The summer season is upon us. While the summer blockbuster movie season gets much of the hype, TV doesn't take the summer off, as there are plenty of enticing and exciting TV shows (new and returning) for people to watch as they try to beat the heat. We here at What to Watch certainly has a number of shows that we can't wait to dive into.

Along with my What to Watch colleagues Sarabeth Pollock and Terrell Smith, we have put together a list of 17 summer TV shows that we're most excited to tune in for and/or binge this summer ranging across streaming services and cable channels. All shows are premiering from Memorial Day weekend through August (even though those later shows will likely bleed a little bit into the fall TV season).

No need to keep you waiting, let's dive into the summer TV shows that we are most excited to watch this year.

Rick and Morty season 8 (May 25, Adult Swim)

The first summer TV show to premiere is none other than the latest adventures of Rick and Morty. The mad scientist, his grandson and the rest of the Smith family will once again traverse the galaxy and multiverse for our entertainment.

Rick and Morty season 7 proved that the show was capable of still being both hilarious and thought provoking despite the exit of Justin Roiland, so the expectations for Rick and Morty season 8 are sky high for the fan-favorite animated series. — Michael Balderston

And Just Like That season 3 (May 29, Max)

I never watched Sex and the City while it was airing, but I was definitely familiar with the story of four friends living fabulous lives in New York City. It was a cultural touchstone for a generation of viewers who dreamed of shoes and Cosmos and living in a luxurious apartment on a writer’s salary.

All it took for me was a week-long binge and I was hooked on the original series, so it’s not surprising that I wanted to see what happened with Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte (Kristen Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) at a different point in their lives in And Just Like That.

In And Just Like That season 3, fans will finally learn whether Carrie and Aidan (John Corbett) are going to stick to their long distance relationship, while Charlotte continues to navigate life with her teens and Miranda figures out what makes her happy. I’m ready to escape to New York this summer! — Sarabeth Pollock

Dept. Q (May 29, Netflix)

At least as of publication, I’m not sure whether or not we’re getting Slow Horses season 5 this summer (Apple TV Plus is expected to release it before the end of the year, but an exact premiere date has not been set). Thankfully, Netflix will have an enticing new series to sate my wisecracking law enforcement officer quota, as Matthew Goode stars as a Scottish detective put in charge of a new division tasked with solving Edinburgh’s toughest cold cases in Dept. Q.

Adding to the intrigue, the series is directed by the creator/director of The Queen’s Gambit, Scott Frank. Say hello to one of my Netflix binges of the summer. — Michael Balderston

Love Island USA season 7 (June 3, Peacock)

After Love Island USA season 6 left quite the impression on viewers (me included) as arguably the best in the history of the franchise, how could I not be excited for Love Island USA season 7. This summer guilty pleasure is fun to watch as unsuspecting men and women in their 20s flock to Fiji in search of love (and the monetary prize). Now ordinarily, I question all reality TV dating shows in terms of whether real romance can be found. However, Love Island USA seemingly has a pretty solid track record. Heck, the PPG couples from Love Island USA season 6 are still together if social media is to be believed.

With all that being said, season 7 has some big shoes to fill. While Ariana Madix is returning to hosting duties, a whole new crop of Islanders will be front and center, and they have the hard task of entertaining fans like their season 6 predecessors. —Terrell Smith

Stick (June 4, Apple TV Plus)

Does Apple TV Plus have another Ted Lasso on its hands? Too soon to tell, but Stick has a few things going for it that the comparison could prove apt.

Owen Wilson stars in the sports comedy as a washed up golf pro who discovers a young phenom and attempts to help develop his game to become a star. While the supporting cast of actors is strong (Judy Greer, Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño), the show also features cameos from some of the top golfers in the game today, as well as legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz.

I’m a golf fan, so I’m definitely interested, but Stick could have some appeal to non-golfers as well. — Michael Balderston

Ginny & Georgia season 3 (June 5, Netflix)

Ginny & Georgia season 2 ended on quite the interesting note, with Georgia (Brianne Howey) being hauled away from her marriage reception in handcuffs. In Ginny & Georgia season 3, she’s set to face off in court for the murder of Cynthia’s (Sabrina Grdevich) husband. While Georgia is in fact guilty of a mercy killing, I have a sneak suspicion she’ll once again be saved from prison. However, I just don’t know how that comes about, so I’ll be watching.

It should also prove interesting to see how Ginny (Antonia Gentry) deals with a murderous scarlett letter on her mother’s chest. The teen already had some coming-of-age issues, so trying to stand beside her mother during a criminal case of this magnitude could push her to a whole new level of stress. — Terrell Smith

The Real Housewives of Miami season 7 (June 11, Peacock)

Since The Real Housewives of Miami was resuscitated on Peacock before returning to Bravo, I’ve argued with friends that the reality TV show is arguably the second-best Housewives series on the air, behind The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. The ladies in South Beach really know how to bring the drama in a way that feels less contrived and slightly less toxic. Don’t get me wrong, the arguments among the group can be completely ridiculous at times, but that’s part of what makes the show so entertaining.

The Real Housewives of Miami season 7 could prove to be the best yet, as it appears some alliances are shifting, some romances are ending and the former girlfriend of Nicole’s fiancé Anthony has joined the cast. — Terrell Smith

The Gilded Age season 3 (June 22, HBO)

A friend’s mother recommended The Gilded Age, so I watched it and was immediately captivated. I love history, and the HBO show is like an American history book come to life — with a side of Real Housewives thanks to its high fashion and even higher drama.

The Gilded Age season 3 continues the story of the socialites living the high life in the New York City of yore. After the fallout from the Opera War, the influential families continue vying for power and influence in an ever-changing world.

Though it’s historical fiction, The Gilded Age reminds us that people in that era weren’t so different from us. They’re all trying to figure out where they fit in an ever-changing world. — Sarabeth Pollock

Ironheart (June 24, Disney Plus)

The Ironheart trailer may not be getting a lot of love over on YouTube (for reasons I won't comment on), but it’s a series on my radar this summer. Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams was thrilling to watchin her Marvel debut, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She’s the legacy of Tony Stark’s Iron Man, broaching hero status from a completely different perspective for a variety of reasons, which can add a fresh take in the MCU.

Also adding to my excitement is Anthony Ramos starring in the series as The Hood. Ramos has grown to be a bonafide star in Hollywood, having appeared in In the Heights, Hamilton and She’s Gotta Have It. So my interest is piqued in how Ramos will portray the MCU villain. — Terrell Smith

The Bear season 4 (June 25, FX on Hulu)

By the time that The Bear season 4 premieres on Hulu it will have been a year since The Bear season 3, but somehow it’s felt longer as fans of the series have patiently been waiting to find out what the review for the restaurant says and how the personal and work relationships between our favorite group of chefs turn out.

The Bear dances on the line between comedy (I definitely feel there are some genuinely funny moments, most notably from the Fak family) and drama, but one thing remains true that this is one of the best shows on TV and is a must-watch whenever new episodes are available. — Michael Balderston

Smoke (June 27, Apple TV Plus)

As we’ve highlighted a few times on this list already, crime drama fans are going to have some good options to watch this summer. Another example is the new Apple TV Plus series Smoke, which stars Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett as two investigators following in the footsteps of a pair of serial arsonists.

Best-selling author of Shutter Island, Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone, Dennis Lehane created Smoke, so at the minimum I have high hopes for the show’s writing. But Egerton has also quietly churned out consistently enjoyable projects, like Carry-On, Tetris and Black Bird. Can Smoke keep things going? — Michael Balderston

Squid Game season 3 (June 27, Netflix)

Squid Game season 3 will serve as the series’ last, so I’ll be glued to my screen, watching every episode, dubbed and all (don’t judge me for not soldiering through subtitles). I just have to know if Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) has what it takes to dismantle the deadly game.

In Squid Game season 2, the series ended with Seong pinned down and his team of rebels seemingly on their way to meet a deadly end. However, with a whole new rollout of episodes on the way, I have to believe they may find a way to survive. Plus, Seong still has his team on the outside working to find him, so perhaps a last-minute save will be in the works. — Terrell Smith

Nautilus (June 29, AMC)

I’ve never read Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, but I’m very familiar with Disney’s version featuring Kirk Douglas. The Nautilus series was meant to premiere on Disney Plus, but the deal fell through and the series eventually landed at AMC.

Nautilus is the story of Captain Nemo (Shazad Latif) and his futuristic vessel, the Nautilus. He wants revenge against the tyrannical East India Mercantile Company who stole everything from him. As their former prisoner, the East India Mercantile Company wants the Indian Prince back in custody after he not only escapes prison but steals the Nautilus as well.

To be honest, I can’t even begin to imagine how this story will come to life as a series, but I’m very excited to see it. As a science fiction fan, Verne’s story is the cream of the crop and this could be the biggest surprise of the summer. — Sarabeth Pollock

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 (July 17, Paramount Plus)

After a musical episode that tore the house down in season 2, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 is set to up the ante with bigger and bolder adventures. There’s some unfinished business to be addressed in the new season after the crew of the USS Enterprise encountered one of the most feared alien species in the universe: the Gorn.

