[zakman440]

Youtube video

Anthology series created by Charlie Brooker, featuring speculative fiction with dark and sometimes satirical themes that examine modern society, particularly with regard to the unanticipated consequences of new technologies.

Spoiler:

Fans of Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror can look forward to another 12 episodes of the acclaimed satirical drama after Netflix confirmed it would produce the next extended run of the show which previously aired on Channel 4.

Brooker described the US video on demand service as “the most fitting platform imaginable” for the series which began life on Channel 4 in 2011 with an episode which featured a fictional prime minister having sex with a pig.


Netflix said it would premiere exclusively on Netflix worldwide outside of the UK and Ireland “where plans are still being determined”.

It suggests the dystopian drama could yet remain on Channel 4, which has a “first-look option” which means it can acquire the rights to broadcast it first in the UK in the event that it changes channels.

Brooker said: “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.”

Brooker is also understood to have been attracted to Netflix by the greater creative freedom that the online broadcaster had to offer.

Netflix, best known for making Kevin Spacey’s House of Cards, already had the rights to the Black Mirror back catalogue. Previous episodes were a big hit in the US where it was applauded by one critic as the “only show on TV that truly understands how we use technology”.

The new 12-part commission is almost double the seven episodes that have been made to date, ending with last year’s Christmas special in which Mad Men star Jon Hamm features as a terrifying high-tech pick-up artist whose seduction technique ends in a horrific murder.

Cindy Holland, vice president, original content, Netflix, said: “Charlie has created a one-of-a-kind series with an uncanny voice and prescient, darkly comedic vision. We’re tremendously proud to bring Black Mirror to our members as a Netflix original series.”

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...s-black-mirror

[MB.]

Air on Channel 4 please

[Samuel.]

Awesome. It's crazy how internationally popular it has become, happy for Brooker. And it'll be easily accessible in the UK either way...

[Rob!]

Not Netflix stealing our shows so that we can't watch them

I hope the series is good enough to warrant 12 episodes though. Surely there's a reason Brooker only ever did three a series?

[Headie]

Youtube video

[zakman440]

Channel 4 have lost the rights - all the new episodes will stream on Netflix UK.

Channel 4 has lost the right to show Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror in the UK six months after the acclaimed drama was snapped up by Netflix in a reported $40m deal.

The broadcaster believed it still had a “first look option” to premiere the show in the UK following last year’s Netflix deal, but negotiations between Channel 4 and its producer, Endemol Shine, have ended without a deal being struck.

Channel 4 management publicly expressed its disappointment at losing the show, which began on the broadcaster in 2011 with an episode that featured a fictional prime minister having sex with a pig.


Privately they are understood to be hugely frustrated with its producer, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox and Apollo Global Management, at the turn of events which means the drama will not be returning to Channel 4.

In an unusually strongly worded statement, Channel 4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt said: “Black Mirror couldn’t be a more Channel 4 show.

“We grew it from a dangerous idea to a brand that resonated globally. Of course it’s disappointing that the first broadcast window in the UK is then sold to the highest bidder, ignoring the risk a publicly owned channel like 4 took backing it.”

Both Hunt and Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham were involved in negotiations over the future of the show.

Channel 4 is understood to have made what is described as a “serious and significant offer” for the rights to premiere the new run of Black Mirror in the UK.

But it was outbid by Netflix and it is thought it was not given the opportunity to make a further bid by Endemol Shine.

Channel 4 is not interested in the secondary rights to show the programme in the UK after its premiere on Netflix. “We don’t follow others, we believe we are a home for first transmission content,” said a station insider.

A spokesman for Endemol Shine said “every avenue” had been explored with Channel 4 and said the broadcaster had passed on opportunities to recommission the show before it was picked up by Netflix, which tweeted a trailer for the new series on Tuesday.


In a statement, Endemol Shine said: “It is unfortunate that having explored every avenue with Channel 4 an agreement was not able to be reached.


“Channel 4 have had the opportunity to recommission since 2013, and passed on this and subsequent co-production options put to them.

“Only following this and the first series’ exceptional performance when aired on Netflix, did Netflix offer a longer order of twelve with an increased budget that allowed producers [Endemol Shine-owned] House of Tomorrow to realise their ambitions for the series.

“Further efforts were made to try to reach a settlement regarding a UK window for Channel 4 but these were also sadly to no avail.”

In response, Channel 4 said it was not true they had passed on the show, saying they had “offered to recommission Black Mirror”.

As reported by MediaGuardian earlier this month, relations between the broadcaster and Endemol Shine were on the verge of breaking down over the right to broadcast the drama.

The loss of the UK rights, confirmed by Channel 4 today, is likely to signal a new low between the two.

The state-owned commercially funded Channel 4 has invested millions in both on and off air marketing for several Shine-Endemol shows including Black Mirror and two of its biggest hits, The Island and Hunted, over the past few years.

