Black Mirror season 7 episode 'USS Callister: Into Infinity' spoilers follow.
Michaela Coel's absence in Black Mirror season 7's sequel to 'USS Callister' has been explained by creator Charlie Brooker.
The I May Destroy You actor appeared in the original season 4 episode back in 2017, playing the role of Shania Lowry.
However, she is noticeably absent in the newly released sequel 'USS Callister: Into Infinity', with the episode confirming that her character died off-screen.
Brooker has now revealed that Coel's absence was down to scheduling issues, admitting to Entertainment Weekly that it was "a gargantuan feat to get everyone’s schedule to align".
"We couldn't get everyone’s schedules to align," he added. "I've always been a fan. I think she’s wonderful. We’ve had her in two episodes before, it would be greedy to get her back for a third!"
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Explaining Lowry's fate, Brooker added: "We do tell you exactly where she is. Unfortunately, she died in a mission. It’s quite quick. [One character] says, 'Shania was blasted apart right in front of me two weeks ago and I can still smell her f**king blood'."
The show boss previously opened up about how the 'USS Callister' sequel came about, telling Deadline that the original "ended as though we were setting it up for the sequel".
The idea of a movie or a limited series was floated but ultimately it was given its own sequel episode in season 7, which is out from today.
"It went through various guises but in the end we made it feature length within the season," he said. "It took so long getting it together — we had the pandemic, writers' strike and then had to get everyone's schedules lined up, and that was its own Rubik's cube on a unicycle."
Black Mirror seasons 1-7 are streaming on Netflix now.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
