Black Mirror is back for season seven, so it’s time to get ready for six new mind-bending episodes with a ridiculously good cast. Think: Emma Corrin, Issa Rae and Will Poulter, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The creator and visionary Charlie Brooker is bringing yet another series of the satirical anthology to Netflix screens on April 10, and it’s safe to assume that it will get people talking.
Even before we get into what sort of twisted alternative realities are in store, the cast alone is enough to attract attention.
“We’ve got an embarrassingly stacked cast,” Brooker told Netflix Tudum. “We’ve got six episodes this time, and two of them are basically feature-length. Some of them are deeply unpleasant, some are quite funny, and some are emotional. It’s back to basics in many ways. They’re all sci-fi stories – there’s definitely some horrifying things that occur, but maybe not in an overt horror-movie way.”
Although expecting the unexpected is usually the best attitude for Black Mirror, here’s what we do know about the six different episodes and all the celebs who are set to appear. Strap in: there’s a lot.
Episode 1: Common People
This episode tells the story of schoolteacher Amanda, who has had a medical emergency and is about to die. Her desperate husband Mike signs her up for a new technology Rivermind which will keep her alive, but at what cost? This episode is packed with comic stars so, who knows, it might be a light comedy. Or not.
Amanda is played by Rashida Jones, whom you may recognise as The Office’s Karen Filippelli or Parks and Recreation’s Ann Perkins. Jones actually co-wrote the script for previous Black Mirror episode, Nosedive, based on one of Brooker’s stories.
Husband Mike is played by actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd. He’s starred in the likes of The IT Crowd, Bridesmaids and Girls and won a Primetime Emmy for his role in State of the Union.
Tracee Ellis Ross is another well-loved comic, who’ll be taking on the role of Gaynor, the Rivermind salesperson. She was the lead in Girlfriends and Black-ish and has plenty of Primetime Emmy nominations to show for it.
Episode 2: Bête Noire
According to Netflix, this episode brings us to a chocolate company’s tasting session, where development executive Maria (Sienna Kelly) bumps into an old school friend, Verity (Rosy McEwen). And, you guessed it, something’s off about her.
Ben Bailey Smith, better known as Doc Brown, will feature in this episode as well. The rapper, screenwriter and actor has recently appeared in the likes of The Split and Boiling Point. Also, watch out for Adult Material and Domino Day star Siena Kelly, who plays central character Maria.
These two will be joined by Rosy McEwan, Michael Workéyè, Amber Grappy, Ravi Aujla and Hannah Griffiths.
Episode 3: Hotel Reverie
What could be more Black Mirror than an “unusually immersive high-tech remake of a vintage romantic movie”? We’ll watch as A-lister Brandy Friday must navigate this remake in an attempt to return home.
Issa Rae will be taking on the role Brandy in this episode. Rae shot to fame for HBO’s Insecure, but you’ll recognise her from all sorts, including smash-hit Barbie, American Fiction and Vengeance.
Emma Corrin plays the on-screen starlet, Dorothy, and Brandy’s love interest. Corrin stole hearts playing Diana in the fourth season of The Crown, but they have also starred in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Nosferatu.
Golden Globe-winner Awkwafina will join these two, playing Kimmy. Awkwafina is an actress, comedian and rapper, and won over audiences and critics in The Farewell, Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8. Finally, as if that wasn’t enough, Harriet Walter will also be appearing as Judith Keyworth, the owner of heritage movie production company Keyworth Studios. Succession, Downton Abbey, Ted Lasso, Rocketman: you name it, she’s done it.
Episode 4: Plaything
We’re being treated to the story of an “eccentric loner” in this one, so buckle up. Cameron, who is obsessed with a 90s video game (and whose life has several parallels to Brooker’s own early years), is arrested in connection with a gruesome cold case. And then, of course, the police realise they’re dealing with something unexpected.
Watch out for Peter Capaldi in this one, playing the older Cameron. Capaldi does an excellent villain (Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It, Mr Curry in Paddington 2) and played the Doctor in Doctor Who.
Also notoriously good at villains, James Nelson-Joyce joins this episode as DCI Kano. He’s been in This City is Ours, Reputation, Time and Industry. Plus, excitingly, a cameo! We will see Will Poulter’s return to Black Mirror as Colin Ritman, after his success in the Brooker’s experimental interactive film Bandersnatch.
People Just Do Nothing star Asim Chaudhry, The Bill’s Michele Austin and Somewhere Boy’s Lewis Gribben will also feature.
Episode 5: Eulogy
Being able to step into photographic memories of the past seems like a nice idea, right? Right? This one looks to be a tear-jerker, and will feature Paul Giamatti, who’s acted in Downton Abbey, Straight Outta Compton, Cinderella Man, The Holdovers and many more.
He’s joined by Miss Austen’s Patsy Ferran, playing The Guide.
Episode 6: USS Callister: Into Infinity
For the first time ever, Black Mirror is bringing a sequel to their old hit favourite, USS Callister. Robert Daly (aka Jesse Plemons) is dead, but the crew’s problems are only just starting.
“Fans of the show will recognise the cast of a certain spaceship from one of our episodes reappearing,” teased Brooker. “Normally, I kill off all the characters at the end of an episode, [but] I kept some of ‘em alive. I’m growing as a human.”
Among the returning cast are How I Met Your Mother’s Cristin Milioti, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Jimmi Simpson, and Wonka’s Paul G. Raymond.
Black Mirror season 7 is streaming now on Netflix