During a special sneak peek at San Diego Comic Con in 2024, fans were treated to a clip featuring several members of the crew transforming into Vulcans for an important mission. Pike (Anson Mount) is quick to point out that there will be 4.5 Vulcans on the mission, as Ethan Peck’s Spock is half human.

What I love about Strange New Worlds is how it’s a return to the story-of-the-week format as seen in other series in the franchise. As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I love how the show honors canon while charting its own course. — Sarabeth Pollock

Wednesday season 2 (August 6, Netflix)

Wednesday had me eating out its hand (no, not Thing’s) the moment I saw Jenna Ortega doing the now infamous dance. The inaugural season of the series was creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, but best of all, it was entertaining. I completely understand why Ortega earned an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for the role.

I’m expecting good things from Wednesday season 2, as rumor has it (from Netflix), more of the Addams family will be showcased, including Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) who becomes a student along with Wednesday at Nevermore Academy. I suspect it will be must-watch TV (well, streaming) to see the sibling dynamic play out in school, along with how Pugsly adjusts to his new classmates and “power.” Oh, and make way for Grandmama (Joanna Lumley) as she storms the show in season 2. — Terrell Smith

Alien: Earth (August 12, FX)

In space, no one can hear you scream. But on Earth, it’s a whole different matter. With Alien: Earth, for the first time we are getting a TV series based on the legendary sci-fi franchise Alien, and to cap it all out we are switching from the usual space location to our own planet.

Noah Hawley, the Emmy-winning creator of Fargo, is certainly going to bring his own spin to the franchise, but at its heart it seems that we’re also going a number of staples — an unsuspecting crew forced to reckon with one of the most perfect killing machines and, in the mold of Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, a tough female lead (Sydney Chandler). — Michael Balderston

Dexter: Resurrection (TBD, Paramount Plus with Showtime)

At first there was Dexter, the story of the serial killer with a strict moral code. Then came various spinoffs and a prequel, but in Dexter: Resurrection the story continues with Michael C. Hall set to return to the titular role. Following the events of 2021’s Dexter: New Blood, Dexter is back, we think. It’s hard to say because all evidence pointed to his death at the end of New Blood, yet he’s supposedly coming back for more.

Not knowing is part of the allure. These days there is so much information about new shows and there’s not much known about Resurrection at all, aside from the fact that Hall is returning and so are original series stars David Zayas and James Remar. New Blood’s Jack Alcott will once again play Dexter’s son, Harrison.

For now I'm going to do a re-watch of the original series to get ready for the new show. It’s gory, humorous, sentimental and dramatic all rolled into one. I'm eager to see what happens as the franchise continues. — Sarabeth Pollock

Every May in the US, millions of people celebrate the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders during what is now officially called Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Although the momentous occasion was originally championed as a week as far back as 1977 and officially signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, it did not become a month-long celebration until President George H.W. Bush made the proclamation in 1992.

In our efforts to recognize the accomplishments of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, we look to Hollywood. From a BAFTA nominee to some of the most-talked-about projects of the year, we compiled a list of seven performances from Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander leads that we think are worth watching, including some upcoming projects. Keep in mind, this list is compiled of new content that premiered between June 2024 and May 2025.

So without further ado, check out what we came up with.

Mo season 2 (Netflix)

Mo season 2 serves as the final season of a comedy we have nothing but good things to say about. Mo Amer is brilliant in the Netflix show as he tells the story of a Palestinian refugee in the US seeking American citizenship. While the topic at hand is poignant, he manages to add a heightened sense of levity that makes the series a must-watch.

Squid Game season 2 (Netflix)

Squid Game season 2 picks up where the phenomenon of season 1 left off. While the show's inaugural season is still our favorite, season 2 does enough at least to distinguish itself, while leaving us entertained. Setting itself apart wasn't exactly hard to do, as most of the show's original cast didn't survive the games the first go-around, but there are also new games at play that offer a nice twist.

All We Imagine as Light (rent on-demand)

Although a Grand Prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival, "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect score and a BAFTA nominee, All We Imagine as Light likely flew under your radar. It's an Indian indie film about friendship and sisterhood, showing how one friend deals with a faraway spouse while courted by a doctor at the hospital where she works, one deals with a secret romance her parents won't approve of due to differing religions and another processes her recent eviction. The storylines intersecting provide for quite the relatable viewing experience.

Moana 2 (Disney Plus)

Moana 2 serves as the blockbuster sequel to the 2016 hit and achieved quite the cinematic feat when it ranked as the third highest-grossing film of 2024, according to IMDb's Box Office Mojo. It follows up on the adventures of Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho), as she has a new journey to embark on, which reunites her with demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who is on a journey of his own. All in all, their joint adventure makes for great family viewing on Disney Plus.

Laid (Peacock)

Stephanie Hsu has been taking Hollywood by storm with projects such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, Joy Ride and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Well, she's front and center in the hit new series Laid, which has a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on the Australian version of the series, Peacock's Laid follows a single woman who has to retrace the steps of her sex life to warn her former partners that they may be in danger because of her. It's a nuanced plot in a comedy that's worth checking out.

Lilo & Stitch (in theaters May 23)

The animated movie Lilo & Stitch was a hit for Disney back in 2002, and 23 years later, the story of the young Hawaiian girl and the alien from outer space she adopts is back in a live-action adaptation. Premiering Memorial Day weekend, this updated version of Lilo & Stitch offers families a nice alternative to the adventure and thriller blockbusters hitting theaters that same weekend.

Karate Kid: Legends (in theaters May 30)

Over 41 years ago, The Karate Kid franchise fought its way into the fabric of cinema when Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) became a karate champion thanks to instruction from Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). The original has spawned several sequels and even a series, and now Karate Kid: Legends gives another fresh spin on the classic story. While LaRusso is back in the new movie, front and center are Ben Wang as Li Fong and the incomparable Jackie Chan as Mr. Han. This should be a treat considering Chan is arguably the best martial artist/stuntman/filmmaker multi-hyphenate in recent memory.

Hugh Grant's latest movie, Heretic, is now playing everywhere. The psychological thriller is more in line with the actor's late career swing toward more villain roles than the romantic leads that he often played in the 90s and early 2000s. But all through that time Grant has been a favorite for many moviegoers. But how well do you know his career? Put that to the test with this week's edition of Take Two, which poses these questions about Hugh Grant's movie career:

• Which classic Hugh Grant rom-com has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill?
• Which Hugh Grant rom-com is his bigger box office success: Bridget Jones’s Diary or Love Actually?
• True or False: Hugh Grant has been nominated for an Oscar
• Who has directed Hugh Grant in more movies: Richard Curtis or Guy Ritchie?

Play an interactive version of the game below to get an official score on how many you can get right (all you have to do is type in the appropriate answer).

If you enjoyed that, check out more games from What to Watch:

• Take Two: M. Night Shyamalan
• Take Two: Channing Tatum
• Take Two: Winona Ryder
• Take Two: English Remake vs International Original
• Take Two: George Clooney vs Brad Pitt
• Take Two: Andrew Garfield vs Florence Pugh
• Take Two: classic horror movies
• Take Two: best Netflix original series

Check out the official answers, with some additional insight into each, right here.

Which classic Hugh Grant rom-com has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill?

Not only two of Grant's most iconic movies, but two of the most iconic rom-coms of the 90s, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill are remembered fondly by most. But when in terms of the critical reception, Four Weddings and a Funeral is the higher rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes, with a strong 92% "Certified Fresh" score. Notting Hill's score is nothing to be ashamed about though, as that movie is also "Certified Fresh," but just a few points back at 84%. If it's any consolation for fans of Notting Hill, general audiences score the movie better on Rotten Tomatoes.

Which Hugh Grant rom-com is his bigger box office success: Bridget Jones’s Diary or Love Actually

According to IMDb's Box Office Mojo, Bridget Jones's Diary bested the Christmas favorite at the global box office, earning $334 million worldwide to Love Actually's $250 million worldwide. However, Bridget Jones's Diary is not Grant's highest grossing rom-com. That would be Notting Hill, which took in $363 million at the worldwide box office. Though another little feather in the Bridget Jones's Diary hat is that it is the only Hugh Grant movie that we included in the WTW best 100 movies list.

True or False: Hugh Grant has been nominated for an Oscar

This one is false, as Grant has yet to receive an Oscar nomination in his career. He has more success with other awards bodies though. That includes six Golden Globe nominations across movies and TV, including a win for Best Actor in a comedy/musical for Four Weddings and a Funeral; four BAFTA nominations and one win, again for Four Weddings and a Funeral; and two Primetime Emmy nominations. Grant's closest calls with the Oscars likely came for Four Weddings and a Funeral and, more recently, his acclaimed performance in Paddington 2.

Who has directed Hugh Grant in more movies: Richard Curtis or Guy Ritchie?

The answer here is Guy Ritchie, but admittedly this one was a bit of a trick question. Grant has appeared in three movies that Ritchie directed (The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Gentlemen and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) and three movies that Richard Curtis was involved in (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually), but only one of those was directed by Curtis (Love Actually).

