After a long wait, the acclaimed anthology series "Black Mirror" is back with its seventh season, set to premiere on Netflix on April 10, 2025. Creator Charlie Brooker has crafted six new episodes that return to the show's roots, exploring technological themes such as digitization, tiered pricing, and video gaming, all while maintaining the darkly satirical tone that fans have come to expect.
This season is particularly notable as it features a sequel to the popular Season 4 episode "USS Callister," which originally aired in 2017. The sequel, titled "USS Callister: Into Infinity," sees the spaceship and its crew return for another adventure in the digital realm. Brooker mentioned that this follow-up was "long in the making" but logistically challenging to arrange, stating, "They'd literally flown to a wormhole, and we're in a whole new universe, and then we immediately hit them with the problem that they're in a universe full of players who think they're dispensable, so it made sense to do that."
The new season boasts an impressive cast, including Paul Giamatti, Awkwafina, Harriet Walter, Issa Rae, Emma Corrin, Peter Capaldi, Rashida Jones, and Chris O'Dowd, further solidifying the show's reputation for attracting A-list talent. Brooker and executive producer Jessica Rhoades discussed the challenges of keeping "Black Mirror" fresh and relevant, especially as the series has evolved over its fourteen-year history. Rhoades noted, "You’re always deciding because Charlie has so many ideas, and towards the end of the season, he’s writing as we’re shooting."
In this new season, some episodes are said to "skew hopeful" while still delivering major "body blows" to viewers. Brooker hinted that one episode this season might contain one of the biggest emotional punches they’ve ever delivered, saying, "I would say at least one episode this season has possibly one of the biggest body blows we’ve done." One of those episodes, "Eulogy," features Giamatti and is described as bittersweet and reflective, exploring themes of memory and missed connections.
Another intriguing episode is "Hotel Reverie," which began as a horror story but evolved into a sweeping love tale. Brooker revealed, "I watched Brief Encounter, which I'd never seen before, and I thought, 'Oh, yes, a vintage romance – that would be fun.'" The episode stars Rae as Brandy Friday, an actress given the opportunity to star in a high-tech remake of a vintage romantic movie, and features Corrin in a leading role as well. Brooker explained, "It’s nice to write a romantic episode now and then. It’s like, a bit soppy."
The season also explores the impact of artificial intelligence, a recurring theme throughout the series. Brooker noted that the technology depicted in "Common People" might be closer to reality than expected, hinting at the rapid advancements in AI. He shared a humorous anecdote about how some tech companies have drawn inspiration from the show, revealing, "I’ve seen somebody who – a couple of years ago – was doing a sort of AI like chatbot for grieving people, and they said in some interview, ‘I watched the Be Right Back episode of Black Mirror and thought that looks like a good idea.’"
Despite the show's dark themes, Brooker aims to strike a balance in the new season. He stated, "We’ve got a couple of episodes that are gut punches, we’ve got some episodes that are melancholy and bittersweet, and we’ve got some that are kind of romps in a way. Hopefully, we’re making you feel all sorts of things." This approach reflects a desire to keep the series dynamic and engaging for its audience.
In addition to the returning characters from previous seasons, Brooker has also brought back Colin Ritman from the interactive episode "Bandersnatch." He expressed his fondness for the character, saying, "He’s one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written across the seasons." The inclusion of familiar faces adds a layer of continuity for long-time fans while also introducing new narratives.
As the series explores the darker sides of technology, it also raises pertinent questions about the future. Lewis Gribben, a breakout star from the new season, emphasized the show's relevance, stating, "Black Mirror represents where we’re going wrong in humanity and how we're getting further and further apart from people." He pointed to recent controversies surrounding AI-generated art as an example of the challenges the show seeks to address.
With its return, "Black Mirror" promises to deliver thought-provoking content that resonates with contemporary issues. The blend of familiar themes and fresh narratives ensures that the series remains a significant cultural touchstone. As Brooker himself expressed, "Hopefully, it will run and run. Selfishly, it’s a fun job." Fans eagerly await the new episodes, ready to delve into the unsettling yet captivating world of "Black Mirror" once again.
