Rashida Jones & Tracee Ellis Ross Reveal Secrets Behind ‘Black Mirror’ Episode 1!

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Greetings! Black Mirror Day to you and yours! Today, April 10th, 2025 marks the premiere of Season 7 for the acclaimed anthology series, which shifted to Netflix in 2016. If you’ve already seen the first episode, here is a link to the Suicide Hotline. “Common People” is intense; it’s brilliant, yet emotionally draining. The rest of the season isn’t as bleak, but oh, what a punch “Common People” packs! MovieWeb recently participated in a press roundtable, discussing the episode with stars Rashida Jones and Tracee Ellis Ross. They shared insights about the Marvel-esque secrecy involved in producing this series.

Ross explained that the information was “extremely confidential” – meaning only he could access it, even his representatives couldn’t see it. The details were digitally encoded especially for him, making it a unique experience, almost as if he was part of a secret world or an alternate reality.

Jones mused, “I believe the universe of ‘Black Mirror’ is kept hidden and mysterious, much like a well-guarded secret. It’s all about maintaining the element of surprise – that’s what makes it so captivating.” Later, Ross shared her experience after she got her hands on the top secret script for “Common People”, describing:

Similar to Rashida, my enthusiasm soared when informed about a Black Mirror episode offer. Without knowing the specifics, I promptly agreed. Upon reading the script, my excitement amplified even further, and I thought, ‘This is even better than expected.’ Then, discovering that Rashida was set to play Amanda, my agreement turned into an emphatic yes.

Selling Your Soul to Survive These Corporate Days

In “Common People,” Rashida Jones portrays a kind-hearted teacher who relies on innovative technology to stay alive. The business controlling this tech, functioning like a streaming platform, unexpectedly floods her life with ads and problems, eventually proposing premium services for extra cost. Tracee Ellis Ross depicts their company representative with a chilling, sorrowful, emotionless charm. Is she a villain? She too required surgery to live; perhaps she’s merely struggling financially, forced to work for a questionable corporation that seems to have ensnared her. The characters and ethics of the episode were discussed by Jones, Ross, and creator Charlie Brooker.

Ross remarked, ‘Everything seemed so clearly depicted.’ This is one of the charms of writing in Black Mirror, as it suggests more than what’s actually written, painting a vivid picture of characters. Charlie’s writing style, as Ross discovered, revolves around the character, crafting authentic individuals that we can relate to and feel for. I believe this is what resonated with me.”

Ross then went on to analyze her character:

I believe she may not view herself as wicked; instead, it appears that way to others. She’s been hurt in her weakness and now seems to be inflicting harm, symbolizing greed. However, I don’t think anyone intends to be harmful. People usually act based on their beliefs, whether they are misguided or not, believing they are doing what is right, even if it leads them astray. Sometimes, I struggle with empathy, but regardless, people often find themselves in such situations.

Ross added, “[‘Common People’] seems to give the viewers room for interpretation. They can view her character as a villain, or perceive the system itself – be it capitalism, greed, or technology – as the antagonist instead.

In my perspective, Jones is spot-on with her observation. It’s much like being trapped in a vicious cycle, and it’s incredibly challenging to break free from either side. When there’s an opportunity to earn money and secure ourselves, we usually seize it without giving it a second thought. That’s the nature of capitalism.

However, when we find ourselves immersed in such situations, and they start shaping our lives, most of us become unknowing contributors to the problem. This is one of the many sobering realities that Black Mirror brings to light in Season 7, which is currently streaming on Netflix via the link provided below.

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2025-04-10 10:05