Will there be a Black Mirror season 8? Latest news and speculation
The beloved sci-fi anthology series just returned for season 7!
Many Black Mirror fans have already blasted their way through the show's six new episodes, with season 7, which was released last week, already being lauded as a strong entry in the anthology series's history.
From dark new episodes like Common People to more hopeful entries like Hotel Reverie, and even a sequel to USS Callister, there was something there for every fan to enjoy – but naturally, thoughts now turn to the future.
The show's creator Charlie Brooker previously admitted that he had needed a palette cleanser from the series and its representation of dystopia, during the Covid pandemic. This led to a longer than usual break between seasons 5 and 6, with the latter season also being more experimental.
In fact, it was almost going to be a season entirely badged as Red Mirror, the branding used for the run's final episode Demon 79.
Brooker told The Hollywood Reporter: "I think it’s fair to say that last season started out as a different season entirely. It started out that they were all going to be Red Mirror stories — Red Mirror being a sort of horror brand. Then I came up with the idea for Joan Is Awful — annoyingly, in the middle of making the season — which was so Black Mirror."
Producer Jessica Rhoades added: "And it wasn’t going to wait. That episode had to happen last season."
However, season 7 returned the show closer to its roots, with more tech-based stories and Brooker seemingly reinvigorated about exploring the topic.
But does that mean the series will be returning soon for an eighth season? Read on to learn everything we know so far.
Will there be a Black Mirror season 8?
Black Mirror season 8 hasn't officially been confirmed. However, fans have every reason to remain optimistic about the show's future.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com, creator Charlie Brooker said: "Nothing is off the table. I'll keep doing this until people get sick of it. Or me.
"Or if the world suddenly, overnight, completely improves into a utopia, and we have no need for this kind of entertainment anymore, because we're all so happy out in the wild, patting unicorns on the head."
That's a pretty solid statement that he's happy to keep working on the show.
In fact, more recently he has said he already has some future stories "pretty much fully baked and ready to go", while he's got others where he's "got a chunk of the story, not quite the concept".
Black Mirror's renewal will obviously rely on its streaming numbers for Netflix, with Brooker saying he needs fans to watch the episodes three or four times and to tell the streamer to "please recommission this show".
However, right now Black Mirror still appears to be one of the platform's most high-profile dramas, featuring a star-studded cast – so hopefully there isn't too much to worry about.
When could a potential Black Mirror season 8 come out?
Unlike a more straightforward serialised drama, Black Mirror doesn't just release a new season every one or two years.
The gap between seasons can vary, from one year (between seasons 3 and 4 in 2016 and 2017) to four (between seasons 5 and 6 in 2019 and 2023).
If the show does get renewed, the most likely wait time is about two years, with a Black Mirror season 8 potentially arriving in 2027.
This gives the creative team enough time to write, cast and film a new season.
How many episodes could there be in a potential Black Mirror season 8?
Previous Black Mirror seasons lasted between three and six episodes, with most of the Netflix-era seasons being six episodes long.
With that in mind, a Black Mirror season 8 would almost certainly consist of six episodes.
But if the show's creators decide to make another experimental standalone special like the interactive film Bandersnatch, this could result in a shorter season, with the standalone special being released separately.
That's what happened with season 5 and Bandersnatch, which came out six months apart.
Who could star in a potential Black Mirror season 8?
In the past, it wouldn't make much sense to speculate about the future cast of Black Mirror. As an anthology series, it could basically cast anyone.
However, with the arrival of the USS Callister sequel episode USS Callister: Into Infinity in season 7, we could see other Black Mirror characters return for a new chapter in their story.
Charlie Brooker has teased the possibility of releasing other sequel episodes, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "We’re now looking at old episodes and thinking, 'How could you revisit that idea?'"
He obviously didn't name any names, but a few fan-favourite episodes do spring to mind, like the romantic San Junipero. There are also some episodes whose established world-building could be explored even further, like White Bear or Fifteen Million Merits.
Here are some key cast members who could theoretically return:
- Yorkie - Mackenzie Davis (San Junipero)
- Kelly - Gugu Mbatha-Raw (San Junipero)
- Colin Ritman - Will Poulter (Bandersnatch)
- Victoria Skillane - Lenora Crichlow (White Bear)
- Bingham 'Bing' Madsen - Daniel Kaluuya (Fifteen Million Merits)
Is there a trailer for a potential Black Mirror season 8?
Given that the show hasn't been renewed yet, there is no trailer for Black Mirror season 8.
However, you can watch the trailer for season 7 here:
Black Mirror is available to stream on Netflix
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Gavia Baker-Whitelaw is a freelance critic and entertainment journalist specialising in geek culture, TV and film. She has written for numerous outlets including Empire, TV Guide, Wired and Vulture, and hosts the film podcast Overinvested.
