Black Mirror Season 7: Creator Charlie Brooker on Endings, Sequels, and the Future of the Show
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Charlie Brooker, the creator of the hit Netflix series Black Mirror, discussed the seventh season of the show and his approach to storytelling. According to Brooker, this season is a return to the show’s roots, with a focus on human beings and the impact of technology on their lives.
"You’ve got human beings and then some form of miraculous technology is introduced into their lives that upends it," Brooker explains. "That’s often at the basis of a lot of what we’re doing. And so I knew very much that we were starting from there. Then I was keen to, at the same time, revisit areas that we haven’t really gone into before. And of course, we literally revisit one whole story."
The seventh season of Black Mirror includes six new episodes, including the first-ever sequel, "USS Callister: Into Infinity." The episode follows the characters from the original "USS Callister" episode and explores the consequences of their actions. Brooker notes that the idea of a sequel was something he had been considering for some time.
"It’s always been in my head anyway [to revisit stories]," Brooker says. "From the early days of the show when we did White Bear in season two, I remember thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve got an idea for a follow-up to this.’ So it’s often been at the back of my head to revisit a world or the characters."
The season also features a diverse cast, including Paul Giamatti in "Eulogy" and Issa Rae, Awkwafina, and Emma Corrin in "Hotel Reverie." Brooker notes that the casting process is always important, but it’s especially crucial when working with a diverse cast.
"I think it’s fair to say that last season started out as a different season entirely," Brooker says. "It started out that they were all going to be ‘Red Mirror‘ stories. Then I came up with the idea for ‘Joan Is Awful‘ — annoyingly, in the middle of making the season — which was so Black Mirror."
The Hollywood Reporter notes that Brooker has been a huge fan of Giamatti’s for a long time and wrote the episode "Eulogy" specifically for him.
"I’ve been a huge fan of his for as long as I can recall," Brooker says.
The seventh season of Black Mirror has received praise for its thought-provoking themes and exploration of technology’s impact on society. Brooker notes that he’s always trying to push the boundaries of what’s possible with the show and that he’s excited to see where the future takes him.
"I’m always moaning!" Brooker says. "But you always have said that Black Mirror is about humans making bad choices, and this season there is certainly a lot of that. Was there one episode or two where you really set out to reclaim that narrative?"
Brooker explains that he’s always trying to explore the human condition and that technology is just a tool to do that.
"Generally speaking, it’s always been clear to me throughout the show that the technology is not necessarily the problem," Brooker says. "Like you couldn’t do my job if you thought technology was just evil, because so much of the job involves creating these gizmos and realizing them in ways where they should always look seductive."
The seventh season of Black Mirror is now streaming on Netflix. Fans of the show are eagerly awaiting the next season, and Brooker notes that he’s already working on new ideas.
"Yes, there are some stories that are pretty much fully baked and ready to go," Brooker says. "And there are others where I’ve got chunks of story or concept that I’m just slightly trying to work out."
The Hollywood Reporter will continue to follow the development of Black Mirror and provide updates on future seasons.
In conclusion, the seventh season of Black Mirror is a thought-provoking and visually stunning addition to the series. With its focus on human beings and the impact of technology on their lives, it’s a return to the show’s roots. Fans of the show will be eagerly awaiting the next season, and The Hollywood Reporter will be keeping a close eye on the development of the series.
As The Hollywood Reporter notes, Brooker has a recommendation for viewers who want a season eight.
"That’s down to people watching the show, watching it again, watching it a third time, watching it a fourth time to check that was the right decision…," Brooker says.
With its diverse cast, thought-provoking themes, and exploration of technology’s impact on society, Black Mirror is a show that will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, fans can expect more of the same in future seasons, with Brooker and his team continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible with the show.