The Diplomat season 2 premieres next Thursday, October 31, offering the latest episodes of a fan-favorite Netflix original series to subscribers. That has got us thinking about other classic Netflix originals to the point that we're using that as the jumping-off point for this edition of Take Two. We've have four 50/50 questions for you to answer right here:

• Which season of Bridgerton was the most watched on Netflix: Bridgerton season 1 or Bridgerton season 3?
• Which award-winning Netflix limited series had a higher IMDb score: Baby Reindeer or The Queen’s Gambit?
• Which foreign language Netflix series has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Lupin or Squid Game?
• Which Netflix original won the most Emmys in a single year: Beef season 1 or The Crown season 4?

Play an interactive version of the game below to get an official score on how many you can get right (all you have to do is type in the appropriate answer).

If you enjoyed that, check out more games from What to Watch:

• Take Two: M. Night Shyamalan
• Take Two: Channing Tatum
• Take Two: Winona Ryder
• Take Two: English Remake vs International Original
• Take Two: George Clooney vs Brad Pitt
• Take Two: Andrew Garfield vs Florence Pugh
• Take Two: classic horror movies

Check out the official answers, with some additional insight into each, right here.

Which season of Bridgerton was the most watched on Netflix: Bridgerton season 1 or Bridgerton season 3?

Bridgerton is one of Netflix's most successful shows of all time, with all three of its seasons in Netflix's top 10 of most-watched titles of all time (based on their first 91 days on the streamer). Bridgerton season 2 brings up the number 10 spot, but the other two series came in at no. 4 and no. 6, respectively, with the original Bridgerton season 1 the most-watched in the series. Bridgerton season 1 had 113.3 million views in its first 91 days (translating to 929.3 million hours), while Bridgerton season 3 was watched by 106 million subscribers (846.5 million hours).

Which award-winning Netflix limited series had a higher IMDb score: Baby Reindeer or The Queen’s Gambit?

Both Baby Reindeer and The Queen's Gambit are among Netflix's most acclaimed limited series to date, but which did the fans like more? According to user scores on IMDb, The Queen's Gambit, scoring an 8.5 out of 10, checkmates Baby Reindeer, which received a 7.7 out of 10. The Queen's Gambit is the 193 best TV show of all time per IMDb's user scores.

Which foreign language Netflix series has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Lupin or Squid Game?

Netflix subscribers have embraced some foreign language series, most notably the French crime drama Lupin and the South Korean thriller Squid Game. But who comes out on top when it comes to Rotten Tomatoes scores? Believe it or not, Lupin, with a score of 98% "Fresh," beats Squid Game and its 95% "Fresh" score. What makes this even more impressive is that Lupin is averaging 98% across its three seasons (its lowest scored a 96%). While Squid Game currently only has its one season, the score could increase or decrease depending on how Squid Game season 2 is received.

Which Netflix original won the most Emmys in a single year: Beef season 1 or The Crown season 4?

Netflix has been racking up Emmy awards for years now, including for many of the shows talked about above. But two of the most winningest shows at a single Emmys were Beef season 1, where it competed as an limited/anthology series (Beef season 2 is in the works), and The Crown season 4, which introduced iconic British figures Margaret Thatcher (played by Gillian Anderson) and Princess Diana (portrayed by Emma Corin) to the historical drama. Ultimately The Crown season 4 reigns supreme here, winning 11 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series; Beef was no slouch with eight Emmy wins in its first year.

Squid Game season 2 is coming to Netflix and we finally have an official release date, plus a new teaser has been released. The new 30-second long teaser (below) features the return of Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), the season 1 champion and sole survivor. We see a string of players in the clip but we don't see their faces except for his.

Following the huge success of Squid Game season 1, it's no surprise that fans are desperate to find out what happens in the next installment of Netflix's global phenomenon. And it's not just season 2 we have to look forward to, because it has also been revealed that Squid Game season 3 will air in 2025, which will be the final installment of the series. 

The first season, which launched in September 2021, became a worldwide sensation with over 1.65 billion viewing hours in the first 28 days. It was also the first show ever to have been watched by over 100 million Netflix accounts in that same time frame, making it Netflix's biggest show in the streamer's history.

Series director, writer, and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed the news about season 2's Christmas arrival in an emotional letter to fans. “I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season,” he wrote. “The fierce clash between [Gi-hun and Front Man’s] two worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be brought to you next year.” 

Here's everything we know about Squid Game season 2 so far...

Squid Game season 2 release date

Squid Game season 2 will land on Netflix on Thursday, December 26, 2024. The series will be available to stream worldwide. 

Squid Game season 2 trailer 

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Netflix released a brief Olympics-themed teaser, that shows a seemingly normal race that goes awry... (there's also another teaser above).

Squid Game season 2 first look

Netflix also released a first look at the second season earlier this year, with a short clip showing the only surviving player Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) seemingly going after those responsible for the games.

Take a look below...

Squid Game season 2 plot

At the end of the first season, we learned that the apparently innocent old man Oh Il-Nam (Player 001) was behind the games the whole time, and he didn't actually die during the events of episode 6. He was confronted by sole survivor Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) in the season finale, revealing that he created the games to entertain the bored ultra-rich like himself, where they could bet on which players would survive. It was also revealed that he took part in the games for nostalgia's sake.

Oh Il-Nam dies from his brain tumour, and Seong Gi-hun goes off to board a plane to visit his daughter. However, he spots the same man who recruited him into the games on his way to the airport, and snatches the card away from an unsuspecting citizen about to be coerced into taking part. After dialing the number, he decides not to get on the plane and heads back into the city, presumably to get his revenge on the game's creators.

With that cliffhanger ending, there's definitely room for more drama, and Hwang Dong-hyuk has suggested a second season could focus on Oh Il-Nam's backstory and the early days of the murderous games.

He said: "Oh Il-nam is a man of huge success from nothing. As we see from the phrase ‘the money man’, he is a veiled big shot in the financial industry.

"It seems, however, the way how he yearns for the happy moments of his past shows that he has lost many things including his family and his humanity at the cost of success. If there will be a season two, we might reveal a little more about his past story."

In addition to this, during an interview with People, actor Lee Jung-jae teased: "I have no idea what will happen or the scale of it, but the only thing [director Hwang] did tell me was that Seong Gi-hun is going to be in the show again, and he's going to be playing in the arena again."

Squid Game season 2 cast

So far we know that Lee Jung-Jae, Wi Ha-joon, Gong Yoo and Lee Byung-hun will be reprising their roles from season 1, and there are some new stars who will be taking on the deadly games.

If you need a refresher, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), season 1’s main character, was buried in debt when he received an invitation to the games. With his daughter serving as motivation, Gi-hun chose to participate, and it was at the games that he encountered his old friend and fellow contestant, Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo). Without revealing too much, know that Gi-hun does make it out of the games alive; however, he ends the first season determined to make the people responsible for the cruel competition pay for their “atrocities” against people. Thus, setting up his return in the next chapter. 

Now let’s talk about the new players: Yim Si-wan (Unlocked), Kang Ha-neul (The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure), Park Gyu-young (Sweet Home, Celebrity),  Park Sung-hoon (The Glory), Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations), Kang Ae-sim (Be Melodramatic, Move to Heaven), Lee David (The Fortress), Lee Jin-uk (Sweet Home), Choi Seung-hyun (Tazza: The Hidden), Roh Jae-won (Missing Yoon) and Won Ji-an (D.P.). But you’ll have to wait and find out more about their characters. 

The news was confirmed in a social media teaser that read: "Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo will all be returning for Squid Game Season 2! And #TUDUM just revealed four new actors who will be joining the cast!"

Furthermore, director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who won an Emmy for his work on Season 1, will direct and executive all of Season 2. 

• Best Netflix series
• Best Netflix originals

The powers that be at Netflix are launching a real-life version of Squid Game. Based on the megahit drama series that is Netflix's most-viewed show ever comes the new competition series Squid Game: The Challenge. Squid Game fans that have always deduced they could win the fictional competition if just given the chance will now have the opportunity to prove that. 

Check out Netflix’s official announcement.  

Notably different in Squid Game: The Challenge from its inspiration is the fact that death isn’t looming around as a consequence for failing to win in a competition. We imagine that should take a lot of the pressure off contestants. 

Another difference will be the cash prize amount. In the fictional series, the lone survivor of the game received $45.6 billion won, which today is over $35 million in US currency and almost $30 million in UK currency. While the prize pot is not quite as large in the reality competition, it’s still a sizeable sum of money. According to Variety, the winner of the inaugural season of the new show stands to earn $4.56 million US dollars, which is roughly $3.8 million pounds in the UK. (Think about all the gas you can but with that amount.)

So if the prospect of playing an adult version of games like Red Light, Green Light, Tug of War and of course, the Squid Game, interest you, along with the potential to claim the jackpot, here’s how you can apply to play. 

Currently, Netflix is holding a global casting call that you can apply to by heading over to Squid Game Casting. They are allowing room for 456 players, which will make it the "largest cast in reality TV history." Taking a look at the application form, you must be at least 21 years old and "must be available to take part in the program for up to four weeks currently anticipated to be in early 2023." Do you have what it takes to win Squid Game: The Challenge? 

If you want to see how the first season plays out first, we understand. No word just yet on when the show will premiere, but if you like competition series there are a few other options to watch debuting this summer. For example, both Big Brother and The Challenge: USA premiere in July.

