Creator Charlie Brooker has revealed that he once contemplated developing a spinoff series or even a full-length feature film centered around the fan-favorite episode USS Callister from Black Mirror. This particular episode has become iconic within the series, garnering a dedicated following and critical acclaim.
The episode USS Callister is consistently celebrated as one of the standout episodes of Black Mirror. Its popularity has led to the announcement of a highly anticipated sequel in the forthcoming seventh season. Brooker shared insights with Deadline, revealing that he had initially thought about expanding this captivating narrative into a limited series or even a feature film due to its compelling story arc and character depth.
Brooker noted, “Among all the narratives we’ve explored, this one concluded in a way that felt like a natural setup for a continuation,” he explained. “While it underwent various formats, ultimately we decided to keep it as a feature-length episode within the season. The process was lengthy, complicated by the pandemic and the writers’ strike, making it a challenge to coordinate everyone’s schedules, akin to solving a Rubik’s cube while riding a unicycle.“
While the idea of a USS Callister spinoff might have seemed excessive, the sequel titled USS Callister: Into Infinity has generated immense excitement among fans, making it the most eagerly awaited episode of the new season. The official synopsis teases: “Although Robert Daly has met his end, the crew of the USS Callister, now led by Captain Nanette Cole, find themselves adrift in an endless virtual universe, battling for survival against a staggering 30 million players.“
During an interview with THR last year, Brooker expressed that he felt a strong desire to revisit USS Callister as soon as filming concluded. “The concept had been simmering for quite some time. The original episode’s ending suggested that we could continue the story and see where the characters go from there. It was always in the back of my mind, ‘I’m going to explore that,’” Brooker mentioned. “We had been considering it for several years, going through numerous iterations and discussions about potential directions.“
Brooker further elaborated: “However, coordinating schedules proved challenging, and then the pandemic disrupted everything. There were moments when it seemed like it wouldn’t materialize, so I was thrilled when it finally did happen. It’s been a while, but developing the characters has been an enjoyable experience that I rarely get to indulge in. Having a character that continues beyond a single episode is a unique opportunity I’ve never experienced before in Black Mirror. Seeing them all back on set has been a fantastic experience.“
The big question remains: Will we see more adventures of USS Callister in Black Mirror? Fans will need to stay tuned and see how the storyline unfolds when the entire season premieres on Netflix on April 10th.
