'Black Mirror' Explores AI's Role in Hollywood with Season 7 Episode
Emma Corrin and Issa Rae star in 'Hotel Reverie,' a narrative delving into AI's impact on the entertainment industry and creative authenticity.
Zeppotron (2011–2013)House of Tomorrow (2014–2019)Broke & Bones (2023–present), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In the seventh season of Black Mirror, which premiered on Netflix, Emma Corrin stars alongside Issa Rae in a standout episode titled "Hotel Reverie." Directed by Haolu Wang, the episode explores an AI technology that allows actors to be placed into classic Hollywood films. Corrin plays Clara Ryce-Lechere, an AI-created character who becomes the love interest of Rae's character, Brandy Friday. The on-screen chemistry between the two was praised by critics, and the episode has drawn comparisons to “San Junipero” for its nostalgic yet tech-infused romance.
"Hotel Reverie" leans into the idea of digital resurrection—not just of performances, but of aesthetics and stories once thought fixed in time. The AI in the episode allows for characters to be inserted into any cinematic backdrop, raising questions about authorship, consent, and the future of acting itself. It’s a premise rooted in real-world advancements, with several studios already experimenting with digital doubles and synthetic voice technologies.
Corrin, in an interview with Elle UK, emphasized their wariness around AI replacing artists rather than assisting them. While praising the episode’s romantic core, they stressed that creative collaboration remains the heart of good storytelling. For Corrin, the conversation around AI isn't just technical—it’s philosophical, especially as more content decisions become driven by data and algorithms.
Rae has also been vocal about equity in the entertainment industry, and her presence in the episode underscores a broader cultural concern: that emerging technology shouldn’t outpace protections for marginalized voices in Hollywood. Black Mirror continues to serve as a sharp mirror to the industry, reflecting not just what’s possible with tech—but what might be lost along the way.