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Last updated on the 21 April 2024 by Maeve
If you’re seeking a captivating and thought provoking television series, look no further than “Black Mirror.” This anthology show created by Charlie Brooker offers a unique blend of science fiction, dystopia and social commentary that will leave you questioning the impact of technology on our lives.
White Bear (2013)
Our first Black Mirror episode is “White Bear,” a woman wakes up with no memory, pursued by mysterious figures. As she endures a world where people record her ordeal on their phones, the truth slowly unravels. This chilling episode explores themes of justice, punishment, and society’s obsession with voyeurism.
Top cast: Lenora Crichlow, Michael Smiley, Tuppence Middleton, Ian Bonar, Michaela Coel, Natalia Tena, Claire Rushbrook and Tobias Menzies.
The National Anthem (2011)
The very first Black Mirror episode was “The National Anthem, ” a British Prime Minister faces a moral dilemma when a member of the royal family is kidnapped. To secure their release, he must perform an unthinkable act live on national television. This disturbing episode explores themes of public spectacle, political pressure and media manipulation.
Top cast: Rory Kinnear, Lindsay Duncan, Donald Sumpter, Tom Goodman-Hill, Anna Wilson-Jones, Patrick Kennedy, Alastair Mackenzie and Alex Macqueen.
Be Right Back (2013)
In the Black Mirror episode “Be Right Back,” a grieving woman uses an advanced technology that replicates her deceased partner’s personality based on his online presence. As the digital clone becomes increasingly life like, she must confront the ethical and emotional complexities of resurrecting the dead through artificial intelligence.
Top cast: Hayley Atwell, Domhnall Gleeson, Claire Keelan, Sinead Matthews, Karl Johnson, Phoebe Nicholls, Tim Delap and Alison Lintott.
Hated in the Nation (2016)
In the Black Mirror episode “Hated in the Nation,” a detective and a tech-savvy officer investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to social media outrage. As they dig deeper, they uncover an unsettling connection between the killings and autonomous drone insects, forcing them to confront the dark consequences of online hate culture.
Top cast: Kelly Macdonald, Faye Marsay, Benedict Wong, Jonas Karlsson, Joe Armstrong, Elizabeth Berrington, Daisy Haggard and Holli Dempsey.
Black Museum (2017)
In the Black Mirror episode “Black Museum,” a woman visits a peculiar museum filled with dark and twisted artifacts. The curator shares stories behind each exhibit, revealing the sinister nature of human desires and the consequences of technology gone awry. This anthology episode explores themes of justice, punishment, and moral ambiguity.
Top cast: Douglas Hodge, Letitia Wright, Daniel Lapaine, Aldis Hodge, Alexandra Roach, Babs Olusanmokun, Tahirah Sharif and Falcone Abraham.
The Entire History of You (2011)
The Black Mirror episode “The Entire History of You,” set in a future where people have “grains” implanted behind their ears to record everything they see and hear, a man obsessively replays his memories and becomes consumed by jealousy. This thought provoking episode explores the impact of technology on memory, trust, and relationships.
Top cast: Toby Kebbell, Jodie Whittaker, Tom Cullen, Amy Beth Hayes, Rupert Evans, Rafe Spall, Daniel Lapaine and Rebecca Manley.
Fifteen Million Merits (2011)
In the Black Mirror episode Fifteen Million Merits,” individuals live in a dystopian society where they pedal exercise bikes to generate energy. Bing, a man disillusioned with the system, meets Abi, a talented singer. He tries to help her escape their monotonous existence through an audition on a reality TV show with unexpected consequences.
Top cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Jessica Brown Findlay, Rupert Everett, Julia Davis, Ashley Thomas, Paul Popplewell, Hannah John-Kamen and Isabella Laughland.
San Junipero (2016)
In the Black Mirror episode “San Junipero,” two women, Yorkie and Kelly, meet in a vibrant virtual reality world that simulates different time periods. As they develop a deep connection, they navigate the complexities of love and mortality, ultimately exploring the possibility of eternal happiness beyond physical existence.
Top cast: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mackenzie Davis, Denise Burse, Raymond McAnally, Annabel Davis, Hannah John-Kamen, Amy Beth Hayes and Michaela Coel.
Hang the DJ (2017)
In the Black Mirror episode “Hang the DJ,” a dating app called “Coach” pairs individuals for predetermined amounts of time. Amy and Frank embark on a relationship, but struggle against the system’s control. They eventually rebel, challenging their fate and seeking to find true love amidst an oppressive algorithmic society.
Top cast: Georgina Campbell, Joe Cole, George Blagden, Gina Bramhill, Gwyneth Keyworth, Jessie Cave, Ruibo Qian and Elizabeth Berrington.
White Christmas (2014)
In the Black Mirror episode “White Christmas,” two men share their haunting stories in a remote outpost on Christmas Day. Their tales involve twisted technologies that manipulate perception and consciousness, leading to dark consequences. The episode explores themes of isolation, punishment and the moral complexities of advancing technology in a chilling narrative.
Top cast: Jon Hamm, Rafe Spall, Oona Chaplin, Natalia Tena, Janet Montgomery, Rasmus Hardiker, Dan Li and Verity Marshall.
