Because the world does not feel dystopian enough, “Black Mirror” is finally releasing its Season 7 premiere date. The sci-fi anthology from Charlie Brooker will return April 10 with six new episodes.
This new season will contain a previously announced followup to the Emmy-winning “USS Callister” starring Cristin Milioti. Fittingly, the trailer for this new season starts with Milioti’s Lieutenant Cole gasping as an unseen voice says, “We’d like to welcome you back.”
The trailer then cycles between clips of wild scenarios that are never fully explained. One minute, a man is putting on a Batman mask. The next, Issa Rae is being transported into a black-and-white world filled with AI people. Still the next, Rashida Jones collapses like a powered off robot while pitching cereal in front of a class of children. You know, classic “Black Mirror” stuff.
But the most exciting part of this first trailer does not look toward technology’s future but instead at its past. Repeatedly, a video game designer is shown hunched over and serious as he works on an 8-bit game. And when was the last time “Black Mirror” explored ’80s tech? That’s right; it looks like we are getting a “Bandersnatch” followup.
“What are most games about?” Will Poulter, the star of Netflix’s 2018 interactive movie, asks in the trailer.
“Escapism?” the video game designer asks.
“Killing.” That is an especially haunting answer if you remember the five-star ending to “Bandersnatch.” Watch the trailer below:
In addition to the new trailer and premiere date, Netflix announced Poulter’s return alongside Michele Austin (“Hard Truths”), Ben Bailey Smith (“David Brent: Life on the Road”), Asim Chaudhry (“People Just Do Nothing”), Josh Finan (“Say Nothing”), James Nelson-Joyce (“The Outlaws”), Jay Simpson (“Pride & Prejudice,” “The Holiday”) and Michael Workéyè (“This Is Going to Hurt”).
Previously, “Black Mirror” announced 19 stars that will be in this upcoming season, many of whom appear in this first trailer. In addition to the previously mentioned Milioti, Rae and Jones, this season stars: Awkwafina (“Jackpot”), Milanka Brooks (“Mum And I Don’t Talk Anymore”), Peter Capaldi (“Doctor Who,” “Criminal Record”) Emma Corrin (“The Crown,” “Deadpool and Wolverine”), Patsy Ferran (“Firebrand”), Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers,” “Billions”), Lewis Gribben (“Blade Runner 2099”), Osy Ikhile (“Citadel”), Siena Kelly (“Domino Day”), Billy Magnussen (“Road House,” “The Franchise”), Rosy McEwen (“Blue Jean”), Chris O’Dowd (“Bridesmaids”), Paul G. Raymond (“Horrible Histories”), Tracee Ellis Ross (“Black-ish”), Jimmi Simpson (“Westworld”) and Harriet Walter (“Succession”).
“Black Mirror” is created by Brooker. The first two seasons and its first special premiered on Channel 4 before the series moved to Netflix in 2016. Brooker executive produces “Black Mirror” alongside Jessica Rhoades and Annabel Jones. The series is produced by Broke & Bones and licensed by Banijay Rights.
You can watch the Season 7 trailer in the video above.
