True
+        assert task.progress["nfo"] is True
+        assert task.progress["logo"] is True
         assert task.progress["images"] is False
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_load_nfo_uses_existing(self, background_loader_service):
+    async def test_load_nfo_and_images_service_error(self, background_loader_service):
-        """Test using existing NFO file - NFO service removed, stub returns False."""
+        """Test graceful handling when ImageLoadingService throws exception."""
         mock_db = AsyncMock()
-        mock_series = MagicMock()
-        mock_series.has_nfo = True
 
         task = SeriesLoadingTask(
             key="test",
@@ -550,29 +593,15 @@ class TestLoadNfoAndImages:
             name="Test Series"
         )
 
-        # NFO service removed, _load_nfo_and_images is now a stub that returns False
+        with patch("src.server.nfo.tmdb_client.get_tmdb_client") as mock_get_tmdb:
-        result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
+            mock_get_tmdb.side_effect = Exception("TMDB API error")
 
-        # Stub returns False since NFO service was removed
+            result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
-        assert result is False
-    
-    @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_load_nfo_without_nfo_service(self, background_loader_service):
-        """Test graceful handling when NFO service not available."""
-        background_loader_service.series_app.nfo_service = None
-        
-        mock_db = AsyncMock()
-        task = SeriesLoadingTask(
-            key="test",
-            folder="test_folder",
-            name="Test Series"
-        )
-        
-        result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
 
         assert result is False
-        assert task.progress["nfo"] is False
+        assert task.progress["nfo"] is True
         assert task.progress["logo"] is False
+        assert task.progress["images"] is False
 
 
 class TestScanMissingEpisodes:
@@ -813,12 +842,7 @@ class TestErrorHandling:
     
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_load_nfo_error_handling(self, background_loader_service):
-        """Test error handling during NFO creation."""
+        """Test error handling when ImageLoadingService fails."""
-        background_loader_service.series_app.nfo_service.has_nfo = MagicMock(return_value=False)
-        background_loader_service.series_app.nfo_service.create_tvshow_nfo = AsyncMock(
-            side_effect=Exception("API error")
-        )
-        
         mock_db = AsyncMock()
         task = SeriesLoadingTask(
             key="test",
@@ -826,10 +850,13 @@ class TestErrorHandling:
             name="Test Series"
         )
 
-        result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
+        with patch("src.server.nfo.tmdb_client.get_tmdb_client") as mock_get_tmdb:
+            mock_get_tmdb.side_effect = Exception("TMDB API error")
+
+            result = await background_loader_service._load_nfo_and_images(task, mock_db)
 
         assert result is False
-        assert task.progress["nfo"] is False
+        assert task.progress["nfo"] is True  # Optimistic - NFO created elsewhere
         assert task.progress["logo"] is False
         assert task.progress["images"] is False