Why ‘Black Mirror’ Star Michael Kelly Won’t Let His Daughter Have a Cellphone (Video)
A version of this interview with Michael Kelly first appeared in the print edition of TheWrap Magazine’s Fall TV Issue.
“House of Cards” co-star Michael Kelly stars in an upcoming episode of “Black Mirror,” a British anthology series from Netflix, which uses dark, sci-fi-tinged storytelling to explore the hazards of new technology.
What’s your elevator pitch on the show?
I mean, it’s the black mirror. It’s your phone. You’re looking at yourself. It’s digital, it’s where we are now, it’s where we’re going in the future. And quite often [it leads you to] question your moral compass and what you would do when faced with decisions as big as what these characters go through. And then there’s the technology aspect of it. It’s fascinating.
Also Read: Emmy Quickie: 'House of Cards' Star Michael Kelly Exclusive StudioWrap Portraits (Photos)
Do you think there will ever be a point where technology goes too far?
I think that every generation will say that technology has gone too far. That’s probably always going to be the case. We can’t even imagine what our children will have in their adult lives.
This sticks in my mind, because when I was about 30, the first TV show I did was about hackers. It was called “Level 9.” And only two of the actors, Romany Malco and Esteban Powell, had computers. I didn’t have a computer. How far we’ve come from there.
Think about it: I didn’t have a computer; I didn’t have a cellphone when I moved to New York. And I’m not that old. [Laughs]
Also Read: 'Black Mirror' Creators Detail New Episodes: 'More Demented' Than 'Pokemon Go' Phenomenon
Photographed by Jana Cruder
I’m 47 now, so in 17 years, the difference that’s happened in my life… I mean, it’s pretty far out that my 7-year-old daughter wants [a cellphone].
She’s not going to get one, but she wants one.
The next season of “Black Mirror” begins streaming Oct. 21 via Netflix.
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