BLACK Mirror season five is on Netflix ready-to-watch NOW with a hell of a lot of action crammed into the series’ three episodes.
And it’s definitely a matter of quality over quantity with the latest series which features an all-star cast including superstar Miley Cyrus. Here is what else you need to know…
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How can I watch the fifth series?
The fifth series is available to watch on Netflix NOW.
It dropped on the streaming site on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
And the series is much shorter than it has been in the past.
It will comprise of just three episodes, in contrast to series 4 which had six episodes.
This is because of the release of Black Mirrror’s full-length film Bandersnatch on December 28, 2018.
What is the series about?
Comprised of just three episodes, the dystopian series explores the consequences of technology and the way it pushes modern life to the extreme.
The series sees the meeting of man’s greatest creations with it’s darkest instincts – and some pretty shocking outcomes follow…
Series creator Charlie Brooker has said: “Each episode has a different cast, a different setting, and even a different reality. But they’re all about the way we live now; and the way we might be living in 10 minutes’ time if we’re clumsy.”
The first episode – Strike Vipers – sees old college pals Karl and Danny reconnect in a virtual reality version of their favourite video fame.
But during their bonding ‘gaming’ sessions, the pair stumble across an unexpected – and unwelcomed – discovery.
In the second – Smithereens – a widower (played by Fleabag’s Andrew Scott) takes an intern from a social media company hostage.
And in the final episode of the fifth season a lonely teen becomes obsessed with a robot doll modelled on her music ideal Ashley O – but then the star’s real life begins to unravel leading to some complications…
What has reaction been to the fifth series?
Though most fans have gone wild for the fifth series.
It has panned with critics – garnering some of the worst reviews the show has ever had.
IndiWire critic described it as a “mess,” saying:
“This overly cutesy entry feels like the biggest punt of them all. Somewhere buried within the 67-minute episode is a discussion about replacing pop stars with holograms and mining their memories for new marketable material, but the whole thing is so cartoonish it’s impossible to take any aspect seriously.”
While Vulture’s Kathryn VanArendonk described the third episode as “muddled and pointless” before blasting the entire season as “exquisitely dumb.”
But despite the harsh words from the experts, it’s not all doom and gloom for Charlie Brooker and his cast – as other viewers were quick to deem the series a “cinematic masterpiece.”
Who’s in the cast with Miley Cyrus?
Miley Cyrus
Superstar Miley Cyrus is one of the famous faces playing a role in the show.
In December Miley confirmed that she was returning to acting and had filmed scenes for Black Mirror during an interview on The Howard Stern Show.
She said: “It was the first time that I’ve left somewhere feeling really proud of my work.
“I play one character, but I play a lot of different sides of that character, and there’s a lot of dimension to it.”
It had initially been rumoured that Cyrus was going to be featured in the show, but it wasn’t confirmed until the teaser dropped on May 15.
Andrew Scott
Andrew took on the role of Chris, a widower, in the ‘Smithereens’ episode.
In a desperate attempt to find some form of peace he takes an intern from a social media company hostage.
For most of the episode in which he stars, he spends the majority of his time driving in the car.
The actor doesn’t drive in real life and told Graham Norton how the crew managed to circumvent that slight detail.
He said: “It’s so humiliating that I don’t drive, and I am playing a driver. They basically had to put the car on a skateboard and I had to act driving.
“It was so not cool.”
The Irish award-winning actor is also known for having played roles in movies such as Spectre, Victor Frankenstein, Pride and The Stag.
Anthony Mackie
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Anthony stars as Danny in first episode Striking Vipers.
The actor is certainly keeping himself busy after having recently starred in Avengers: Endgame as Sam Wilson/Falcon.
He has made appearances in blockbuster hits such as Ant-Man and Captain America.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen
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Yahya stars as Karl in first episode Striking Vipers.
He famously played the villain Manta in 2018’s superhero film Aquaman and can also be seen in HBO’s Watchmen.
Damson Idris
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The actor is one of the lesser known stars of the show.
He has previously had parts in Casualty, Doctors, and The Twilight Zone.
Making his role in Black Mirror his biggest to date.
He plays Jaden Tommins in the second episode Smithereens.
His character gets kidnapped by widower Chris – played by Andrew Scott.
Topher Grace
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The actor has had a long-spanning career in Hollywood.
Having starred in Ocean’s Eleven, Mona Lisa Smile, Valentine’s Day and BlacKkKlansman to name a few.
Though he’s perhaps best known for playing Eric in That ’70s Show.
He plays Billy Bauer in the second episode Smithereens.
His character is the CEO of the company that kidnapped Jaden Tommins works for.
Pom Klementieff
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The French actress has starred as Mantis in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
She plays Roxette – a character in a virtual reality game – in the first episode Striking Vipers.
Nicole Beharie
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The actress has had parts in The Good Wife, Law & Order and Bones.
In Black Mirror she stars as Theo in the first episode Striking Vipers.
Theo is Danny’s girlfriend.
Angourie Rice
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The actress is best known for starring in Spiderman, These Final Hours and The Nice Guys.
She plays Rachel in third episode Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too.
Her character is obsessed with her robot doll of her teen idol Ashley O.
Madison Davenport
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Madison is best known for playing Kate Fuller in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series as well as Ruthie Smithens in Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl.
The actress plays Jack – Rachel’s elder sister – in third episode Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too.
Ludi Lin
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The actor plays Lance – a character in a virtual reality game – in the first episode Striking Vipers.