You can also start studying strategy by watching Squid Game season 1 on Netflix.

Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk is creating a satire about the success of his own Netflix series, based on his experiences being thrust into the limelight.

It's a busy time for Hwang Dong-hyuk as fans are eagerly awaiting Squid Game season 2 and he also teased that his next project would "be more violent", so there is lots for fans to look forward to

But he's also tackling a lighter side to his work, after announcing that he is developing a satirical comedy based on Squid Game and how he adapted to suddenly being a global sensation, including having Steven Spielberg tell him that he "wanted to steal [his] brain".

According to Deadline: "Hwang revealed exclusively that he is working on a comedy provisionally titled The Best Show on the Planet, a satire based on his personal experience of forging an overnight global hit."

Not much is known about the project just yet, but he did add in his interview that he's pleased that Squid Game season 1 was such a success because it creates more opportunities for other non-English language films and programs.

He added: "There are untapped parts of the world that don’t speak English and you only have to think of their market size. These are huge, growing populations. 

"Non-English titles can’t reach the level of English titles yet due to a lack of investment, but if the trend continues then I personally think there will come a point when non-English language content goes beyond English language content."

Hwang also opened up to the site about his worries when it came to Squid Game season 2, saying: "Season 1’s success has given me an immense amount of pressure and I am having nightmares about the reception for Season 2 not being so good."

According to Deadline, he has been "formulating ideas and thinking of new games and characters" for season 2 and is "targeting a Halloween 2024 launch", so it's a bit of a wait but we're sure it'll be worth it. 

Meanwhile, fan-favorite Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) will return along with the shadowy Front Man, played by Lee Byung-hun, so that's two characters set to return. But who else might we be seeing?

Squid Game season 1 is available to watch exclusively on Netflix. Season 2 is expected to land in 2024.

Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed more information about his next project.

Fans of the acclaimed Netflix drama might be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Squid Game season 2, but according to Variety Hwang Dong-hyuk has been working on a movie inspired by the book Killing Old People Club by Italian writer and intellectual, Umberto Eco.

Hwang said he's already written a 25-page treatment for the movie — which has the working title K.O. Club — and he has teased it will surely be 'another controversial film' and 'more violent than Squid Game'. He even teased he might have to hide away from old people once the film is released!

Hwang Dong-hyuk also revealed that he's returning home to South Korea to start working on the next season of Squid Game. 

However, that second series likely won't be on our screens for a little while yet, as the director said he hopes to have Squid Game season 2 ready by the end of 2024. 

At the very least, you can take comfort in the fact that there's likely to be plenty more on the way from one of the best Netflix series even after the second series arrives. Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos teased that Squid Game could be getting third and fourth seasons at the start of the year, saying: "The Squid Game universe has just begun."

It's not difficult to see why the streaming giant is backing Hwang Dong-hyuk's work, either. Squid Game continued to smash viewing records for Netflix after it was released. 

More than 142 million households tuned in to the thrilling series in its first four weeks on the platform, and the series still holds the global record for the most-viewed show in a single week (571.76 million hours watched globally). This is significantly more than Bridgerton season 2's new record for the most-viewed English Language series in a single week (251.74 million hours).

Squid Game is available to stream right now exclusively on Netflix. If you were one of the millions who binged Squid Game last year and you want to check out some more Korean shows, head over to our guide detailing all the best Korean dramas on Netflix.

*Warning - spoilers for Squid Game season 1 below*

Squid Game season 2 is officially going ahead, following the huge success of Squid Game season 1, which was watched by a seriously impressive 111 million fans globally.

By the end of the twisted children's games, sole survivor Seong Gi-hun (Player 456) was able to walk away with the cash prize and confronted Oh Il-Nam (Player 001), who was revealed to be the person behind the games the whole time.

In the final scene of season 1, we saw Seong Gi-hun changing his mind about boarding a plane and visiting his daughter, turning back to presumably go and stop the games from happening again. 

Netflix's co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos spoke during the streaming services fourth quarter 2021 earnings interview.

Confirming that season 2 will go ahead, he teased: “Absolutely. The Squid Game universe has just begun."

While we don't have official confirmation of a third and fourth installment, this statement implies we could be seeing a lot more of Squid Game and potentially dive into other characters that featured in the series.

Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk suggested that they might focus on Oh Il-nam, the antagonist of the first season, during season 2. This might give viewers some further insights into his motivations.

He said: "Oh Il-nam is a man of huge success from nothing. As we see from the phrase ‘the money man’, he is a veiled big shot in the financial industry.

"It seems, however, the way how he yearns for the happy moments of his past shows that he has lost many things including his family and his humanity at the cost of success."

We don't currently have any confirmed plot details for season 2, but we'll let you know as soon as they're announced.

Squid Game season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix. 

The awards season keeps rolling along, as the 2022 SAG Award nominations were announced on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The SAG Awards see actors recognizing the work by their peers from the past year across both TV and movies. This year’s batch of nominees are headlined by movies like House of Gucci, The Power of the Dog and Don’t Look Up, while big TV shows like Succession, Squid Game, Ted Lasso and Yellowstone earned nominations.

The SAG Awards are run by SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood’s actor’s union, and have been handing out awards since 1995. Focused specifically on acting, the SAG Awards feature the usual categories for lead and supporting actors/actresses, but they do things a little differently when it comes to their top award. Their Best Picture equivalent is actually Best Cast, recognizing the ensemble performance. The SAG Awards can often be a good indicator at who has an inside track for Oscars down the road.

The 2022 SAG Awards have plans to be back as an in-person event following a virtual ceremony in 2021. As it has in recent years, the awards show will air live on TBS and TNT in the U.S. on Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Some quick facts about this year’s slate of nominees. House of Gucci and The Power of the Dog tied for the most nominations among movies, with three each; however, The Power of the Dog was not nominated for Best Cast. TV’s nominee leaders, meanwhile, were Succession and Ted Lasso with five each. Squid Game became the first foreign-language TV series nominated for the SAG Awards Best Cast prize. Yellowstone earned its first-ever SAG nominations for its fourth season.

One more thing, not listed among this morning’s nominees was Helen Mirren, but it was previously announced that she will be honored during the ceremony with the SAG Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.

Here is the full list of 2022 SAG Award nominees:

2022 SAG Award TV nominees

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Morning Show
Squid Game
Succession
Yellowstone

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
The Great
Hacks
The Kominsky Method
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Murray Bartlett - The White Lotus
Oscar Isaac - Scenes from a Marriage
Michael Keaton - Dopesick
Ewan McGregor - Halston
Evan Peters - Mare of Easttown

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Jennifer Coolidge - The White Lotus
Cynthia Erivo - Genius: Aretha
Margaret Qualley - Maid
Jean Smart - Mare of Easttown
Kate Winslet - Mare of Easttown

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Michael Douglas - The Kominsky Method
Brett Goldstein - Ted Lasso
Steve Martin - Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short - Only Murders in the Building
Jason Sudeikis - Ted Lasso

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Elle Fanning - The Great
Sandra Oh - The Chair
Jean Smart - Hacks
Juno Temple - Ted Lasso
Hannah Waddingham - Ted Lasso

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Brian Cox - Succession
Billy Crudup - The Morning Show
Kieran Culkin - Succession
Lee Jung-jae - Squid Game
Jeremy Strong - Succession

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston - The Morning Show
Jung Ho-yeon - Squid Game
Elisabeth Moss - The Handmaid’s Tale
Sarah Snook - Succession
Reese Witherspoon - The Morning Show

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series
Cobra Kai
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Loki
Mare of Easttown
Squid Game 

2022 SAG Award movie nominations

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Belfast
CODA
Don’t Look Up
House of Gucci
King Richard

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Caitriona Balfe - Belfast
Cate Blanchett - Nightmare Alley
Ariana DeBose - West Side Story
Kirsten Dunst - The Power of the Dog
Ruth Negga - Passing

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Ben Affleck - The Tender Bar
Bradley Cooper - Licorice Pizza
Troy Kotsur - CODA
Jared Leto - House of Gucci
Kodi Smit-McPhee - The Power of the Dog

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Olivia Colman - The Lost Daughter
Lady Gaga - House of Gucci
Jennifer Hudson - Respect
Nicole Kidman - Being the Ricardos

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Javier Bardem - Being the Ricardos
Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog
Andrew Garfield - Tick, Tick … Boom!
Will Smith - King Richard
Denzel Washington - The Tragedy of Macbeth

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Black Widow
Dune
The Matrix: Resurrections
No Time to Die
Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The Golden Globes are going to be a bit lackluster this year. Following a bombshell article that revealed corruption and a striking lack of diversity as part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs the Golden Globes, the second-biggest TV and movie awards show has found itself in hot water. NBC has canceled its annual broadcast of the awards for 2022 as a result and the usually boisterous party the Globes are known for will be a small in-person gathering without celebrities/nominees or even press to cover the event. It is unclear at this time if the ceremony will be shared in any way online.

Despite the mess that is going on with the organization, they did release their list of nominees for the best movie and TV shows of 2021. No matter what’s going on with the awards body itself, these movies and TV shows deserve their recognition. You, as viewers, also deserve to know exactly how you can watch all of them, and that’s what we’re here to do.

