It's been over seven years since USS Callister first graced our screens as part of .

The space-faring , which paid homage to Star Trek, quickly became one of the most iconic and talked-about episodes of the anthology series. And now, for the first time in history, a , set to air on on April 10.

The Emmy-winning episode, written by creator Charlie Brooker and William Bridges, follows Robert Daly (played by Jesse Plemons), a reclusive and disgruntled CTO of a tech company who creates a virtual reality game where he can control digital clones of his co-workers.

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Inside the retro sci-fi simulation aboard the USS Callister, Daly rules with a terrifyingly tyrannical grip, forcing his victims to play along with his space adventure fantasies or face brutal punishment.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Milanka Brooks who plays the blue-skinned Elena Tulaska admits the sequel nearly didn't happen as the cast faced numerous obstacles along the way.

"There were multiple iterations created by the wonderful Charlie Brooker over the years," Milanka says. "The fact that we all managed to escape Daly's control at the end of the episode gave ideas to Charlie to continue making it into something after that.

"Because of cast availability, we never quite got there and I thought it might never happen. Even on the flight to filming, I remember thinking 'this still might not happen'. But we got there in the end."

USS Callister quickly became one of Black Mirror's most popular episodes, ranked as the sixth best episode overall by Variety last year. The episode starred an impressive cast, including Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Michaela Coel, and Milanka Brooks, 42, who also starred in Benidorm.

The episode's conclusion, which saw the crew breaking free from Daly's control and embarking on their own journey through the vastness of the digital universe, left the door open for potential continuations. But despite ongoing fan demand, a follow-up never materialised - until now.

Milanka, originally from London but now living in Los Angeles, said there was a "special moment" when the cast reunited onboard the spaceship scene during filming. "Honestly, I wasn't sure the sequel would ever happen because circumstances kept pushing it back," she explains. "The first time it really sunk in was when we were all brought out to the spaceship and that was a pretty special moment for the cast."

The relentless delays were largely due to logistical issues - particularly aligning schedules for a star-studded cast that includes Cristin Milioti, Jesse Plemons, Jimmi Simpson, and Michaela Coel. Added to that were the pandemic-related disruptions and the Hollywood strikes of 2023, which brought much of the entertainment industry to a grinding halt.

But when it finally happened, Milanka describes the experience as surreal and thrilling. "It was wonderful," she admits.

The sequel's announcement marks a significant milestone for Black Mirror, which has always prided itself on producing standalone episodes with uniquely dark and twisted storylines. This is the first time the show has returned to explore a previously established universe.

The original installment won four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Television Movie, and was widely regarded as a modern classic. Fans have spent years speculating about the fate of the newly liberated crew, and it appears their patience will finally be rewarded.

It's a risky move for a series that thrives on reinventing itself with each episode, but if any storyline had the potential to warrant a sequel, it's USS Callister. Its perfect blend of psychological horror, satire, and emotionally charged storytelling left audiences craving more.