Let it never be said that Netflix doesn't have an excellent sense of timing. Just as people are mulling over the possibility that the infamous premiere of Black Mirror - you know, the one with the pig - might have some basis in reality for Prime Minister David Cameron, the streaming service has confirmed that it has commissioned 12 new episodes of Charlie Brooker's depressing series. Brooker has already commenced writing the new episodes, which one should expect to be not-so-cheery, and the new episodes are set to head into production later this year in the UK.
Here's what Brooker had to say about the announcement:
"It's all very exciting -- a whole new bunch of Black Mirror episodes on the most fitting platform imaginable. Netflix connects us with a global audience so that we can create bigger, stranger, more international and diverse stories than before, whilst maintaining that 'Black Mirror' feel. I just hope none of these new story ideas come true."
Cindy Holland, the Vice President of Original Content for Netflix, underlined the streaming service's excitement over the new episodes, saying "Charlie has created a one-of-a-kind series with an uncanny voice and prescient, darkly comedic vision."
To be totally honest, the show felt a bit too heavy on cynicism and light on actual insight for this writer, but there's no denying the boldness of Brooker's vision, which suggests The Twilight Zone overseen by Michael Haneke or a similarly bleak filmmaker. There's plenty of originality to the series, which is essentially a collection of short films, but the show is a bit predictable in that it consistently looks to highlight the very worst of humanity and seemingly has little interest in showcasing the good in people. It's all well and good to gaze into the darkness, and I'll be one of the first viewer's to give this new run of episodes a chance, but it also clearly sets out limitations to the drama's reach, settling into a rigid, clinical tone rather than actually growing and challenging the pessimistic viewpoint.