Here is where you’ll be able to watch all of the movies and TV shows nominated for Golden Globes this year, plus the awards that they have been nominated for.

Golden Globe nominees: Movies

Annette
Nominations: Best Actress, Comedy/Musical - Marion Cotillard
How to watch: Annette is currently streaming on Prime Video

Being the Ricardos
Nominations: Best Actress, Comedy/Musical - Nicole Kidman; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical - Javier Bardem; Best Screenplay
How to watch: Being the Ricardos is currently playing in select theaters and is streaming on Prime Video

Belfast
Nominations: Best Picture, Drama; Best Supporting Actress - Caitriona Balfe; Best Supporting Actor - Jamie Dornan; Best Supporting Actor - Ciarán Hinds; Best Director - Kenneth Branagh; Best Screenplay; Best Original Song
How to watch: Belfast is currently playing in select theaters and is available to rent digitally for $19.99

CODA
Nominations: Best Picture, Comedy/Musical; Best Supporting Actor - Troy Kotsur
How to watch: CODA is available to stream via Apple TV Plus

Compartment No. 6
Nominations: Best Picture, Non-English Language
How to watch: Compartment No. 6 will open in select U.S. theaters on Jan. 26

Cruella
Nominations: Best Actress, Comedy/Musical - Emma Stone
How to watch: Cruella is currently streaming on Disney Plus and is available to rent digitally starting at $5.99

Cyrano
Nominations: Best Picture, Comedy/Musical; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical - Peter Dinklage
How to watch: Cyrano is currently playing in select theaters in the U.S. It will open in the U.K. on Jan. 14 and will get a wider release in the U.S. on Jan. 28.

Don’t Look Up
Nominations: Best Picture, Comedy/Musical; Best Actress, Comedy/Musical - Jennifer Lawrence; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical - Leonardo DiCaprio; Best Screenplay
How to watch: Don’t Look Up is currently playing in select theaters and is streaming on Netflix

Drive My Car
Nominations: Best Picture, Non-English Language
How to watch: Drive My Car is currently playing in select theaters

Dune
Nominations: Best Picture, Drama; Best Director - Denis Villeneuve; Best Score
How to watch: Dune is currently playing in select theaters and is available to rent digitally starting at $24.99; it will be available on DVD starting Jan. 11

Encanto
Nominations: Best Picture, Animated; Best Score; Best Original Song
How to watch: Encanto is currently playing in theaters and is streaming on Disney Plus

The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama - Jessica Chastain
How to watch: The Eyes of Tammy Faye is currently available to stream on HBO Max and Hulu (premium subscription) or rent digitally starting at $3.99

Flee
Nominations: Best Picture, Animated
How to watch: Flee is now playing in select theaters.

The French Dispatch
Nominations: Best Score
How to watch: The French Dispatch is playing in select theaters and is available to rent digitally starting at $5.99 or buy on Blu-ray/DVD

The Hand of God
Nominations: Best Picture, Non-English Language
How to watch: The Hand of God is currently streaming on Netflix

A Hero
Nominations: Best Picture, Non-English Language
How to watch: A Hero is releasing in select theaters on Jan. 7 and will be available to stream on Prime Video on Jan. 21

House of Gucci
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama - Lady Gaga
How to watch: House of Gucci is currently playing exclusively in theaters

In the Heights
Nominations: Best Actor, Comedy/Musical - Anthony Ramos
How to watch: In the Heights is available to stream on HBO Max and Hulu (premium subscription), is available to rent digitally starting at $9.99 or buy on Blu-ray/DVD

King Richard
Nominations: Best Picture, Drama; Best Actor, Drama - Will Smith; Best Supporting Actress - Aunjanue Ellis; Best Original Song
How to watch: King Richard is now available to rent digitally starting at $19.99

Licorice Pizza
Nominations: Best Picture, Comedy/Musical; Best Actress, Comedy/Musical - Alana Haim; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical - Cooper Hoffman; Best Screenplay
How to watch: Licorice Pizza is currently playing exclusively in movie theaters

The Lost Daughter
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama - Olivia Colman; Best Director - Maggie Gyllenhaal
How to watch: The Lost Daughter is playing in select theaters and is streaming on Netflix

Luca
Nominations: Best Picture, Animated
How to watch: Luca is streaming on Disney Plus and is available to rent digitally starting at $9.99 or buy on Blu-ray/DVD

My Sunny Maad
Nominations: Best Picture, Animated
How to watch: My Sunny Maad is not readily available to watch at this time

No Time to Die
Nominations: Best Original Song
How to watch: No Time to Die is still playing in select theaters, is available to rent digitally starting at $5.99 or buy on Blu-ray/DVD

Parallel Mothers
Nominations: Best Picture, Non-English Language; Best Score
How to watch: Parallel Mothers is playing in select movie theaters and is expanding to more on Jan. 7 and will release in the U.K. on Jan. 28

Passing
Nominations: Best Supporting Actress - Ruth Negga
How to watch: Passing is streaming exclusively on Netflix

The Power of the Dog
Nominations: Best Picture, Drama; Best Actor, Drama - Benedict Cumberbatch; Best Supporting Actress - Kirsten Dunst; Best Supporting Actor - Kodi Smit-McPhee; Best Director - Jane Campion; Best Screenplay; Best Score
How to watch: The Power of the Dog is playing in select theaters and streaming on Netflix

Raya and the Last Dragon
Nominations: Best Picture, Animated
How to watch: Raya and the Last Dragon is streaming on Disney Plus, is available to rent digitally starting at $3.99 or buy on Blu-ray/DVD

Respect
Nominations: Best Original Song
How to watch: Respect is available to rent digitally starting at $2.99 or buy on Blu-ray/DVD

Spencer
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama - Kristen Stewart
How to watch: Spencer is playing in select theaters and is available to rent digitally starting at $3.99; Blu-ray/DVD will be available starting Jan. 11

Swan Song
Nominations: Best Actor, Drama - Mahershala Ali
How to watch: Swan Song is currently streaming on Apple TV Plus

The Tender Bar
Nominations: Best Supporting Actor - Ben Affleck
How to watch: The Tender Bar is playing in select theaters and will debut on Prime Video Jan. 7

tick, tick … BOOM!
Nominations: Best Picture, Comedy/Musical; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical - Andrew Garfield
How to watch: tick, tick … BOOM! is streaming on Netflix

The Tragedy of Macbeth
Nominations: Best Actor, Drama - Denzel Washington
How to watch: The Tragedy of Macbeth is playing in select theaters and will debut for streaming on Apple TV Plus Jan. 14

West Side Story
Nominations: Best Picture, Comedy/Musical; Best Actress, Comedy/Musical - Rachel Zegler; Best Supporting Actress - Ariana DeBose; Best Director - Steven Spielberg
How to watch: West Side Story is currently playing exclusively in movie theaters

Golden Globe nominees: TV

Black-ish
Nominations: Best Actress, Comedy/Musical Series - Tracee Ellis Ross; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical Series - Anthony Anderson
How to watch: Black-ish is available to stream on Hulu and ABC.com; the new (and final) season of Black-ish is currently airing on ABC

Dopesick
Nominations: Best TV Motion Picture; Best Actor, TV Motion Picture - Michael Keaton; Best Supporting Actress, TV - Kaitlyn Dever
How to watch: Dopesick is streaming exclusively on Hulu

Genius: Aretha
Nominations: Best Actress, TV Motion Picture - Cynthia Erivo
How to watch: Genius: Aretha can be watched via National Geographic or streamed on Hulu

The Good Fight
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama Series - Christine Baranski
How to watch: The Good Fight streams exclusively on Paramount Plus

The Great
Nominations: Best Comedy/Musical Series; Best Actress, Comedy/Musical Series - Elle Fanning; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical Series - Nicholas Hoult
How to watch: The Great streams exclusively on Hulu

Hacks
Nominations: Best Comedy/Musical Series; Best Actress, Comedy/Musical Series - Hannah Einbinder; Best Actress, Comedy/Musical Series - Jean Smart
How to watch: Hacks streams exclusively on HBO Max

Halston
Nominations: Best Actor, TV Motion Picture - Ewan McGregor
How to watch: Halston streams exclusively on Netflix

The Handmaid’s Tale
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama Series - Elisabeth Moss
How to watch: The Handmaid’s Tale streams exclusively on Hulu

Impeachment: American Crime Story
Nominations: Best TV Motion Picture
How to watch: Impeachment: American Crime Story can be watched on ABC.com

Insecure
Nominations: Best Actress, Comedy/Musical - Issa Rae
How to watch: Insecure can be streamed on HBO Max

In Treatment
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama Series - Uzo Aduba
How to watch: In Treatment can be streamed on HBO Max

Lupin
Nominations: Best Drama Series; Best Actor, Drama Series - Omar Sy
How to watch: Lupin streams exclusively on Netflix

Maid
Nominations: Best TV Motion Picture; Best Actress, TV Motion Picture- Margaret Qualley; Best Supporting Actress, TV - Andie MacDowell
How to watch: Maid is streaming exclusively on Netflix

