There are 33 episodes in seven series and one special, in addition to the interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018) The series explores various genres, with most episodes set in near-future dystopias containing sci-fi technology. The series is inspired by The Twilight Zone and uses the themes of technology and media to comment on contemporary social issues. Black Mirror is considered by some reviewers to be one of the best television series of the 2010s.
Black Mirror is an instance of speculative fiction within science fiction. The majority of episodes are set in dystopian near-futures with novel technologies that exaggerate a trait from contemporary culture, often the internet. Recurring themes throughout Black Mirror include data privacy and surveillance, virtual reality, individualism and consumerism. Some critics believed that episodes produced under Channel 4 had a more British tone or shared aesthetic qualities not found in later series.