Channel 4 commissioned the first ever series of the show described as a Twilight Zone for the digital age and went on to air two, three-part series of Black Mirror along with the 2014 festive special starring Jon Hamm, Rafe Spall and Oona Chaplin, watched by nearly 2 million viewers.

Netflix will make new, 12-part series of Black Mirror, with Brooker describing the US subscription video-on-demand service as “the most fitting platform imaginable”.

Last year’s merger of Endemol and the Fox-owned Shine created one of the world’s largest programme-making and content businesses. As well as Black Mirror, the Island and the Hunted, Endemol Shine produce Channel 4 hits Deal or No Deal and Eight Out of 10 Cats.

Yet over the past 15 months, nine senior executives have left the merged group including Shine Group chief executive Alex Mahon, Just Spee and Tim Hincks, formerly Endemol chief executive and chief creative boss respectively.

Endemol Shine chief executive Sophie Turner-Laing, who formerly reported to James Murdoch at the satellite company Sky, has appointed Peter Salmon, the BBC’s director of studios, who will start in May.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...dia_b-gdnmedia

Slightly disappointed that Channel 4 didn't get the rights, but at least we'll be able to see the episodes in the UK.

[Samm]

Sooo perched!!

[Marsh.]

12 episodes though. I hope it doesn't lose quality.

Has Brooker still written them all?

[Jamie89]

Great news (I didn't realise it was so popular outside the UK.)

Originally Posted by Marsh.

12 episodes though. I hope it doesn't lose quality.

Has Brooker still written them all?

I can't see him selling out, he doesn't seem the type. I think (hope) he'd make sure the quality is just as high.

[Headie]

I just wanna know when the new series starts! Can't wait!

[zakman440]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

12 episodes though. I hope it doesn't lose quality.

Has Brooker still written them all?

I'm assuming so - there hasn't been a series of Weekly Wipe this year (so far) so I'm assuming that he's taken the time out of that to focus on Black Mirror.

[_Tom_]

I've been re-watching the past episodes this week so I'm certainly excited for a new series!

[zakman440]

Coming October 21st!

It's back. Netflix has announced full details of its new Black Mirror episodes - including when you can watch.

A new series premieres globally in less than three months' time - on October 21.

All six episodes have been written by Charlie Brooker, and we now have full details on the latest chilling instalments of his tech anthology.

- 'San Junipero' will, as previously announced, feature Gugu Mbatha-Raw and The Martian's Mackenzie Davis, and will be directed by Owen Harris (Kill Your Friends).

- 'Shut Up and Dance' will star Game of Thrones actor Jerome Flynn opposite The Imitation Game's Alex Lawther, with James Watkins (Bastille Day) directing.

- 'Nosedive' has cast James Norton, opposite the previously announced Bryce Dallas Howard and Alice Eve, in an episode directed by Joe Wright (Atonement).

- House of Cards actor Michael Kelly will appear in 'Men Against Fire' alongside Malachi Kirby and Madeline Brewer. The Fall's Jakob Verbruggen will direct.

- 'Hated in the Nation' features Kelly MacDonald in an episode helmed by Doctor Who's James Hawes.

- Finally - as revealed exclusively by Digital Spy last week - Wyatt Russell will appear in 'Playtest' opposite Hannah John-Kamen, with 10 Cloverfield Lane's Dan Trachtenberg on directing duties.

Back in September 2015, Netflix ordered 12 new Black Mirror episodes - so it's possible the six additional instalments will form either the back half of a third series, or a fourth run, to be released at a later date.

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/black-m...join-the-cast/

[Samm]

Excited!

[Lostie!]

Perfect time of year for them.

I still haven't seen every episode so I'll get the ones I haven't watched seen in the mean time

[Rob!]

Not so close to my birthday

Perched as ****

[zakman440]

Charlie Brooker's released some first look images:

[Marsh.]

I hope it's not too glossy.

Part of its charm was that gritty British TV look. I don't want it all bright US teen drama looking.

[Samm]

Can't wait for thisss

[zakman440]

A couple of episodes from the new season were screened at the Toronto Film Festival a few weeks ago and they received very favourable reviews

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...-a7311081.html

[Headie]

Wait are all the episodes set in America with american actors now?

[y.winter]

Of all people Charlie sold his series to the Americans?
Twelve episodes is an overkill.

[zakman440]

Originally Posted by Hayden

Wait are all the episodes set in America with american actors now?

Honestly not sure. By the sound of that article there's still Brits in it but it's unclear whether they're playing American characters. It wouldn't really surprise me tbh, but it would lose a little of its charm if they decide to go down that route.

[zakman440]

Brand new trailer released by Charlie Brooker:

Youtube video

It looks brilliant . Also confirms that it'll be part American, part British.

[Jack_]

I hope Michael Kelly isn't as creepy in this as he is in House of Cards