Netflix has bizarrely found its next reality hit with the streamer officially renewing Squid Game: The Challenge for a second season. The renewal news came paired with an under-40-second announcement trailer, which showed real-life people commenting about dying to be a part of the reality series and asking when the series will return.
The hit reality Squid Game spin-off reality TV series recently wrapped up its first season, with Mai Whelan (player 287) winning the competition and taking home a whopping USD$4.56 million cash prize (or roughly AUD$7 million).
Discussing the renewal of the series, Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of Nonfiction Series, said in a statement, “There was no red light in our decision to green-light season two of Squid Game: The Challenge, the most ambitious unscripted show we’ve premiered at Netflix. We’re so excited to continue the franchise of Squid Game with our team in Korea, and producers at Studio Lambert and The Garden for this epic competition series.”
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While the release date for season two of Squid Game: The Challenge remains under wraps for now, the upcoming second season might likely take its cues from the games that will be featured in the second season of the Squid Game drama series, set to hit Netflix sometime in 2024.
In the meantime, casting for season two of Squid Game: The Challenge is currently underway, and anyone interested in trying their luck can apply at SquidGameCasting.com. Within a short period since its debut, the Squid Game reality spin-off has become one of Netflix’s most popular exclusives, dominating the streamer’s Top 10 English TV list, soaring to the No. 1 spot.
The series garnered 20.5 million views in its debut week and an impressive 11.4 million the following week. Notably, the series has also earned a spot on the Top 10 lists in 93 countries, further attesting to its widespread international success. The first season of Squid Game: The Challenge saw 456 real players vying for Netflix’s biggest reality TV cash prize.
The show recreated many elements from the original survival drama, including childlike games like Red Light, Green Light, and the iconic green tracksuits. As the competition intensified and reached the final round, three contestants remained: Sam (player 016), Mai (player 287), and Phil (player 451).
In a nail-biting finale, Mai Whelan (player 287) was declared as the winner, walking away with the grand prize. In a post-win interview, Mai shared, “Today just validates that anything is possible. Even when (you) feel down and afraid, you have to pick yourself up, be a strong person and focus. Whatever you fear is, fight it with everything you got, and you can accomplish anything. And I’ve proven that tonight. I am the winner.”
