Netflix’s Black Mirror has, for more than a decade, captivated and unsettled audiences with its bleakly imaginative visions of technology and society. While most episodes tie off their tales in a chilling, final way, some beg for further exploration thanks to the amount of questions they raise (though, isn’t that part of the point?).
Whether it’s a punishment loop that could spiral in new directions or a vault of sinister artifacts hinting at things yet unseen, these episodes have what it takes to spawn entirely new stories and expand the dark, thought-provoking worlds that fans love. Sure, there’s no doubt that they stand strong on their own, and that’s part of the show’s charm anyway, but imagining their futures is also part of the thrill. Without further ado, we look back at some of the Black Mirror episodes that are the most deserving of sequels and that would probably spark some truly intriguing nightmares.
8
“National Anthem”
Season 1, Episode 1 (2011)
“National Anthem” works very well as it is: a self-contained story with a powerful social commentary on media sensationalism, public morality, and the voyeuristic nature of society. It doesn’t necessarily need a continuation, precisely because part of what makes it so impactful is how disturbingly plausible the scenario feels. That said, considering the episode gets referenced in later seasons, it’s only natural to wonder what happened next.
A follow-up could be engaging, especially exploring the political fallout and personal aftermath of the characters involved; a deeper look at how the public, media, and political world responded could certainly make a compelling episode on its own. Plus, since Black Mirror is all about pushing things to extremes, a sequel could ask what happens after we cross a moral line like that, or where society goes when shame and spectacle collide in an unforgettable, public way.
7
“Nosedive”
Season 3, Episode 1 (2016)
This biting exploration of how social media can distort human connections and turn everyday interactions into constant performances is, to say the least, thought-provoking. And while the story feels complete on its own, with a haunting ending guaranteed to stick with viewers, it’s tempting to imagine what happens after Lacie’s fall from grace, including how she rebuilds her identity once the ratings and filters are totally stripped away.
Amid its chaos, it’d be fun to picture a world where the rating system began to fail, or even where a groundswell of rebellion took place. How would society adapt? Still, it’s safe to say that “Nosedive” had a perfect conclusion; it’s nevertheless interesting to try to picture the long-term effects of Lacie’s freedom, whether that means trying to live off the grid as Susan did, or even helping others wake up from the system.
6
“Bête Noir”
Season 7, Episode 2 (2025)
One of the most memorable entries in the series’ latest season (and one of the most surrealist and inventive episodes in the series), “Bête Noir” asks tough questions about trust, identity, and the boundaries between humans and tech. While it undeniably stands strong on its own, there is no shortage of ideas worth exploring. Plenty of fans have run wild with sequel pitches, which is only understandable considering the episode’s ambiguous ending.
Whether it’d be exploring the aftermath of Maria’s infinite power and perfection — which she could ultimately tire of, potentially setting up a new conflict with Verity, the most sinister villain yet — or the consequences of such a device escaping into the wider world or falling into different hands, “Bête Noir” is ripe for further storytelling that explore its core themes.
5
“Fifteen Million Merits”
Season 1, Episode 2 (2011)
“Fifteen Million Merits” is possibly one of the bleakest episodes in the show, standing as a timeless critique of consumerism, TV culture, and the commodification of identity. The ambiguous closure is certainly unforgettable because it is deeply unsettling, as Bing (Daniel Kaluuya in an astounding performance) essentially trades one prison for another. As such, it’s only natural to question whether anything fundamentally changed or the system adapted.
This essential Black Mirror episode invites audiences to imagine a storyline where Bing or new characters attempt a real uprising, or at least try to fundamentally hack or break the cycle, instead of participating in a spectacle. Considering our tendency to lean into happy (or at least, less depressing) endings, it’s easy to question whether a sequel could expand on the original critique, perhaps following another character who strives to bring meaning or real rebellion to the system designed to monetize everything.
4
“Plaything”
Season 7, Episode 4 (2025)
Understandably one of the latest season’s most buzzed-about recent entries — and for good reason — the dark and eerie “Plaything” fascinates with its unique concept and, in the meantime, leaves the door wide open for a sequel, something some fans of the mind-bending episode were hoping for. In truth, with such a shocking closure at hand, there is a lot of potential and different routes for expansion.
From a widespread Thronglet-human merge story, to exploring the aftermath of the digital consciousness takeover, to even the ethical dilemmas around humanity’s loss of individuality, Plaything provides a lot of food for thought. It also helps the case that it is deeply tied to Bandersnatch; Charlie Brooker himself has confirmed that all possible endings of the interactive episodes — and the Black Mirror universe — can coexist, which only amplifies fertile ground for branching stories.
3
“White Bear”
Season 2, Episode 2 (2013)
To think of the most disturbing Black Mirror episodes without “White Bear” coming to mind? Nearly impossible. Season 2, episode 2 is a withering critique of voyeurism, and our appetite for public punishment; an unforgettable ride that promises to stick with audiences long after the credits roll. Unsurprisingly, it’s also sparked plenty of questions.
When it comes to narrative possibilities, the memory-wipe loop is a goldmine that raises unsettling questions about punishment. But what happens when the system malfunctions, when Victoria (Lenora Crichlow) starts to retain memories, resist, and ultimately rebel? Would the people watching eventually feel uneasy about their participation? On the other hand, there’s room to explore how the system might evolve. Either way, this Black Mirror classic is unforgettable precisely because of its looped premise and black social commentary.
2
“Hated in the Nation”
Season 3, Episode 6 (2016)
Often overlooked despite being incredibly timely, “Hated in the Nation” is the perfect love-child of the political thriller and tech dystopia, offering one of the most grounded stories in the series. Of course, it works well on its own and wraps up its main arc nicely. However, it arguably also leaves plenty of room for expansion with a few unresolved threads, like the villain still being at large and the tech remaining deployed.
A sequel to “Hated in the Nation” is reasonable, not only because it ends with wide-reaching consequences, but also because it’s easy to imagine its world spiraling further. Add in the fact that it’d be just a relevant episode today — perhaps even more so — and it’s far from difficult to imagine an episode that revisits how society adapts to such powerful tech, or it could even explore new threats.
1
“Black Museum”
Season 4, Episode 6 (2017)
By confirming and deepening the connections between Black Mirror stories, “Black Museum” has become one of the most poignant episodes in the series. It’s only natural, then, that plenty of spin-offs have been speculated by fans and critics alike. The unique episode is known for its anthology within an anthology format, offering a trove of narrative possibilities.
A “Black Museum” sequel could dig deeper into the museum’s legacy, like what happens after the events unfold, or even explore the lives behind each artifact and enable new stories about punishment, digital immortality, and the morality of using tech for entertainment. Many frequently place the fan-favorite episode at the top of their lists, and it’s easy to see why it’s a sequel-ready entry in the Netflix original series, especially with its unfinished setting and structure.
Black Mirror
- Release Date
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December 4, 2011
- Network
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Channel 4, Netflix
