Latinos in Black Mirror You Might’ve Missed

Okay, so we’re all a little obsessed with Black Mirror. That show has been messing with our minds for a long time. Every episode feels like a punch in the brain, but it’s the good kind. Technology, society, drama, and a lot of “Wait, did that really just happen?”

And guess what? Black Mirror has also been low-key, giving some shine to two of our favorite Latino celebs. So, since the show is making a big comeback on April 10 with Season 7 (finally!), we figured now’s the perfect time to look back and say: Did you know these Latinos were in Black Mirror?

Salma Hayek as… Herself

Episode: Joan Is Awful (Season 6, Episode 1)
Role: Salma Hayek as “TV Joan” / Herself

In Season 6’s first episode, Salma Hayek literally plays herself. Well… kinda. It’s complicated. The episode is called Joan Is Awful and it’s one of those wild stories that only Black Mirror can pull off.

So here’s the deal: this woman named Joan finds out her boring, regular day is now a TV show, and Salma Hayek is playing her. Every little thing Joan does ends up on TV hours later. Her breakup, her weird therapy session, her most private thoughts, all broadcasted on a fake Netflix-like platform called Streamberry. And the actress playing her is none other than Salma Hayek.

Salma Hayek in Netflix’s Black Mirror (2023) pic.twitter.com/6rTHhQG0Jx

— ENCANTADORA: Salma Hayek (@salmahayekfans) September 19, 2024

But here’s a plot twist: Hayek had no idea they were gonna use her image like that. She just signed some contract, and Streamberry used her face with CGI and a quantum computer to create a deepfake version of her. So Salma ends up just as mad as Joan. The two team up, dress up (yes, Salma in a cheerleader outfit at a wedding is a whole thing), and set out to destroy the company. It’s funny, weird, and also kinda terrifying when you think about tech and AI. And there’s also a Frida reference.

Danny Ramirez in a Paparazzi Nightmare

Episode: Mazey Day (Season 6, Episode 4)
Role: Hector, the photographer

If you’ve seen “Top Gun: Maverick,” you might know Danny Ramirez as Fanboy. If you’ve seen “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Brave New World,” then you know he’s our new Falcon in the Marvel world. But did you catch him in “Black Mirror”?

In the episode “Mazey Day,” Danny plays Hector, a paparazzi guy who’s really desperate for a paycheck. Along with Bo (played by Zazie Beetz), he goes after a celebrity named Mazey Day, who’s gone off the grid. Everyone wants a picture of her, and there’s a $30K reward up for grabs. But this is “Black Mirror,” so you already know things are gonna get wild. Let’s just say Mazey’s got… supernatural problems.

Danny Ramirez as Hector in Black Mirror’s ‘Mazey Day’ #BlackMirror pic.twitter.com/OoVDwSFMWQ

— • Maria Z • (@mariatheblogger) June 16, 2023

It’s set in the 2000s, and Danny’s character is one of the few who actually has a heart, even while doing a pretty shady job. It’s one of the more horror-style episodes, and it leaves you questioning the price of fame, media obsession, and who’s really the monster here. Danny Ramirez holds his own in a story that’s both intense and sad, and kind of bloody. Plus, having a Colombian-Mexican actor in the Black Mirror universe? We’re totally here for it.

With Season 7 dropping soon, we already know that no Latino actor is portraying a big role in any episode, but we’ll keep our eyes open. While we hope for more Latino representation in future seasons, for now we’re just going to keep rewatching Season 6 and freaking out every time Salma Hayek appears with that yellow bodysuit.