‘Black Mirror’ Creator: Viewers Miss the Show “Before Americans Showed Up”

Charlie Brooker, creator of Black Mirror, has shared that some fans say they preferred the show before American actors were introduced.

The series, known for its dark and satirical storytelling, first aired in 2011 on Channel 4. It moved to Netflix in 2016, which is when U.S. cast members started appearing.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Brooker, 54, said he tries not to write with the audience in mind too much. “I think if you think too much about the audience, you go a bit mad. It gets in the way, I think because you feel like you’re faking it somehow or you’re forcing it,” he explained.

Brooker recalled that the earlier episodes were almost always bleak, with dark endings. Fans have told him they liked the original tone.

“Sometimes people say to me, ‘I prefer it when it didn’t have Americans in it and everyone had bad teeth, and then it ended, and the worst thing ever happened to them, and then they died. Can you do that please?’”

When Netflix picked up the show, Brooker decided to experiment with a different style. He said he didn’t feel pressure from Netflix to make the show “more American” or upbeat.

Instead, he wanted to try something new. “So the first episode I wrote for Netflix was called San Junipero. It was an upbeat ending, an upbeat tone. And I think that one, I suppose it was writing for me,” he said. He added that exploring a more optimistic story was intimidating. “I was sort of experimenting and thinking, ‘Can I write an optimistic story? What happens if I do that?’ It was terrifying.”

The experiment worked. San Junipero went on to become one of the most popular episodes of the series.

The latest season, released in April, featured a cast including Emma Corrin, Issa Rae, Chris O’Dowd, Will Poulter, Rashida Jones, and Dame Harriet Walter, showing that the series continues to attract well-known actors.

Charlie Brooker’s comments highlight the challenge of balancing original fans’ expectations with creative growth. Trying new tones can help a show stay fresh, even if some fans prefer the older style. Black Mirror proves that experimenting with storytelling can pay off, as San Junipero became one of the most beloved episodes.

What do you think—should creators stick to the original tone, or is it okay to change things up? Share your thoughts in the comments.