The murmurings of a new series of Black Mirror first began in late April, when the Twitter account for Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ anthology of tech-gone-bad asked its legions of followers: “What have we missed?”. A day later we had a teaser trailer, introducing the stars of the upcoming sixth series, including Salma Hayek Pinault, Aaron Paul. Paapa Essiedu, and Josh Harnett.
A week or so later on 11 May, the full news of the series dropped: “Wait until you see how all this unfolds”, it promised. In the spirit of the series, let’s get geeky about the minutiae of all the five episodes, and what we can expect:
Joan Is Awful
What’s the big idea? An average woman is stunned to discover a global streaming platform has launched a prestige TV drama adaptation of her life — in which she is portrayed by Hollywood A-lister Salma Hayek.
Who’s in it? Annie Murphy, Salma Hayek Pinault, Michael Cera, Himesh Patel, Rob Delaney, Ben Barnes
Who wrote it? Charlie Brooker
Who directed it? Ally Pankiw (Feel Good, The Great)
Loch Henry
What’s the big idea? A young couple travel to a sleepy Scottish town to start work on a genteel nature documentary – but find themselves drawn to a juicy local story involving shocking events of the past.
Who’s in it? Samuel Blenkin, Myha’la Herrold, Daniel Portman, John Hannah, Monica Dolan
Who wrote it? Charlie Brooker
Who directed it? Sam Miller (I May Destroy You, Luther)
Beyond the Sea
What’s the big idea? In an alternative 1969, two men on a perilous high-tech mission wrestle with the consequences of an unimaginable tragedy.
Who’s in it? Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Auden Thornton, Rory Culkin
Who wrote it? Charlie Brooker
Who directed it? John Crowley (Brooklyn, The Goldfinch)
Mazey Day
What’s the big idea? A troubled starlet is dogged by invasive paparazzi while dealing with the consequences of a hit-and-run incident.
Who’s in it? Zazie Beetz, Clara Rugaard, Danny Ramirez
Who wrote it? Charlie Brooker
Who directed it? Uta Briesewitz (Stranger Things, The Westworld)
Demon 79
What’s the big idea? Northern England, 1979. A meek sales assistant is told she must commit terrible acts to prevent disaster.
Who’s in it? Anjana Vasan, Paapa Essiedu, Katherine Rose Morley, David Shields
Who wrote it? Charlie Brooker and Bisha K. Ali (Loki, Ms. Marvel)
Who directed it? Toby Haynes (Doctor Who, Brexit: The Uncivil War)
Black Mirror series 6 streams on Netflix from June.