Mare of Easttown
Nominations: Best TV Motion Picture; Best Actress, TV Motion Picture - Kate Winslet
How to watch: Mare of Easttown is streaming on HBO Max

The Morning Show
Nominations: Best Actress, Drama Series - Jennifer Aniston; Best Supporting Actor, TV - Billy Crudup; Best Supporting Actor, TV - Mark Duplass
How to watch: The Morning Show is streaming exclusively on Apple TV Plus

Only Murders in the Building
Nominations: Best Comedy/Musical Series; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical Series - Steve Martin; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical Series - Martin Short
How to watch: Only Murders in the Building is streaming on Hulu

Pose
Nominations: Best Drama Series; Best Actress, Drama Series - Michaela Jaé Rodriguez; Best Actor, Drama Series - Billy Porter
How to watch: Pose is streaming on Netflix

Reservation Dogs
Nominations: Best Comedy/Musical Series
How to watch: Reservation Dogs is streaming on Hulu

Scenes from a Marriage
Nominations: Best Actress, TV Motion Picture - Jessica Chastain; Best Actor, TV Motion Picture - Oscar Isaac
How to watch: Scenes from a Marriage is streaming on HBO Max

The Serpent
Nominations: Best Actor, TV Motion Picture - Tahar Rahim
How to watch: The Serpent is streaming on Netflix

Squid Game
Nominations: Best Drama Series; Best Actor, Drama Series - Lee Jung Jae; Best Supporting Actor, TV - O Yeong-su
How to watch: Squid Game is streaming exclusively on Netflix

Succession
Nominations: Best Drama Series; Best Actor, Drama Series - Brian Cox; Best Actor, Drama Series - Jeremy Strong; Best Supporting Actress, TV - Sarah Snook; Best Supporting Actor, TV - Kieran Culkin
How to watch: Succession is streaming on HBO Max

Ted Lasso
Nominations: Best Comedy/Musical Series; Best Actor, Comedy/Musical - Jason Sudeikis; Best Supporting Actress, TV - Hannah Waddingham; Best Supporting Actor, TV - Brett Goldstein
How to watch: Ted Lasso streams exclusively on Apple TV Plus

The Underground Railroad
Nominations: Best TV Motion Picture
How to watch: The Underground Railroad streams exclusively on Prime Video

WandaVision
Nominations: Best Actress, TV Motion Picture - Elizabeth Olsen; Best Actor, TV Motion Picture - Paul Bettany
How to watch: WandaVision streams exclusively on Disney Plus

The White Lotus
Nominations: Best Supporting Actress, TV - Jennifer Coolidge
How to watch: The White Lotus is streaming on HBO Max

We’ve all watched a lot of TV over the last year (thanks pandemic), but what U.S. TV Shows drew the most eyeballs in 2021? Was it one of your favorites? Variety has culled together the top 100 most-watched TV programs of 2021 from Nielsen’s TV ratings, and we’re going to break it down for you to let you know what were the most popular TV shows of 2021.

Just to clarify, we are just sticking with your traditional TV shows here, because if we were being technical the most-watched TV programs of the year by far would be sports, specifically the NFL; as has been the case for a while. Super Bowl LV in February between Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, which aired on CBS, was by far the most-watched program on the year, drawing in 92.877 million viewers; the next closest (the NFL’s AFC Championship game) was less than half of that at 42.501 million. The NFL took the first seven most-watched spots and 13 of the top 15. Other sports highlights included the College Football playoffs, the Summer Olympics and the NCAA men’s basketball championship game.

But enough about sports, below are the most-viewed shows of the year according to Nielsen (it was a good year for CBS):

The Equalizer (CBS)

With its series premiere airing immediately after the Super Bowl in February, the Queen Latifah-led TV series The Equalizer had the largest viewership for a non-sporting event of 2021, with 23.757 million viewers, good enough for eighth overall. The series wasn’t just a one-hit wonder, though, as three other episodes made the top 100 most-watched shows of the year, though audiences for those dropped into the 11 million-plus viewers. 

Oprah With Megan & Harry (CBS)

TV viewers in the U.S. and the U.K. were tuned in for when Oprah Winfrey sat down with Megan Markle and Prince Harry in an exclusive interview to discuss their leaving of the British royal family. The viewing audience in the U.S. was 21.764 million viewers and also made it in the top 10 of programs for the year. 

60 Minutes (CBS)

The long-standing news program has been heralded for its investigation and presentations of many of the important stories facing the U.S., both widely known and lesser known, and it still is able to draw viewers in as well. Five episodes of 60 Minutes made the top 100, with their most viewed airing being an interview with Nancy Pelosi following Jan. 6, with 15.73 million viewers watching.  

NCIS (CBS)

The Equalizer premiere may have been the biggest TV show of the year, but NCIS was the most consistently popular. Season 18 and parts of season 19 aired during 2021, with 17 of those episodes cracking the top 100 most-watched programs of the year. The largest viewing audience for NCIS was for season 18 episode 9, “Winter Chill,” which had 13.138 million viewers. Along with two other episodes from season 18 (“The First Day” and “Gut Punch”), NCIS had three episodes land in the top 50. 

Adele One Night Only (CBS)

CBS hit it big again with another special featuring a well-known British figure, as its TV concert and interview Adele One Night Only had 12.036 million people tune in. The special concert featured Adele singing a few songs from her latest album, 30, right around the time of its release, as well as sitting down with Oprah to talk about the latest in her life. 

FBI (CBS)

The final jewel in CBS’ 2021 crown of most-watched programs was the crime procedural FBI. The third season of FBI, all of which aired in the first half of 2021, saw seven of its episodes viewed by more than 11 million viewers, with the largest tuning in for the episode “Crazy Love” (11.569 million viewers to be exact). 

Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime (NBC) 

Law & Order has been one of NBC’s flagship franchises since the 1990s, with Law & Order: SVU carrying the torch in recent years. A special event and the premiere of a new Law & Order franchise helped it crack the top 100 list for 2021. A crossover event between SVU and the new Law & Order: Organized Crime saw the return of Christopher Meloni’s Det. Elliot Stabler to SVU, which drew 11.533 million viewers. That then immediately led into the series premiere of Organized Crime, with Meloni leading the new series, for which 11.408 people watched. 

Yellowstone (Paramount Network)

Yellowstone is the only cable network show that managed to make it into the top 100 most-watched TV shows of 2021, and it did it twice. The season 4 episodes “Under a Blanket of Red” and “Phantom Pain” drew 11.379 million and 11.238 million viewers, respectively. The western drama has a massive audience, which is also being proven with its prequel series 1883, which has been breaking records for the Paramount Plus streaming service. 

Squid Game

Squid Game is not actually included in Nielsen’s top 100 most-watched list as it deals strictly with traditional broadcast programs. However, a list of the most popular shows of 2021 cannot be complete without a mention of the Netflix original series from Korea that took the world by storm. Premiering in September, Squid Game set a Netflix record with 1.65 billion hours of viewing in its first 28 days. A second season of Squid Game is reportedly in the works, and the creator is already even talking about a third season.  

Here are the shows we've loved watching in 2021. You might disagree with our picks! But, we hope our personal best TV shows rundown will make you think, “Hey, I need to watch that!”

Obviously, we’ve not seen everything and this is very much our own view. These might not all be critically-acclaimed shows, but they’re the ones we have a passion for as a team.

We’ve asked all our writers to name their top shows of the year and to make their case for why you need to watch that series. Here they are… we hope it gives you some ideas on what to watch next.

'It's a Sin'

Three gay teenage lads from around the UK begin new lives in London at the start of the 1980s, hoping they can find friendship and love, plus party hard and of course get their rocks off! But this is no ordinary coming-of-age story as it happens during the unfolding AIDS crisis. 

This beautifully crafted drama plays out in five episodes over 10 years. It’s written by the brilliant Russell T. Davies and boasts top names among the cast such as Keeley Hawes, Neil Patrick Harris, and Stephen Fry. 

It's a Sin kicks off in 1981 as wannabe actor Ritchie (Years and Years singer Olly Alexander, who has won awards galore for the role), party boy Roscoe (Omari Douglas), and shy Welsh Savile Row apprentice Colin (Callum Scott Howells) end up sharing a London pad together with another friend Jill (Lydia West).

But the lads’ joyful journey of self-discovery is soon marred when news of a mystery illness hits the headlines — a deadly virus called AIDS that will cast a devastating shadow over all their lives. If there was ever a drama that’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure, then this is it!  

The show’s 1980s soundtrack is great for nostalgia too, with the likes of Soft Cell, OMD, and Teardrop Explodes playing through scenes as well as the iconic Pet Shop Boys’ title track. - Nicholas Cannon

'Death in Paradise'

Need cheering up? Watch Death in Paradise! From the moment the ridiculously upbeat opening theme tune kicks off, you’re thrown into a different world of endless sunshine and Agatha Christie-style murder cases. Thankfully for DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) he only ever seems to have to cope with investigating five suspects — phew, otherwise this crime-solving lark might cut into the time the gang spends together at Catherine’s Bar! 

To celebrate 10 glorious years, the show was given a special extended anniversary episode which was a real treat for fans as original star Ben Miller made a ghostly reappearance as DI Richard Poole. And, in a festive bonus, there’s also the first-ever Death in Paradise Christmas special to look forward to and, just around the corner, is Death in Paradise season 11! 

