The One, a science-fiction programme with the same premise, was also seen as lesser than Black Mirror by critics. Additionally, the sixth series episode "Demon 79" is introduced as a Red Mirror film; Brooker said that, if successful, there could be further episodes under this label.

The producer Lucy Dyke commented that Netflix expected the series to become "bigger and better" and "more international", while production designer Joel Collins said that Netflix was happy to support ideas on the same scale or on a larger scale than previous episodes. That being said, I found the book to be an interesting read and enjoyed the vivid description Werlin uses to bring her world to life.However, Hugh Montgomery of the BBC said that the programme's "variable quality is more starkly evident than ever" with "one good episode to two middling-to-bad ones". The titles of the six episodes that make up series three were announced in July 2016, along with the release date. Writing in Vulture, Jen Chaney analysed that it had an increased variety in setting and tone, as well as longer episodes.

As her last resort of employment, Kayleigh takes a job as a content moderator, reviewing the hate and horror that people post online.Frances thought Daniel was not murdered and committed sucide, but she also believed that he would ever do that, because Daniel is so outgoing and would help anyone if they need help at the shelters. Morgan Jeffery of Digital Spy rated it four stars, praising the characters and emotionality, but criticising the ending.

He stated that many new dystopian sci-fi programmes had emerged since its 2011 debut, and he now wished to focus on horror and settings in the past.He wrote some material while standing up, as the slight discomfort discouraged time-wasting; he said that the first draft, the "vomit draft", was always terrible, but had to be written.

Rolling Stone found the series's move to Netflix brought mixed results, with lessening impact from its overuse of simulated reality and transfer of consciousness.It was modelled in the style of The Twilight Zone (1959–1964), Tales of the Unexpected (1979–1988) and Hammer House of Horror (1980).