On April 3, 2025, journalists received a curious email regarding the purported launch of a new tech product dubbed ‘Nubbin.’ As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, this supposedly confidential communication from TCKR Systems Communications was directed at Charlie Brooker, the esteemed creator of Black Mirror.
“Hey Charlie, we are almost all set for the launch of THE NUBBIN™ – whoop!! I am sending you the final assets for one last check and when you’re happy I’ll send out to the press list I’ve created. LMKWYT xxxxx,” the email read.
A disclaimer at the top of the email instructed recipients to “please disregard this previous email,” and the correspondence included a link to a live website. The site purportedly showcased details about the implantable ‘Nubbin’ technology, complete with risk assessments and a FAQ section, enhancing its air of legitimacy.
The leaked email quickly gained traction online, leading many to speculate about its authenticity. **However, it was soon revealed to be a promotional stunt for the upcoming season of Black Mirror, which is set to premiere on April 10 on Netflix.**
Notably, the sender’s casual sign-off, “Email sent on the go. Apologies for any typos,” paired with a wink emoji, suggested a lack of professionalism, hinting at the email’s deceptive nature. Furthermore, the name TCKR Systems Communication is a nod to a fictional tech company featured within the Black Mirror universe, reinforcing the notion that ‘Nubbin’ itself is entirely imaginary.
The Fictional World of Nubbin
As Black Mirror gears up for its highly anticipated season, a robust marketing campaign has painted TCKR Systems Communications and the Nubbin as if they were real entities. In addition to the misleading email, a LinkedIn profile for the fictional company was established, alongside promotional videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. These clips showcased features of Nubbin, including a so-called Gen9 processor.
Promotional claims associated with the ‘Nubbin’ suggested users could “explore nearly forgotten memories,” “star in classic movies,” “play the most immersive games ever known,” access “endless galaxies,” and even “revisit old flames and discover new connections.” The tagline, “It’s better in here,” paired with a fictitious parent company website, ecosystems.tech, rounded out this elaborate marketing ploy.
As part of the new season, the fictional Nubbin technology is set to appear in several episodes, including “Eulogy,” “Hotel Reverie,” and a sequel to “USS Callister.”
Within the Black Mirror storyline, actor Will Poulter portrays Colin Ritman, the inventor of TCKR games, who leverages the technology for an interactive experience. This character draws inspiration from real-life video game pioneer Jeff Minter, known for his groundbreaking work in the 1980s.
It’s worth noting that the fictional company began as Tuckersoft before rebranding to TCKR in the show’s timeline of 1984. This company has been referenced in various episodes like “San Junipero,” “Playtest,” and “Black Museum.”
Such innovative promotional strategies are not new to the creators of Black Mirror. A similar approach was employed during the release of “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” in 2018, which featured fake job postings on the Tuckersoft website to engage audiences.
As excitement builds for the seventh season, launching on April 10, fans eagerly anticipate the return of this Emmy-winning series with six new episodes that promise to delve into the darker corners of modern technology.