Oh, and we mustn’t forget how much we love Don Warrington, the only actor to have remained in the show throughout, as the grumpy and loveable Commissioner. - David Hollingsworth

'Squid Game'

After being watched by a whopping 111 million fans globally, Squid Game must have something going for it! This nine-part series centres around a series of deadly games, where desperate members of the public compete to win a massive amount of money, 45.6 billion won ($45 billion) to be exact. 

Lead character Seong Gi-hun (Jung-jae Lee) is a man who is riddled with debt and constantly on the run from loan sharks, as he struggles to provide for his daughter and his mother. After he's approached by a stranger at the train station, he's convinced to join these games and becomes the 456th and final participant, where he meets with others in similarly desperate positions. 

Of course, these people were lured in thinking the games would be simple, but it soon becomes apparent their lives are in danger and they're playing for much more than the jackpot. With some gory moments and heartbreaking losses, this series is an intense watch, but audiences everywhere have been raving about it.

There's good news too because the series has been so successful that creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that Squid Game season 2 will go ahead. We're already excited to see what happens next! - Lucy Buglass

'What We Do In The Shadows'

What We Do In The Shadows season 3 is a truly ridiculous sitcom centered on a gang of vampires trying to navigate modern life in New York City. It also just so happens to be one of the best comedies on TV, and the third season proved there's plenty more life left in its ensemble cast.

Despite being a fairly inept group of ghouls, the third season saw Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Laszlo (Matt Berry), and energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) elevated to a higher power after season two’s shock finale, with vampire-slayer Guillermo (Harvey Guillen) now acting as their fearsome bodyguard.

Nadja and Nandor are vying for power as the true leader of the Vampiric Council, and now the wider supernatural world (begrudgingly) has to pay them more respect. This — plus important side-stories like Nandor’s quest for love and Colin’s quest to learn his origins — offered up lots more ridiculous scenarios for the group to try and muddle through and presented plenty of opportunities to develop our understanding of every character in the show.

What We Do In The Shadows is still delightfully silly, but the jokes are perfectly balanced with an even stronger sense of heart. Roll on series 4! - Martin Shore

'And Just Like That...'

It's been nearly two decades since we last saw newspaper columnist Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), no-nonsense lawyer Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and prim-and-proper Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) navigating their way through friendships and relationships as 30 something singletons. Now, they're back for a 10-episode sequel to the Emmy-winning American comedy-drama, And Just Like That…

The Sex and the City reboot sees Carrie and friends now trying to figure out life in their 50s, with all that marriage, jobs, and raising older children entails. Carrie now has a podcast instead of a newspaper column, Miranda is heading back to college after quitting her high-powered job in law, and Charlotte is a proud mum to two teenage girls. The new series brings shocks, laughs, huge twists, and a massive helping of nostalgia — definitely not one to be missed. - Claire Crick

'WandaVision'

The first of the Marvel shows to hit Disney Plus, WandaVision is a masterclass in misdirection (as well as set design, costume design, plotting, humor and acting...!). To say the show takes viewers on a journey is an understatement. 

Starting, seemingly, as a retro comedy spin-off — in which Marvel's favorite couple Wanda and Vision, are magically reunited in a 1950s suburban bubble (remember, Vision dies in Avengers: Infinity War — not just once, but twice), there's also a witchy fantasy strand (which we’ll see play out further in the wonderful Kathryn Hahn's Agatha Harkness spin-off), a Marvel/S.W.O.R.D. action thread and, underpinning it all, a dramatic study of the power of grief. In less capable hands and with less capable performers this tone switching wouldn't work. Here, it's seamless and utterly compelling.

Each episode is visually and narratively styled as a different period of TV sitcoms — from the opening episode's black & white whimsical, 1950s pastiche of frocks and pratfalls (a la I Love Lucy), the I Dream of Jeannie 60s aesthetic, 70s psychedelia and "modernized" families (The Brady Bunch) through the big-haired, loud colors of the vibrant 80s (Family Ties, Married... with Children), the 90s Roseanne dramedy stylings and finally through to the 2000s where we flit from one trope to another as Wanda gradually loses her grip on the spell she's been weaving for herself — WandaVision gets progressively darker, richer and more interesting with each episode. - Louise Okafor

'Vienna Blood'

Vienna Blood is that rare thing on television, a little-known gem. The series quietly snuck onto our screens two years ago, and now Vienna Blood season 2 has arrived — and it’s even better. 

The addictive crime thriller follows young Max Liebermann, a brilliant student of Freud, and grizzled cop Detective Oskar Rheinhardt, as they crack cases in early 20th century Vienna. 

The enchanting city is the perfect setting, but the wonderful partnership between the two leads — Matthew Beard as Max and Juergen Maurer as Oskar — really makes the show. Like many of the great TV crime-solving partnerships, they seem inseparable while driving each other crazy!. 

Vienna Blood has many similarities to Sherlock, not least the fact it’s been adapted by Sherlock screenwriter Steve Thompson. Dare we say it? OK, if you insist, Vienna Blood is superior! - David Hollingsworth

'Succession'

After winning a host of Emmys, BAFTAs and Golden Globes in 2020, the hype surrounding Succession season 3 was enormous. Yet the latest installment of Jesse Armstrong’s drama delivered a tour de force that somehow managed to exceed our expectations. 

Part Game of Thrones, part Peep Show — which Armstrong also wrote — Succession has already blazed a trail as a show unlike any other and this year’s offering only confirmed how unique it is. No other drama can deliver breathtaking plot twists one moment, before serving up one-liners to leave us choking on our TV snacks the next. Indeed if 2021 saw a more beautifully crafted gag than Roman Roy’s errant dick-pic, we’d very much like to see it.

It's a shame because Roman had been rising in his father’s estimations until that moment, yet his riveting dalliance with Geri ultimately proved his undoing as he was cast back down with his grasping siblings. Such is life on the slippery ladder of Waystar Royco.  

There are many reasons to love this show, but any scene shared by Kendall, Roman and Shiv is always a joy to behold and the cathartic meeting they shared in the Tuscan parking lot, during the season finale, felt like one of the finest moments the series has ever produced. 

If the Roy kids spent as much time working on the company as they did aiming razor-sharp barbs at each other, then maybe they’d be ready to lead, but the series would undoubtedly be poorer for it. After stabbing each other in the back so many times, what a cruel twist of fate to see them go down in flames together in a devastating finale. 

Yet this year’s third season undoubtedly belonged to Matthew MacFayden, whose character, Tom Wambsgans, finally stepped out of his wife Shiv’s shadow in a jaw-dropping finale. The feverishly-anticipated fourth installment surely can’t live up to this… can it? - Sean Marland.

'Only Murders in the Building'

The murder-mystery genre is a classic and we viewers were spoiled with a number of selections for it this year, like the aforementioned new seasons Death in Paradise, Vienna Blood, as well as the HBO limited series Mare of Easttown. But new to the scene and offering its own hilarious comedic spin was the Hulu original series Only Murders in the Building.

The fantastic comedic duo of Steve Martin and Martin Short add Selena Gomez to their ranks for an awesome trio of amateur sleuths who use their shared affinity for true-crime podcasts to investigate and document a mysterious murder in their own New York apartment building. Among their list of suspects and allies were some great supporting characters that include Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane, Aaron Dominguez, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Tina Fey and even Sting. What series creators Martin and John Hoffman were not only able to create a funny commentary on true-crime content but a fully twisty and enthralling entry into the genre as well.

Don't worry, I won't give anything away here, but I'll just say that the cliffhanger that the season 1 left on has me ready to break out my own clue board and consume nothing but dip as I try to piece together where Only Murders in the Building season 2 may go. - Michael Balderston

'Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy'

While a silver lining of the last nearly two years has been the amount of time I've had to discover or catch up on TV shows and movies, I have definitely missed the chances to easily travel. That is probably why I enjoyed Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy so much, as I got to scratch both interests in one.

In the CNN original docuseries, which is now streaming on HBO Max, actor Stanley Tucci explores the food that defines Italy and the culture behind it. Going region by region, Tucci has explored Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Bologna, Milan, Tuscany and Sicily, with more on the way as Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy season 2 is in the works.

Beyond the mouth-watering pizza, pasta and other dishes being discussed, what separates the show from other food-centric shows is the history and personal touches that Tucci adds. Each episode provides key historical context to the regions they explore as well as the importance of the food and its production to the culture. Then, coming from an Italian family himself, Tucci shares his own experience in the kitchen and memories of these dishes to viewers.

Watching Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy certainly made me hungry and craving Italian food, but it was also an alternative form of travel in a time when that was not possible. - Michael Balderston

'Money Heist: Part 5'

The huge Spanish Netflix hit Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) was watched by audiences globally upon its release, with part five being watched by 69 million people across the world!

Money Heist part 5 saw criminal mastermind The Professor (Álvaro Morte) and his recruits continue to pull off another huge heist— stealing 90 tons of gold from the Bank of Spain. But, as we get to know the gang and discover more about their personal lives, we can’t help but hope that the baddies will succeed in their mission.

