Squid Game became the most-watched show on Netflix when it premiered in 2021. Looking at the popularity of the survival drama, the streaming platform decided to turn it into a reality game show, named Squid Game: The Challenge.
Much like the drama series, the reality show will feature 456 players who will play a series of games to stand a chance to win $4.56 million. But fortunately, death would not be the punishment if they lose the game. Here is everything you should know about Squid Game: The Challenge, including release date, cast, and premise.
Squid Game: The Challenge Release Date and Trailer
Netflix has confirmed that Squid Game: The Challenge will premiere in November 2023. However, the exact release date has not been announced yet. It is also known that the series will feature 10 episodes. It remains to be seen whether Netflix decides to drop all the episodes together or follow a weekly schedule.
As for the trailer, an official announcement teaser was launched by the streaming platform a year ago in June. The clip showed money being poured into a bowl and some glimpses of games from the original show.
Squid Game: The Challenge Cast
The show is going to feature 456 contestants. The full cast has not been revealed yet, but eight names have been confirmed so far. The confirmed contestants include 70-year-old English bodybuilder Van Wijk, actor Terry Myers, television actress Theresa Sherron, and 31-year-old actor Deandre Sipthekid Smith.
The rest of the contestants include Sunday Morning Live alum Lee Taylor, Supreme Justice with Judge Karen actor Marcus Harrington, Mind Wiped actor Midge Ripoli and 44-year-old Brian D. Banks, who would be making his debut with the show.
Squid Game: The Challenge Plot
The plot of the reality series will be similar to that of the original show, featuring a series of children and strategic games that test the contestants’ physical and mental strength. For obvious reasons, the games would not be as dangerous as the ones depicted in the Korean drama.
Out of the 456 players, the winner will take home the prize money of $4.56 million. “With both the largest cast and lump sum cash prize in reality TV history, 456 real players will enter the game in pursuit of a life-changing reward of $4.56 million,” says the premise released by Netflix.
“As they 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. The stakes are high, but in this game, the worst fate is going home empty-handed,” it reads further.
Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of unscripted and documentary series, also elaborated on the series in a recent presentation and said, “Squid Game took the world by storm with Hwang’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.”
How excited are you to watch Squid Game: The Challenge? Let us know in the comments section.
