It’s official: Netflix’s breakout hit of 2021, Squid Game, will be getting a second season, co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos confirmed.
On Netflix’s fourth quarter 2021 earnings interview, Sarandos was asked whether there would be a second season of the violent South Korean survival competition game, which has become the company’s most-viewed TV series. “Absolutely,” Sarandos replied. “The Squid Game universe has just begun.” He said Squid Game has growth potential outside of the streaming service with live experiences, games and merchandise.
As we previously reported, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had indicated that the hit series would be returning for a second season. “There’s been so much pressure, so much demand and so much love for a second season. So I almost feel like you leave us no choice! But I will say there will indeed be a second season,” Hwang told the Associated Press last fall. “It’s in my head right now. I’m in the planning process currently.” Hwang also said that lead actor Lee Jung-jae will return as Squid Game’s main character, Seong Gi-hun. “Gi-Hun will come back, and he will do something for the world.”
COMEBACK SQUID: Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director, creator, writer of #SquidGame says the show will be back with more Gi-hun adventures. pic.twitter.com/uqC1DIdZqy
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) November 9, 2021
Per Variety, Squid Game viewers worldwide streamed 1.65 billion hours of the show in the first 28 days of its release. The series made history at the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards by becoming the first non-English-language series and first Korean series to score a nomination, for cast in a drama series, actor in a drama series (Lee Jung-jae), actress in a drama series (Jung Ho-yeon), and stunt ensemble. In addition, Squid Game won three Golden Globe Awards, including best TV drama, and earned O Yeong-su a supporting actor trophy. The show was also nominated for three Critics Choice Awards and a Gotham Award win for breakthrough series.
GALLERY: Photos from ‘Squid Game’ Guild Screening
