It’s been over seven years since USS Callister first graced our screens as part of Black Mirror’s critically acclaimed fourth season.
The space-faring psychological thriller, which paid homage to Star Trek, quickly became one of the most iconic and talked-about episodes of the anthology series. And now, for the first time in Black Mirror history, a sequel has landed.
The Emmy-winning episode, written by Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker and William Bridges, follows Robert Daly (played by Jesse Plemons), a reclusive and disgruntled CTO of a tech company, who creates a virtual reality game where he can control digital clones of his co-workers.
Inside the retro sci-fi simulation aboard the USS Callister, Daly rules with a terrifyingly tyrannical grip, forcing his victims to play along with his space adventure fantasies or face brutal punishment.
Star Milanka Brooks, 42 – who plays the blue-skinned Elena Tulaska – admits the sequel nearly didn’t happen as the cast faced hurdle after hurdle.
“There were multiple iterations created by the wonderful Charlie Brooker over the years,” Milanka tells The Mirror. “The fact that we all managed to escape Daly’s control at the end of the episode gave ideas to Charlie to continue making it into something after that.
“Because of cast availability, we never quite got there and I thought it might never happen. Even on the flight to filming, I remember thinking, ‘This still might not happen.’ But we got there in the end.”
USS Callister quickly became one of Black Mirror’s most popular episodes, ranked as the sixth best overall by Variety last year.
Its conclusion, which saw the crew breaking free from Daly’s control and embarking on their own journey through the vastness of the digital universe, left the door open for potential continuations. But despite ongoing fan demand, a follow-up never materialised – until now.
Milanka, originally from London but now living in Los Angeles, said there was a “special moment” when the cast reunited onboard the spaceship scene during filming.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure the sequel would ever happen because circumstances kept pushing it back,” she explains. “The first time it really sunk in was when we were all brought out to the spaceship and that was a pretty special moment for the cast.”
The relentless delays were largely due to logistical issues – particularly aligning schedules for a star-studded cast that includes Cristin Milioti, Jesse Plemons, Jimmi Simpson, and Michaela Coel.
Added to that were the pandemic-related disruptions and the Hollywood strikes of 2023, which brought much of the entertainment industry to a grinding halt.
But when it finally happened, Milanka described the experience as surreal and thrilling. “It was wonderful,” she admits.
The sequel’s announcement marks a significant milestone for Black Mirror, which has always prided itself on producing standalone episodes with uniquely dark and twisted storylines. This is the first time the show has returned to explore a previously established universe.
The original installment won four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Television Movie, and was widely regarded as a modern classic. Fans have spent years speculating about the fate of the newly-liberated crew, and it appears their patience will finally be rewarded.
It’s a risky move for a series that thrives on reinventing itself with each episode, but if any storyline had the potential to warrant a sequel, it’s USS Callister. Its perfect blend of psychological horror, satire, and emotionally charged storytelling left audiences craving more.
With Milanka back on board alongside an all-star cast, and Brooker’s creative genius once again at the helm, the upcoming sequel promises to be just as compelling and provocative as the original.
And as Milanka reflects on the journey to make the sequel a reality, her excitement is palpable. “It’s been a long time coming,” she says. “But it’s going to be worth the wait.”
It’s not Milanka’s first time being involved in such a prestigious TV show; she previously starred in the famous sitcom Benidorm playing Ionela.
“I’m definitely recognised more for that role – probably because I’m not covered in blue makeup!”
While being part of an award-winning show might seem glamorous, it definitely comes with a gruelling hair and makeup process for the actress.
“Somehow over the years, we’ve sped up the time slightly,” she says. “So instead of three and a half hours, we’re now at two and a half hours. It’s pretty good, actually.”
“Out of all the cast members, I’m the first in and last out, which means not much of a life for me outside of filming.”
The elaborate transformation involves layers of blue paint, prosthetics, and now, thanks to a creative production decision, hair drenched in conditioner to sculpt ‘Medusa-type strands’ that are then wrapped into her wig.
“They basically wet it with essentially a whole tub of conditioner every day and put it into kind of Medusa-type strands and then wrap it all around the top of my head,” she says.
“I have blue at the top of my hairline when everything comes off. I still have black makeup under my eyes and I have red at the bottom of my hair because it sort of helps blend into the red wig that I wear. It’s definitely a sight for sore eyes and I’m sure it’s not the best for my hair.”
The makeup process may be time consuming, but Milanka insists it’s all part of the fun. “The great thing is that there’s always such incredible production teams and crew so it’s just always enjoyable because everyone’s just always having a good time.”
Milanka also starred in the British sitcom The Windsors as Princess Svetlana in 2020 alongside Dame Joanna Lumley, who she admits is the “biggest star” she’s met to date.
“Working with Dame Joanna Lumley was a life goal of mine,” she says. “I’ve always been a huge fan of her work and I think she’s just incredible.
“She was as beautiful and gorgeous and incredible in real life as I’d hoped she would be. And yeah, I completely lost it. When she was giving everybody notes, I was just laughing my ass off continually. Everybody else was listening intently to her directing us and I just couldn’t stop laughing because I was so nervous around her.”
Back to Black Mirror, Milanka shares a small hint as to what the new USS Callister sequel entails, and reveals the crew have some difficult times ahead.
“At the end of the first episode, we are thrown into the real player multiverse,” she explains. “Do we find our freedom in this multiverse or have we entered a pretty dangerous world?”
Black Mirror returns to Netflix on April 10.
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