10-07-2025
Netflix announces return of VERY controversial series - despite it sparking waves of complaints for 'tone deaf and ignorant' scenes
Netflix has confirmed the return of a controversial series that sparked a wave of complaints from viewers over its 'tone deaf and ignorant' scenes.
The streaming giant has officially renewed Squid Game: The Challenge for a second instalment - and also revealed when it will land on screens.
It first debuted in 2023, following on from the original South Korean drama, but without the life or death consequences.
Netflix bosses have revealed a second series of the show will be available to stream from November 4, with a brand new set of contestants.
In addition, they've officially ordered a third series, cementing Squid Games' future on the platform until near the end of the decade.
A teaser said: 'This time, 456 brand-new contestants will enter the ultimate test of strategy, alliances, and endurance as they compete for a life-changing $4.56 million prize.'
It added: 'Inspired by the iconic original series with shocking new twists and never-before-seen games season two raises the stakes higher than ever. As players face elimination at every turn, only one can emerge victorious. New players. New games. New rules.'
The new series comes after Squid Game: The Challenge was previously savaged by critics, pulling in a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 48%.
Squid Game's original drama launched in 2021 and aired for three seasons before being cancelled by the streamer.
Fans previously slammed the competition spin-off, saying Netflix brought the competition that the Squid Game TV series satirises to life as they condemned the streaming platform.
'I see you completely missed the point of the series. Good job,' they wrote.
'How are you so ignorant to the entire point of the show that was on your platform,' another wondered. 'Like did you even watch it?'
'The fact this even exists proves they didn't understand the point of the actual show - it's going to be so disappointing how popular this will likely be,' a third penned.
Many pointed out that Netflix represents the very forces of power that the series is trying to speak out against and is ignorantly proving the point of the series.
Netflix also revealed they've officially ordered a third series, cementing Squid Games' future on the platform until near the end of the decade
The new series comes after Squid Game: The Challenge was previously ravaged by critics, pulling in a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 48%
'Making a reality game show based a show that critiques capitalism is still super cringe,' one user wrote.
Another commented: 'I hate that this exists. Squid Game's entire premise was a satire of greed, class warfare and exploitation of the working class. So naturally a large corporate entity like Netflix just saw dollar signs $$.'
'Squid Game is a show about people struggling with finances, being played with and humiliated by the rich. It is not subtle about it, and mentions some Korea-specific circumstances and events,' one viewer said, adding: 'Making a fun happy-go-lucky game out of it is, IMO (in my opinion), tasteless.'
Meanwhile, three anonymous contestants previously spoke to Variety, claiming they had to film for hours on end in zero degree Celsius weather.
'This is not a Bear Grylls survival show. If they had told us it was going to be that cold, no one would have gone through with it,' the first source shared.
They added: 'Imagine you're playing Red Light Green Light for six hours. What game is that? This isn't a game.
