Will There Be A Squid Game Season 2? Here's What We Know
(Welcome to Will There Be Another Season?, a series where we answer that question and explore what comes next.)
First there was "Money Heist," then "Tiger King," and then there was "The Queen's Gambit." Each of these Netflix shows seemingly came out of nowhere to explode into global sensations throughout the last few years, but all three of them just might have been one-upped by the fervor surrounding "Squid Game." In fact, according to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, it could become the streamer's biggest show ever.
After gaining so much unexpected attention so quickly — Sarandos also mentioned that, "We did not see that coming, in terms of its global popularity" — it's only natural that fans would then turn their focus towards a potential Season 2. Those viewers may be in luck, as the presence of high ratings and widespread internet chatter (two things don't always correlate) combined with some telling quotes by the crew provide reason to be hopeful for another round of "Squid Game."
Warning: Spoilers for "Squid Game" Season 1 abound.
What Is Squid Game?
After helming a handful of successful South Korean films, "Squid Game" writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk burst onto the scene for Western audiences with this nine-episode series for Netflix. The "Battle Royale"-esque storyline of "Squid Game" follows hundreds of desperate contestants with nowhere else to turn who are recruited to participate in scaled-up versions of children's games, but with a twist — if you lost, you die.
The premise might be well-worn to anyone with previous knowledge of this fascinating subgenre of "death game" movies & TV shows but Hwang didn't let that familiarity prevent him from telling this story anyway. He remarked:
"I wanted to write a story that was an allegory or fable about modern capitalist society, something that depicts an extreme competition, somewhat like the extreme competition of life. But I wanted it to use the kind of characters we've all met in real life."
Will There Be a Squid Game Season 2?
Lee Jung-jae plays the lead character in "Squid Game," Seong Gi-hun: a divorced gambling addict who joins the games for the sake of his daughter. By the end of the season finale, "Player 456" (as he's referred to in the deadly tournament) emerges victorious ... but only in the most Pyrrhic sense of the word, as he can't bring himself to enjoy any of his vast winnings or even visit his daughter. If you thought his final act of returning to the games a year later would seem to lead naturally to a second season, you're not alone.
Short answer: Season 2 of "Squid Game" receiving a green light seems increasingly likely. Netflix isn't typically in the business of allowing its many word-of-mouth hits to come and go without any follow-ups whatsoever — "The Queen's Gambit" is a relatively rare instance of a Netflix series telling a standalone story to completion — so keep an eye on /Film for more news about the future of "Squid Game."
What Will Squid Game Season 2 Be About?
We previously reported on Hwang Dong-hyuk's interest in diving into more social commentary in a potential second season of "Squid Game." As he explained,
"If I do get to do one — one would be the story of the Frontman [a former cop who now oversees the game]. I think the issue with police officers is not just an issue in Korea. I see it on the global news. This was an issue that I wanted to raise. Maybe in season two I can talk about this more."
Tackling the almost universal problem inherent within policing certainly feels like a natural extension of the exploration into class politics and corrupt systemic issues featured heavily throughout the first season. Hwang also mentioned (per Variety) that if he were to receive the go-ahead for "Squid Game" Season 2, he'd bring a little more help this time around.
"I don't have well developed plans for 'Squid Game 2.' It is quite tiring just thinking about it. But if I were to do it, I would certainly not do it alone. I'd consider using a writers' room and would want multiple experienced directors."
The director's noticeable hesitation in jumping right into another season of the show is certainly understandable, given that he has also remarked that, "Writing [Squid Game] was harder than normal for me as it was a series, not a film. It took me six months to write and rewrite the first two episodes." It's shockingly easy to forget that, in our rush for more entertainment, there are actual human beings who pour significant time and effort into these works, and it can take a lot out of them.
But fear not, as the prospects of a second season would seem to come down to a matter of scheduling. Netflix executive Bela Bajaria told Vulture that, "[Hwang] has a film and other things he's working on. We're trying to figure out the right structure for him." Consider us optimistic that these potential snags will be worked out, and the games will continue.
"Squid Game" is currently streaming on Netflix.