Netflix has revealed that Black Mirror season five will be premiering this December, and fans will get the chance to interact with the show like never before with a choose-your-own-adventure episode.
HBO stepped into the interactive narrative space when it released Steven Soderbergh’s limited series Mosaic earlier this year. Though the six episodes that aired on TV told the linear version, its launch was paired with a “branching” narrative app where viewers could customize how they viewed the story. Interactive TV startups like Eko are starting to catch on. And Hulu recently made an interactive virtual-reality comedy series called Door No. 1.
Netflix has already released choose-your-own-adventure episodes for some of its animated programs for kids, like Puss in Book (after watching one version, the viewer can go back and choose the alternate scenario), but Black Mirror will be the first for adults. Netflix will soon offer a more interactive experience that allows viewers to decide how their favorite TV shows play out.
Netflix will also be “developing a slate of specials” with the same model, the outlet notes, in either a TV episode or movie. Jim Eko, the chief operating officer of Eko which producers interactive shows said: “The time is right for interactive TV to become mainstream experience.”
Black Mirror has been a big success for Netflix since the streaming giant took over distributing the show from Britain’s Channel 4 beginning in Season 3. The series has won the Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie the last two years with the episodes “San Junipero” and “USS Callister.”
Netflix hasn’t revealed any details about the new episodes, although set photos leaked earlier this year teased an installment set in 1980s Britain.
The fifth season is currently in production. Though the last season dropped in December of 2017, December 2018 would likely be the earliest the season could arrive, especially since an interactive episode would require a longer script.
> Mar Martínez
An Upcoming Episode of ‘Black Mirror’ May Let You Choose Your Own Ending
Will You Support Our Work?
People turns to WhatsOn to understand what's goingOn? We have been empowering through hope & understanding for the last forty years. We’re an independent social enterprise & our journalism is powered by our supporters. Financial contributions from our readers allows us to keep our journalism free for all & to change the world for better. Please support us, with your donation - no matter how small. Your donation makes a real difference, it empowers our activist & academy, and engages wider community groups, & universities - connecting more people. WhatsOn is a change maker, let’s get our future back together!
