‘Black Mirror’ Season 6 Reportedly In Development at Netflix

It’s nearly been three years since we last got a new batch of Black Mirror on Netflix. It’s been years of stalemate with regards to a sixth season but according to new reports, season 6 is in development at Netflix. Here’s what we know so far.

Netflix’s anthology series is still best in class and that’s despite multiple platforms piling in on the anthology format such as CBS All Access (now Paramount+) rebooting The Twilight Zone and Hulu’s attempt with Into the Dark, the Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones created series still rank among the best TV series on Netflix right now.

The fifth season received mixed reviews. Whether that’s because of the lower episode count or the nature of some of the content of the episodes. This episode which features Miley Cyrus as a pop singer currently holds the lowest ratings of all previous Black Mirror episodes.

Of course, the show originally began its life on the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 before Netflix picked it up exclusively from season 3 onwards.

The fifth season of Season 5, which contained three episodes, was released by Netflix on June 5, 2019.

Is Black Mirror renewed for Season 6?

Black Mirror is currently in the process of renewing its official renewal status. Netflix has not confirmed this (last update: May 20,22).

The Endemol Shine Group, the IP owner has caused disputes that have put the future of the series on hold. Those disputes seemingly came to a head upon the news that Annabel Jones and Charlie Brooker both departed Endemol Shine Group to start their own new company (with Netflix’s financial backing and an overall output deal with Netflix) and things have been very quiet on Black Mirror ever since.

In July 2020, Netflix struck a “landmark deal” with Brooker and Jones taking a controlling stake in the new company called Broke and Bones. Since their deal, they’ve produced Death to 2020 and 2021, the interactive series Cat Burglar and Attack of the Hollywood Cliches!.

Black Mirror is the exception to this rule. The license remains with the original company, and it could stay there even if Endemol or Netflix do not reach an agreement. Date set for July 2020

“Three sources said that Netflix and Endemol Shine have held talks about transferring the brand, but an agreement is still thought to be some way off. In the meantime, there is nothing stopping Brooker and Jones bringing their distinctive style to other dystopian dramas, but they just won’t be badged as Black Mirror.”

Endemol Shine Group, which was mentioned in the article, was completely taken over by Banijay Group.

Black Mirror season 5 – Picture: Netflix

After season 5, which was published on Netflix, the creators expressed optimism about the future. Speaking to Yahoo, Charlie Brooker said that “Maybe we should cast someone like Barack Obama, he’d be good.”

We heard that Black Mirror could return as a spinoff in 2021. We’ve seen production listings (as had other outlets) that Netflix was (or still is) actively developing a follow-up to USS Callister which came in season 4.

Things remained quiet until May 2022, when Variety reported that an agreement had been made and that Netflix is currently developing season 6. (Banijay & Netflix did not respond to our story).

These were their words:

“It’s been almost three years since Season 5 of the dystopian drama premiered on the streaming service in June 2019, but sources indicate that a new anthology series of “Black Mirror” is shaping up, and casting is now underway.

While details about specific stories are being kept under lock and key, Variety understands that Season 6 will have more episodes than Season 5…

… A source close to the production tells Variety that the latest season is even more cinematic in scope, with each instalment being treated as an individual film. This is, of course, in line with recent seasons of “Black Mirror,” for which episodes usually exceeded 60 minutes and had incredibly high production values.”

While we await further information, that’s still pretty positive that Black Mirror will be returning for a sixth season at Netflix.

Is there another episode of Black Mirror?

Given Black Mirror pioneered the interactive special format on Netflix with Bandersnatch, the creators of the show discussed whether they’d return to the format.

In an interview with Yahoo, they specifically said that “The thing is, if you’re doing an interactive episode, it needs to justify itself. There needs to be a compelling narrative reason as to why you’re using that otherwise, it is just a gimmick.”

Striking Vipers video game in season 5 – Pedro Saad

Brooker said that he doesn't plan to make a sequel of San Junipero, the beloved episode. He also stated that he wanted to ensure the happiness of Brooker and San Junipero in their new home. In October 2016, however, it was reported that ideas had been discussed for sequels of White Bear and Being Right Back (two episodes from the original series).

Notably, as part of the new agreement mentioned above, Broke and Bones have employed the talents of Russell McLean who is going to “focus on creating interactive projects” going forward.

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