'Black Mirror could just run and run', says Charlie Brooker

Charlie Brooker, the creative mind behind the acclaimed series Black Mirror, recently expressed his thoughts on the future of the show. Known for its thought-provoking and often unsettling narratives about the intersection of humanity and technology, Black Mirror is set to return for its seventh season. Brooker noted that the world we live in today is unpredictable, and with rapid advancements in technology and shifts in politics, there is no shortage of inspiration for new stories. Reflecting on the show's journey since its inception in 2011, he recalled a time when Siri was just emerging as a new technology and the iPhone 4S had just been released. Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves surrounded by advanced technologies like Meta AI integrated into messaging apps and the latest iterations of smartwatches. Brooker is optimistic about the show's longevity, stating, 'Hopefully it will run and run. Selfishly, it's a fun job. ' He believes that the swift pace of technological development provides a wealth of ideas for storytelling, allowing the audience to relate to the themes presented in the show. He remarked, 'We can do stories that I wouldn't have thought of 10 years ago, and also, you don't need to explain some of the concepts to people because they've got it in their phone. ' Emma Corrin, a talented actress featured in one of the episodes, shared her perspective on the relevance of Black Mirror in today's world. She emphasized that the stories feel more relatable now, as people are increasingly exposed to AI and its implications. Corrin stated, 'It's much closer to home. People have access to stuff like AI which is terrifying so then it's more confronting and serves as a better warning. ' Brooker humorously asked if the show should continue indefinitely, to which Corrin enthusiastically agreed. Their shared excitement for the creative process suggests that Black Mirror has the potential to remain a significant part of the cultural conversation for years to come. In the upcoming season, Corrin portrays Dorothy Chambers in an episode titled Hotel Reverie, where she stars alongside Issa Rae. Corrin expressed her enjoyment in embodying a 1940s movie star, appreciating the unique voice and mannerisms of that era. She described the acting style as 'larger than life and tongue in cheek, and yet packed with emotion at the same time. ' Rae's character, Brandy Friday, navigates unexpected romance within the storyline, adding another layer of intrigue to the episode. As the conversation shifted to the role of AI in the creative industry, Corrin acknowledged the mixed feelings artists have about its potential impact. She expressed concern about the possibility of losing the human touch in art, stating, 'I love the creative process. I love that this art is born out of being in a room with people and things coming from the depths of someone's human experience or imagination. ' Brooker echoed her sentiments, recognizing the value of AI as a tool for creative individuals. However, he cautioned against a future where the human element is removed from the creative equation. He remarked, 'The point at which it worries me is if you remove the people bit from that equation, or you're just hoovering up their work and regurgitating it, and they're not being paid. ' Brooker also revisited a familiar theme in Black Mirror: the world of gaming. He previously explored this topic in the interactive film Bandersnatch, which delved into the complexities of video game culture. In the new season, an episode titled Plaything features characters from Bandersnatch, with Lewis Gribben portraying Cameron, a games journalist who becomes fixated on a particular game. Gribben shared his own experiences as a gamer, noting that he enjoys playing video games during his downtime. He mentioned, 'When you have a day off. I can spend a solid 10 hours [on it]. ' His character's obsession with gaming adds a layer of depth to the narrative, reflecting the challenges of balancing reality and virtual experiences. Another actor, Josh Finan, plays a friend of Cameron who unwittingly becomes entangled in his distorted perception of reality. Finan expressed optimism about the future of acting, asserting, 'I don't think actors are going anywhere. ' As Black Mirror prepares to launch its seventh season on Netflix on April 10, it promises to continue exploring the intricate relationship between humanity and technology, leaving viewers eager for more.