Netflix are cashing in on the Squid Game hype after announcing a highly anticipated reality competition series based on the uber popular South Korean dystopian drama. Here’s everything we know about the concept so far.
Obviously, it won’t be life or death that will be at stake, (or at least we hope so) but instead a huge cash prize of $4.65m. Netflix claims this will in fact be the highest ever cash prize in the history of television. The show will feature a whopping 456 contestants, keeping in line with the source material. Participants need to be at least 21 years old. They must speak English, and be available for up to 4 weeks in early 2023 for filming.
A statement by Netflix said that as “contestants compete through a series of games inspired by the original show – plus surprising new additions – their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them.”
Speaking about the upcoming series, Netflix’s Vice President of unscripted and documentary series, Brandon Riegg said: “Squid Game took the world by storm with [director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s] captivating story and iconic imagery.”
“We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment. Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest-ever cash prize at the end,” he continued.
The reality series will consist of 10 episodes which happens to be one more than the original dramatic series. The competition series is a co-production between Studio Lambert and The Garden, part of ITV Studios, and it will be filmed in the UK.
The original scripted drama Squid Game holds the record as Netflix’s most popular series of all time, with over 1.65 billion view hours in the first 28 days after its September 2021 premiere. On June 12, 2022, Squid Game was officially renewed for season 2 as Netflix and Director Hwang Dong-Hyuk confirmed they will once again team up for a whole new round.
