Owen Harris
The director behind "Be Right Back" and "San Junipero" in the Black Mirror anthology.
Owen Harris is a British television and film director born in 1972, known for directing specific episodes of the anthology series Black Mirror during its early years. He directed "Be Right Back" in 2013 and "San Junipero" in 2016. His work on these episodes contributed to the show's reputation before he moved on to direct feature films and other television projects. Harris is also recognized for his work outside of Black Mirror, including directing episodes of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Misfits.
- Role
- Director
- Affiliation
- Black Mirror (Episodes: "Be Right Back", "San Junipero")
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Owen Harris directed two distinct episodes of Black Mirror that showcased different facets of the series. In 2013, he helmed "Be Right Back," an episode exploring grief and digital resurrection through a character who reconnects with her deceased partner via an AI service. Four years later, in 2016, he returned to direct "San Junipero," which presented a more hopeful narrative set in a virtual reality afterlife where characters can live forever or choose a finite existence. These two episodes bookend the show's transition from its Channel 4 origins to Netflix, with Harris maintaining his role as a key director across both eras. His direction of "San Junipero" is particularly noted for its vibrant visual style and emotional depth, contrasting with the darker tone of his earlier contribution.
In Their Own Story
It records that he directed "Be Right Back" in 2013 and "San Junipero" in 2016, marking a three-year gap between his episodes. The text does not provide dialogue, scene descriptions, or the internal thoughts of the director during filming. Consequently, no narrative story about the making of these episodes can be constructed from the provided source.
Reader's Guide
For viewers interested in Owen Harris's work on Black Mirror, there are two essential episodes to watch: "Be Right Back" (2013) and "San Junipero" (2016). The former offers a somber look at technology mediating grief, while the latter provides a celebratory exploration of consciousness and love within a digital afterlife. Both episodes demonstrate Harris's versatility in handling sci-fi concepts with human emotion. Beyond Black Mirror, fans may explore his other television work on Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Misfits, or his TV movies Holy Flying Circus and The Gamechangers. His feature film debut came in 2015 with Kill Your Friends. More recently, he has been active directing episodes for HBO's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Did You Know?
- Owen Harris directed two Black Mirror episodes separated by exactly three years: "Be Right Back" in 2013 and "San Junipero" in 2016.
- Before his Black Mirror fame, Harris directed the TV movies Holy Flying Circus and The Gamechangers.
- Harris made his feature film debut as a director with Kill Your Friends in 2015, sandwiched between his two Black Mirror episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Owen Harris?
He is a British television and film director born in 1972 who helmed key episodes of the anthology series during its early seasons. His contributions helped establish the show's critical reputation before he shifted focus to feature films.
Which Black Mirror episodes did Owen Harris direct?
Harris directed two notable installments, specifically "Be Right Back" in 2013 and the Emmy-winning episode "San Junipero" in 2016. These stories are among the most celebrated entries in the series' history.
What is Owen Harris's role within the Black Mirror production?
His primary function on the show was serving as the director for specific episodes rather than a writer or producer. He worked closely with the creative team to visualize the distinct tones of his assigned stories.
Did Owen Harris work on other projects besides Black Mirror?
Yes, he is recognized for directing episodes of other television programs like Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Misfits before and after his tenure on the anthology. He has since moved on to direct various feature films and additional TV projects.
Why are Owen Harris's Black Mirror episodes considered significant?
His direction contributed significantly to the show's reputation for high-quality storytelling during its initial run. The emotional depth found in his episodes remains a benchmark for the series' exploration of technology and humanity.
More in Production & Behind the Scenes
Elsewhere in the Black Mirror universe
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