'Squid Game: The Challenge' Season 2: Everything We Know

(Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

published 6 December 2023

It's official. Squid Game: The Challenge—Netflix's unsettling, soulless IP grab that borrows the aesthetics from the mega-hit K-drama while bastardizing its original themes—has officially been renewed for a second season. To build a non-lethal version of Squid Game, the reality show concocted a competition that mixes events from the drama series with intense gameplay twists and a Big Brother-style focus on the individual players, all who seemingly scheme and betray each other for a chance at the $4.56 million prize. Despite its mixed reception from critics, the compulsively-watchable show hit no. 1 on the streamer in both weeks since its Nov. 22 premiere as well as charted in the top 10 in over 90 countries.

Not only is Netflix all in on Challenge (and already working on the second season), the streamer has made its plans clear to also continue the Squid Game franchise. Here's what we know about the upcoming second season of the reality show.

Attention players, are you ready for the next game? Squid Game: The Challenge is returning for a Season 2! Join the reality competition on https://t.co/rHt0nq0WtI. pic.twitter.com/QOtRDpdtD8December 6, 2023

When will 'Squid Game: The Challenge' season 2 be released?

Netflix appears to be fast-tracking production on the second season, as a casting site is already up and recruiting for season 2. Season 1 was filmed in January 2023 across two studios in the U.K., with controversial reports of "inhumane" conditions on set and claims from contestants of game rigging coming as early as February 2023. (Netflix and the studios behind the show released a statement calling the claims "simply untrue.") Depending how quickly they can cast another 456 contestants, season 2 could come around this same time next year.

What other 'Squid Game' stuff does Netflix have planned?

For anyone dying (sorry, bad pun) to try out Squid Game for themselves, there's a video game version in the works, as well as a live immersive experience beginning in LA on December 6 and running "through the new year." More importantly, the original series reportedly began production on season 2 this year, after creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed the new cast during Tudum. Hopefully those new episodes will also be coming next year.

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Quinci is a Culture Writer who covers all aspects of pop culture, including TV, movies, music, books, and theater. She contributes interviews with talent, as well as SEO content, features, and trend stories. She fell in love with storytelling at a young age, and eventually discovered her love for cultural criticism and amplifying awareness for underrepresented storytellers across the arts. She previously served as a weekend editor for Harper’s Bazaar, where she covered breaking news and live events for the brand’s website, and helped run the brand’s social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Her freelance writing has also appeared in outlets including HuffPost, The A.V. Club, Elle, Vulture, Salon, Teen Vogue, and others. Quinci earned her degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. She was a 2021 Eugene O’Neill Critics Institute fellow, and she is a member of the Television Critics Association. She is currently based in her hometown of Los Angeles. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her studying Korean while watching the latest K-drama, recommending her favorite shows and films to family and friends, or giving a concert performance while sitting in L.A. traffic.