The popular Black Mirror shared universe theory was given a new twist in the season 6 trailer. After a four-year hiatus and much speculation on whether the critically acclaimed Netflix series would return, Black Mirror is officially premiering its season 6 on June 15. Black Mirror is an anthology television series that mostly dives into the dark side of technology. Through various stories of dystopian scenarios and advanced technologies gone too far, Black Mirror acts as a modern cautionary tale about the potential future consequences of a society that creates corrupt apps and devices.
While many fans wondered why Black Mirror season 6 took so long to happen, Netflix was still able to land a deal for the beloved anthology series. The Black Mirror shared universe theory was created by fans to support the notion that all the episodes of Black Mirror exist in the same fictional universe despite each episode featuring a different cast, plot, and at times, even genre. With the release of the new Black Mirror season 6 trailer, five new episodes are set to premiere that will continue the impressive legacy of the series and could further support the thesis of its shared universe theory.
Black Mirror Season 6's Netflix Parody References Past Episodes
In the opening shots of the Black Mirror season 6 trailer, a fictional streaming service called Streamberry is used by two characters. Streamberry appears to essentially be a parody of the Netflix platform itself and a satirical home to dozens of fictional movies and television series, some of which even reference previous episodes of Black Mirror. The fictional streaming app seems to set the events for the first episode of Black Mirror season 6 titled "Joan Is Awful."
The fictional series The Callow Years references the character Prime Minister Michael Callow (Rory Kinnear) from Black Mirror's very first episode titled "The National Anthem." In the bottom corner of the Streamberry screen is Junipero Dreaming which references the fan-favorite "San Junipero" episode from Black Mirror season 3. Also referenced is Miley Cyrus's Ashely O pop star character from season 5, episode 3 of Black Mirror titled "Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too."
Black Mirror's Easter Eggs Support The Shared Universe Theory
There are several episodes of Black Mirror that feature subtle references and Easter eggs to other episodes that support the Black Mirror shared universe theory. Some examples of these Easter eggs include the recurring white bear symbol first introduced in Black Mirror season 1, episode 2, titled "White Bear." The white geometric emblem represents absolute governmental control and the lack of individual freedom of choice. The sinister symbol returned in season 3, episode 2, titled "Playtest," very briefly, as well as in the 2018 choose-your-own-ending Black Mirror film Bandersnatch.
Black Mirror also contains frequent references to the fictional gaming company Tuckersoft or TCKR in multiple episodes. TCKR was one of the developers of the paradisaical community in "San Junipero." They also make a number of video games that reference previous episodes, such as "Pig In A Poke" and "White Bear." Several of the unique futuristic technologies designed for Black Mirror are used throughout different episodes as well, including virtual reality headsets and specialized contact lenses. Based on the Black Mirror season 6 trailer, these technologies are likely to reappear as Easter eggs, which would further support the shared universe theory.
Black Mirror Season 6's Netflix Episode Could Explain Past Stories
The introduction of Streamberry into the Black Mirror world of technological devices could tie some of its previous episodes together in a previously inconceivable way. Some of the fictional content seen on Streamberry could actually just exist as such, meaning the "San Junipero" Netflix episode could be part of a Streamberry drama series in the Black Mirror universe. Ashley O appears to be a real-life celebrity in the world of Black Mirror season 6, which connects to the shared universe theory in new ways.
Prime Minister Callow is portrayed as a real-life person as well, meaning there could be future references to both him and Ashley O in Black Mirror season 6 and in potential future seasons. One of the most famous Black Mirror episodes, "USS Callister," is teased to have a sequel in the season 6 upcoming episode "Beyond the Sea." Essentially, the Black Mirror shared universe theory could finally be confirmed with the new addition of the Streamberry streaming service. The Netflix parody app could act as the fictional home that combines all the previous episodes together and could create the potential for more character reappearances within the shared universe of Black Mirror.