Did Black Mirror lose its edge moving from Channel 4 to Netflix?

Charlie Brooker has responded to criticisms that Black Mirror lost its edge after moving from Channel 4 to Netflix.

The series started on Channel Four before eventually moving to Netflix. It uses technology as a narrative tool to tell stories usually involving a dystopian element. The first few series are noted for being slightly more rough and grimy, while the actors were lesser-known stars.

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As it became more popular, several A-list stars like Jon Hamm, Bryce Dallas-Howard, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Will Poulter, Salma Hayek, and Miley Cyrus were cast

Some fans believe taking Black Mirror international on Netflix has led to it becoming more "palatable" but Brooker believes it was a necessary evolution for the show.

"One of the criticisms we sometimes get is, 'I prefer the show when it was British and everyone in it was miserable and everything smelled a little bit of s**t and all the stories were horrible,'" Brooker told an audience at the SXSW Sydney event in Australia

"And then it's gone to Netflix and suddenly everything's sunny and happy and everyone has wonderful teeth, and it's full of Hollywood stars and it's lost that edge.

3.76 (2005)

Black Mirror (2011-2025)

From the mind of Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror is an anthology series focusing on humans' increasing relationship with and reliance on technology. Similar to the Twilight Zone, each episode has a different cast and storyline, with every genre covered from horror to action to romance.

Developed by: Charlie Brooker
Stars: Hayley Atwell, Anthony Mackie and Bryce Dallas Howard

San Junipero

Brooker cited San Junipero - perhaps the highest-rated episode of the series - as one of the happier episodes.

"Arguably the happiest (episode) I've ever written was San Junipero and I just did that off my own back," he continued.

"I was aware we're going on a global platform now, so we've got to make these stories a bit more international. And I wanted to mix it up a bit, as in not just keep doing bleak-a-thons."