Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
In The National Anthem, Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a ransom demand after Princess Susannah is kidnapped: perform a sex act with a pig on television or let her die. Attempts to trace the kidnapper and fake the broadcast fail. Callow complies while the country watches, unaware that Susannah was released beforehand. His public standing recovers, but his wife Jane withdraws from him behind closed doors.
Fifteen Million Merits moves into a world of exercise bikes, compulsory screens and paid entertainment. Bing spends his savings to send Abi onto the talent show Hot Shot, hoping her singing will free her from their daily labour. The judges instead pressure her into pornography. Bing returns with a furious speech and a threat to kill himself, only to accept a regular programme that turns his anger into another saleable performance.
The Entire History of You brings the pressure inside Liam and Ffion’s marriage. An implant lets Liam replay his memories, and he repeatedly studies his wife’s behaviour around Jonas. His suspicions lead to violence, forced deletions and the discovery that Ffion slept with Jonas near the time their daughter was conceived. Alone in the family home, Liam finally cuts out his implant. The season’s three separate stories leave their protagonists with public success, material comfort or knowledge that has cost them their closest relationships.