CHARLIE BROOKER: Unfortunately, I can only ever use a maximum of 6% of my mind.
ANNABEL JONES: You should tell us at the end!
What was your inspiration for this one?
Credit: Netflix
BROOKER: I’m glad you said that, because the tone of this one is quite nuts.
It starts one place and accelerates into insanity by the end.
Often withBlack Mirror,there are two ideas that collide.
And we were discussing the rise of holographic versions of artistsPrinceandWhitney HoustonandAmy Winehouse.
It’s notable these people often pass away in extremely tragic circumstances.
They’ve been chewed up by the fame industry and now they’re being resurrected.
It’s extremely ghoulish.
And we were thinking of A.I.
toowhat if you could program something that could write like John Lennon?
And Alexa, all those virtual assistants, and how they provide companionship of a kind.
and it sort of spun out from there.
I half expected the evil aunt to somehow be literally unmasked at the end.
BROOKER:It’s funny you say that.
At one point I proposed her face should fall off and show all sorts of circuits and cogs.
I said she should disappear in a puff of smoke.
I was down for that.
I think she almost does that because she looks down the lens and acknowledges the viewer.
That’s as close as we get.
But what did Miley Cyrus specifically bring to the part?
JONES: Probably more attitude.
She has that attitude.
She isn’t afraid to step aside and do something edgy.
But what I love about the film is the vulnerability she brought amongst all of this.
And she drew on all of that.
JONES: I don’t think she pushed back on anything.
She had some thoughts on the costume and the look.
She’s been through that role and we just fed off her.
BROOKER:Some of Miley’s observations ended up when the aunt is giving her presentation.
There were lines about that that ended up in [the episode].
Also while I have you: Any update on doing a spin-off series from theBlack Mirroruniverse?
I continue to think a “Metalhead” series would work.
BROOKER:That’s one wecan’tanswer.
But you said that in an arch kind of way that makes me think there’s something there.
BROOKER:Or is it a triple bluff?
This is one part of a three-part interview.
Also, read Brooker and Jones discussing"Striking Vipers"and"Smithereens."
UPDATE:All 23Black Mirrorepisodes ranked(including season 5)
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