The ‘Black Mirror’ Cameos You My Have Missed, Plus ‘USS Callister’ Spin-Off A Possibility
Black Mirrorseason 4 dropped onto Netflix just before the end of 2017, which means you’re likely all caught-up on it by now, right? If so, come along with me on a journey through a list ofBlack Mirrorcameos you may have missed!
Also: the director of theBlack Mirrorepisode “USS Callister” says he’s more than ready to launch an entire spin-off series based around that one particularStar Trek-inspired segment.
If you have yet to catch up withBlack Mirrorseason 4, you might want to beware of possiblespoilershere. In theBlack Mirrorepisode “USS Callister”, there were two very quick, very subtle cameos that may have passed you by. The episode finds several characters trapped within aStar Trek-like series, that actually turns out to be a big, deceptive computer simulation (which is pretty much the go-toBlack Mirrortwist at this point). Near the end of the episode, the inhabitants of the digital world have a quick confrontation with the voice of an angry, online gamer. There’s a chance that voice sounded familiar to you: it belongs to none other thanAaron Paul, ofBreaking BadandBojack Horsemanfame. Not to be smug or anything, but I absolutely noticed this cameo – Paul’s raspy voice is very distinct. I will freely admit that I totally missed theotherbig “USS Callister” cameo, however.
Eagle-eyed viewers over atSyfynoticed a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo fromKirsten Dunst. Here’s a screenshot that shows Dunst hustling to get out of frame before anyone can notice she’s there.
Dunst’s cameo here may seem random, but the actress is actually engaged to “USS Callister"starJesse Plemons(in fact, the two recently announced they’re expecting their first child together; mazal tov!); Plemons and Dunst also previously appeared together onFargo. So there you have it: Kirsten Dunst is now officially part of theBlack Mirroruniverse. Speaking of theBlack Mirroruniverse, how would you like to see it to expand even further?
Speaking withThe Hollywood Reporter,Toby Haynes, who helmed “USS Callister”, says that he’d be more than willing to launch an entire newBlack Mirrorspin-off based on the episode. “‘USS Callister’ is probably one of the best pilots for a space show ever,” says Haynes, adding:
“I was talking with Louise Sutton, who produced this and “Metalhead,” and she cooked up a brilliant idea of spinning it off into a TV series. I’d love to do a TV series of “USS Callister”…I’m keen to see it as a TV series. I think [Black Mirror creator Charlie [Brooker] might revisit it as a Black Mirror. Whether I’m the one to do it, I don’t know. Being a fan of the show as much as I am, and being a part of making it, I’d love to work with that crew and cast again. It’s a gift for a director.”
Without givingtoo muchaway, the end of “USS Callister” ends with the starship’s crew jettisoning off to explore vast reaches of (cyber)space, which could very well set the stage for an entire series. That said, the series would likely end up seeming like anotherGalaxy Quest(or perhaps the FOX seriesThe Orville). Still, this idea has potential if handled correctly.
