LOS ANGELES, June 15 (US): A reality show inspired by the hit Netflix series “Squid Game” is coming to the streaming service, but with far fewer dire consequences that contestants have promised.
In the South Korean-produced drama, the players’ lives were at stake. With “Squid: The Challenge,” Netflix said Tuesday in its announcement of the reality show, “The worst fate is to go home empty-handed.”
In a statement, Netflix said the 10-episode competition will have 456 players competing for a “life-changing reward of $4.56 million.” They will compete in series-inspired games along with new challenges aimed at shrinking the playing field.
“For this tour, Front Man is looking for English speakers from any part of the world,” the statement said, referring to the deadly drama’s supervisor. The game program, which will be filmed in Britain, is recruiting online contestants.
A release date for the new show has not been announced.
The original series pitted hundreds of players with financial problems against each other in a fierce competition for a potential multi-million dollar prize. Losers were killed throughout the contest period.
Netflix is the most popular drama, with over 1.65 billion hours watched in the first 28 days after its September 2021 premiere. Netflix said it’s been renewed for a second season with series creator and director Hwang Dong Hyuk.