Black Mirror Season 7 Returns with Twists, New Cast Members

LOS GATOS, Calif. — The acclaimed anthology series Black Mirror has returned to Netflix for its highly anticipated seventh season, featuring new episodes that promise to explore complex themes through cutting-edge technology and unforgettable characters.

Season 7 includes a sequel to the chilling Season 4 episode “USS Callister,” showcasing a video game programmer whose sinister simulated reality unfolds within the depths of a spacecraft. Alongside this follow-up, viewers will experience fresh narratives woven with twists that have become synonymous with the series.

“We’ve got an embarrassingly stacked cast,” said series creator, showrunner, and executive producer Charlie Brooker in an interview with Tudum. “It’s a thrill working with great actors. They tease out aspects of the character that I hadn’t considered.”

This season introduces a host of newcomers, including Issa Rae, Peter Capaldi, Paul Giamatti, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Awkwafina. Veteran actors like Cristin Milioti, Will Poulter, Asim Chaudhry, and Jimmi Simpson also return, adding depth to the ensemble.

Awkwafina portrays Kimmy in the episode “Hotel Reverie.” Her character persuades a struggling studio owner to adopt Redream software, which integrates Hollywood stars into classic films. Awkwafina explained her character’s passion for the technology: “She’s on the ground peddling this software, possibly to a lot of rejection. It’s something that she really believes in.”

In “USS Callister: Into Infinity,” Capaldi returns as an older version of Cameron, a gaming enthusiast who finds himself on the wrong side of the law as his obsession with technology spirals out of control. “As I am interrogated, I begin to reveal that I’ve spent my life building a game which I’ve been playing,” Capaldi mentioned in discussing his character.

Another pivotal character, Dorothy Chambers, as portrayed by Emma Corrin in “Hotel Reverie,” is a long-dead starlet whose AI rendering complicates the film world. Corrin encapsulated the essence of her character: “That’s the crux of the episode, figuring out who she is.”

In the heart-wrenching “Common People,” Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd star as Amanda and Mike, a couple faced with dire medical choices influenced by new technology. The episode delves into moral and financial dilemmas that arise when Amanda’s life hangs in the balance due to a brain tumor.

“I essentially hunted Charlie down and insisted that he be friends with me,” Jones recalled about working with Brooker. “The universe that exists in Charlie’s brain is rich and prescient.”

Season 7 not only features returning characters but also delves into themes of nostalgia and the complexities of human emotion. In “Plaything,” Capaldi’s character grapples with his love for a revolutionary gaming experience that reflects deeper societal issues.

Fans can look forward to a combination of genres and styles. Brooker confirmed that this season features six episodes, two of which are nearly feature-length. Each episode records a distinct mix of emotionally charged and unsettling narratives that push boundaries.

“You can expect a mix of genre and styles,” Brooker added. “Some of them are deeply unpleasant, some are quite funny, and some are emotional.”

Black Mirror Season 7 is currently available for streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in its provocative storytelling.