Black Mirror

Lore & Background

The series was created by Charlie Brooker, who had previously written video game reviews for PC Zone and television reviews for The Guardian. After completing the zombie drama Dead Set (2008) and working on Newswipe, he decided to make an anthology drama series modelled on The Twilight Zone, Tales of the Unexpected, and Hammer House of Horror. The title was inspired by the Arcade Fire song of the same name, referring to the empty screen of an electronic device when turned off. Brooker aimed to explore 'the way we might be living in 10 minutes' time' and focused on technology, a topic he had explored in How TV Ruined Your Life (2011).

Most episodes are written solely by Brooker, with involvement from executive producer Annabel Jones. Episodes originate from 'what-if ideas' about consequences of new technology. Brooker avoided reacting to news events to ensure continued relevance. After the first two series, he wrote full outlines before first drafts. Episodes became more tonally diverse after 'San Junipero', the first episode written for Netflix. Other writers include Jesse Armstrong, William Bridges, Konnie Huq, Michael Schur, Rashida Jones, and Bisha K. Ali.

The series is an instance of speculative fiction within science fiction, with most episodes set in dystopian near-futures featuring novel technologies that exaggerate contemporary cultural traits. Recurring themes include data privacy, virtual reality, individualism, and consumerism. Individual episodes explore various genres including crime fiction, horror, black comedy, romance, space opera, and psychological thriller.

Reader's Guide

Black Mirror is considered by some reviewers to be one of the best television series of the 2010s, while some critics have found its formulaic morality themes obvious or cited declining quality. The programme won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie three times consecutively for 'San Junipero', 'USS Callister', and Bandersnatch. Along with American Horror Story and Inside No. 9, Black Mirror has been credited with reviving the anthology television format. A number of episodes have been deemed prescient by the media. The series originally aired on Channel 4 for its first two series and the 2014 special 'White Christmas', then moved to Netflix for five further series in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2025. An eighth series is in development. Two related webisode series were produced by Netflix, and a companion book to the first four series, Inside Black Mirror, was published in 2018. Soundtracks to many episodes have been released as albums.

Did You Know?

• The title Black Mirror was inspired by the Arcade Fire song of the same name.
• The series won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie three times consecutively.
• The interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch was released in 2018.
• The first two series aired on Channel 4 in 2011 and 2013, with the programme later moving to Netflix.