Fifteen Million Merits 

In a world where people's lives consist of riding exercise bikes to gain credits, Bing tries to help a woman get on to a singing competition show.

Director:

Euros Lyn

Writers:

Charlie Brooker, Konnie Huq (as Kanak Huq)

Stars:

Daniel Kaluuya, Jessica Brown Findlay, Rupert Everett

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Kaluuya	...	Bingham 'Bing' Madsen
Jessica Brown Findlay	...	Abi Khan
Rupert Everett	...	Judge Hope
Julia Davis	...	Judge Charity
Ashley Thomas	...	Judge Wraith
Paul Popplewell	...	Dustin
Isabella Laughland	...	Swift
David Fynn	...	Oliver
Colin Michael Carmichael	...	Kai (as Colin Carmichael)
Hannah John-Kamen	...	Selma Telse
Kerrie Hayes	...	Glee
Eugene O'Hare	...	Hammond
Jaimi Barbakoff	...	Anna
Merce Ribot	...	Big Shot Registration Lady
Matthew Burgess	...	Botherguts Host

Storyline

In a world where people's lives consist of riding exercise bikes to gain credits, Bing tries to help a woman get on to a singing competition show.

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Plot Keywords:

human powered electrical generator | exercise bicycle | apple | watching pornography | playing a video game | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 2011 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zeppotron,Channel 4 Television Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charlie Brooker stated the idea for this episode originated from his wife Konnie Huq (who co-wrote the episode and is credited under her birth name Kanak Huq) when she remarked that he'd be happy in a world where every wall was a screen.

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Goofs

When Bing meets Abi in the cafeteria, Abi buys an apple. While standing and talking, Abi takes two bites out the apple. But when the sit at a table, Abi picks up the apple and it is untouched.

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Quotes

Bing: I liked your singing the other day.
Abi: I was trying to sing so no one could hear me pee.

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Crazy Credits

Merce Ribot was wrongly credited as "'Big Shot' Registration Lady" (it should say 'Hot Shot').

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Connections

Referenced in Black Mirror: Shut Up and Dance (2016)

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Soundtracks

Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)
Written by Irma Thomas
Performed by Irma Thomas
Also performed by Jessica Brown Findlay

User Reviews

Gut wrenching, but honest

Let me be honest: This is my first episode of Black Mirror, which is a show I've always heard is good, but never got to confirm for myself until now. What made me want to watch this specific episode is not the main character's actor, who has since gone on to star in this year's mega-hit 'Get Out', but it's premise alone. A world where people help power their isolated world by exercising, while those not fit enough become janitors who are often mistreated and mocked or the butt of a joke. It's shocking in it's themes, but not in a way that makes me want to puke.

To put it lightly, this episode displays why I now like this series: it's gut wrenching, horrifying, and shocking, but not in the conventional way of displaying horrific visuals meant to make you cringe. Instead, Black Mirror manages to get all 3 of these across the board with it's honest, tight, and brilliantly told messages about the many ways society could connect with technology... and let me tell you, none of them are really 'good'. This specific episode I've chosen to review is something that starts out subtle, and only goes downhill as the episode progresses. I'm not going to say anything about this episode other than how much it got to me, because it really is one you're better left seeing without too much knowledge about it. Many of the characters I found interesting, even some minor ones. They're relatable in ways that everyone can agree with, and the dialog plus the overall story is sharply written to a point that made the 1 hour I spent watching it feel like nothing.

If you're looking into Black Mirror as a potential series to binge, know that it's not for everyone. It's shocking and emotional in many unconventional ways, and almost always has a statement to make, so if that sounds good, then shoot for it. Just thinking of this episode makes me want to watch the other episodes.