Netflix knows how to pick ’em. Today the streaming service added Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror to its slate of original programming.
If you haven’t heard of the cult sci-fi series, it’s about time you did. Ever since the British anthology show made its way to Netflix, I’ve been spreading gospel about its unique nature and gripping storytelling. I previously described Black Mirror as The Twilight Zone for today’s tech-obsessed generation. Each standalone episode, to varying degrees, pulls back the curtain on what society might look like in our collective not-so-distant future. Episodes are intrinsically satirical, disturbing, unsettling, and most of all, wildly compelling. What’s out there now is a quick binge, too. Brooker produced two seasons (each comprising three episodes) and a special (featuring guest star Jon Hamm) for the UK’s Channel 4 network. All installments (minus the elusive special) are currently available to stream on Netflix, and I highly recommend you add them to your queue, stat.
Brooker has a keen sense of the world’s trepidations as our little “black mirrors” continue to consume our lives (read: smartphones, computers, televisions). Season 1’s “The Entire History of You” is widely considered the series best installment so far; in it, people are embedded with a device that allows you to record everything you do and see and hear. Obviously, this plays to people’s fears about Big Brother always watching, but it makes this fear even more intriguing by adding a personal twist. And then, of course, there’s “National Anthem” which focuses on a fictional Prime Minister who must have sex with a pig in order to save the kidnapped princess. Is a merely a coincidence that Brooker was able to predict something along these lines would actually take place in real life? I think not; he’s that good.
I’m happy to report that Brooker and his executive producing parter Annabel Jones are returning to helm the new episodes coming to Netflix soon. Brooker is already penning the 12 fresh installments, and production begins later this year in the UK. A release date has not been disclosed, but we can certainly cross our fingers for a 2016 launch.
“It’s all very exciting — a whole new bunch of Black Mirror episodes on the most fitting platform imaginable,” said Brooker in a press release. “Netflix connects us with a global audience so that we can create bigger, stranger, more international and diverse stories than before, whilst maintaining that ‘Black Mirror‘ feel. I just hope none of these new story ideas come true.”
“Charlie has created a one-of-a-kind series with an uncanny voice and prescient, darkly comedic vision. We’re tremendously proud to bring Black Mirror to our members as a Netflix original series,” added Cindy Holland, Netflix Vice President, original content.
Check out a mini-teaser after the break.
[Via Netflix]
Bonus video! In other Netflix news, the company’s finally allowing new users to sign up for the streaming service on mobile devices directly through its app. To honor the occasion, its enlisted Suzanne and Taystee from Orange is the New Black to play with Siri. Funny stuff–enjoy.