This series has had viewers hooked as we all experience the love, heartbreak, and terror just the same as the thieves endure throughout the show and it even had audiences shedding a few tears for their favorite characters.

Recently, it was announced that they are doing a Korean remake of the popular series, which will feature Squid Game star Park Hae-soo. In addition, they have also confirmed a spin-off series for popular character Berlin (Pedro Alonso).- Grace Morris

'Baptiste' season 2

Tchéky Karyo reprises his role from the hit series The Missing as detective Julien Baptiste. In Baptiste season 2, he travels to Hungary to help British Ambassador Emma Chambers (Fiona Shaw) find her family who have mysteriously disappeared. 

But, they soon become embroiled in something far deeper than they could have ever imagined. Full of twists and turns, this series leaves you unsettled until the very end. Although some classic detective stories may seem stereotypical, this one particularly stands out for its unpredictable and enthralling plot.

Through the two timelines, viewers get the opportunity to slowly connect the pieces of the heart-stopping case and helps give the gripping whodunit a refreshing touch, while also unearthing the personal traumas both Baptiste and Emma have suffered during their lives.

One of the best BBC dramas in a long time.- Grace Morris

'Ted Lasso'

Jason Sudeikis' Ted Lasso follows the fictional English Premier League team AFC Richmond. The club's in serious trouble and at the centre of a media scandal following the former owner's love life. In an attempt to spite him, new owner Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) brings in Ted Lasso (Sudeikis) an American college football coach in an attempt to completely ruin the club and spite her ex-husband Rupert (Anthony Head), who broke her heart.

The series is a perfect blend of comedy and drama, and as it progresses, we get to learn more about each of the characters on an intimate level. The very quirky, very American Ted stands out like a sore thumb amongst English fans and colleagues, and it takes a long time for him to earn anyone's trust. On top of this, everyone's dealing with their own deep-rooted issues that threaten the future of AFC Richmond.

In just a few episodes, you'll no doubt find yourself rooting for this failing football club and those who hold it dear, even if you have no interest in the game yourself. It's the kind of series where you'll be laughing one minute, and crying the next. And if you are a passionate football fan, you'll love some of the real-life cameos! - Lucy Buglass 

'Landscapers'

Landscapers is an unorthodox true-crime miniseries that tells the story of Susan and Christopher Edwards. Susan and Christopher are a real couple who became the focus of an extraordinary police investigation after the bodies of William and Patricia Wycherley — Susan’s parents — were discovered buried in their back garden in Mansfield in Nottingham.

What writer Ed Sinclair and director Will Sharpe achieve with this tragic source material is nothing short of extraordinary. Susan (Olivia Colman) is a devotee of classic Hollywood and Western movies and she conjures up a fantasy land in which she recasts herself and Christopher (David Thewlis) as Hollywood heroes and are protected from their own guilt and troubles.

As the investigation progress, this fantasy world bleeds into reality, giving rise to fourth-wall breaks, layered narratives, flashbacks, and even the odd moment of black comedy as the show plays with everything you’d expect from any other British crime drama. All this creativity is matched by phenomenal performances across the board; basically, I haven't watched a more dynamic and visually arresting show all year.

Landscapers will definitely not be for everyone, but if you do click with it, it’s a surreal thrill ride that you’ll be hooked on from start to finish. - Martin Shore 

'This Way Up'

Aisling Bea's pitch-black comedy about mental health, loneliness, family, and friendships —This Way Up — returned for a second series in 2021 and was just as uncomfortable and piercingly honest as the first. 

Creator and writer, Aisling Bea, plays Aine, a twenty-something Irish girl who's recovering from a "teensy little nervous breakdown". This season she seems like she's in a much better place — there's her romance with awkward, ex-employer Richard (The Crown's Tobias Menzies), work is going well and she's back on good terms with her housemate, Bradley (Kadiff Kirwan). In fact, it's sister Shona (Sharon Horgan) who seems on shakier ground — recently engaged to long-term beau Vish (Aasif Mandvi) but there's a small matter of an illicit, passionate kiss with business partner Charlotte (Indira Varma, Game of Thrones) that she's studiously ignoring. 

Needless to say, despite the promising start Aine's journey hits a few speed bumps — often self-inflicted — but you're willing her to make it. The strong, loving bond between the two sisters is the heart of the show and it brings warmth and humor to a difficult subject. Always watchable. - Louise Okafor

'The Pact' 

If you’re looking for a gripping thriller with twists and turns right to the very end, then The Pact is for you. The six-part drama follows a group of friends who all work together at a brewery, but as well as being a close-knit gang, they also all share one thing in common — working with a boss-from-hell called Jack, played by Aneurin Barnard. However, things take a sinister turn for the group when a drunken prank goes horribly wrong after an office party, resulting in their arrogant boss winding up dead in the middle of some woods.

Soon the group of women find themselves covering dark secrets, while their personal lives are dug up by the police. Meanwhile, Jack's father, Arwel, played by Ray Donovan star Eddie Marsan, returns to the brewery following his son's death, and soon a horrific family legacy is unraveled. The crime thriller boasts a whole host of familiar faces in the cast, including Breaking Bad star Laura Fraser taking center stage as Anna, alongside Julie Hesmondhalgh as Nancy (Broadchurch, Coronation Street) and Abbie Hern as Tish (The Twilight Zone). - Claire Crick

Who’s ready for Squid Game season 2, or perhaps more appropriately, round 2? The original series from South Korea has become one of Netflix’s biggest hits ever, having been watched by 142 million households across the globe since mid October (so probably even more by now).

In a video from the Associated Press from a red carpet event, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk said that there definitely will be a second season of Squid Game.

“So there’s been so much pressure, so much demand and so much love for a second season,” Dong-Hyuk said. “So I almost feel like you leave us no choice. But I will say there will indeed be a second season. It’s in my head right now. I’m in the planning process currently. But I do think it’s too early to say when and how that’s going to happen. So I will promise you this … Gi-hun will come back and he’ll do something for the world.”

You can watch the Associated Press interview, which starts with a separate interview with Squid Game stars Park Hae-Soo (Cho Sang-woo) and Jung Hoyeon (Kang Sae-byeok), below.

Squid Game season 1 was set in a world where hundreds of cash-strapped people accept an invitation to partake in a competition of deadly children’s games (you’ll never think of Red Light, Green Light the same way again) for the chance to win a massive cash prize.

According to a tweet by Netflix, Squid Game was a 10-year journey for Dong-Hyuk. His passion for the project has been rewarded by the massive hit the show has become on the streaming service and now he’ll get to continue the story with a second season.

As Dong-Hyuk said, a timeline for Squid Game season 2 is unclear, though it instantly is now one of the most anticipated original series that Netflix has in its lineup, joining the likes of Bridgerton, The Crown, The Witcher and Cobra Kai.

Squid Game has taken the world by storm, recently becoming the most popular Netflix series to date ahead of other huge programmes like Sex Education and Bridgerton.

The last milestone for the South Korean series was 111 million households, and Netflix has confirmed that number has risen to 142 million. 

Netflix told Deadline: "A mind-boggling 142m member households globally have chosen to watch the title in its first four weeks. The breadth of Squid Game's popularity is truly amazing."

In the nine-part series, 456 desperate South Korean citizens compete in a series of deadly challenges inspired by children's playground games such as Red Light, Green Light and the titular game Squid Game which is popular in South Korea. By winning these games, they hope to walk away with a massive cash prize.

With many of the players in debt, broke or otherwise desperate for the money, it soon becomes clear that they'll stop at nothing to get their hands on the cash. It's a violent, emotional, and gripping series, and the response has been huge.

The lead character Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) becomes Player 456 and ends up having to navigate these brutal challenges, hoping to win the money to clear his debts, improve his life and make amends with his daughter. 

Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the global reception to Squid Game and said: "Of course, I'm exhilarated about the success.

"And I'm dumbfounded that this could actually happen to a director like me. It's been a really complex experience that I've had – emotionally and memory-wise – after the success of Squid Game."

He added: "I initially thought of this piece at a time when I was really struggling – I would say it was the lowest point in my life. And all of Squid Game was written back then. A lot of hardship is ingrained in this show – but then it became a blockbuster worldwide success."

So far a second season hasn't been confirmed, but if one did happen, there's a chance that it could focus on Player 001 Oh Il-Nam (Yeong-su Oh) who ends up becoming an integral part of the story.

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Squid Game has taken Netflix viewers by storm and has recently skyrocketed to the top of the US and UK's most popular list ahead of Sex Education season 3. The South Korean drama series is being talked about globally and follows desperate members of the public as they compete to win a life-changing sum of money by taking part in children’s games. But it's not quite that simple, as every game has deadly consequences.

The nine-part series centres around Seong Gi-hun (Jung-jae Lee), a man who is riddled with debt and constantly on the run from loan sharks, as he struggles to provide for his daughter and his mother. So naturally, when this opportunity to win a fortune comes up, he jumps at it. 

According to Netflix's co-CEO Ted Sarando: "Squid Game will definitely be our biggest non-English language show in the world, for sure, and there’s a very good chance it’s going to be our biggest show ever."

With all that in mind, here's everything you need to know about the hugely popular new series...

When is Squid Game released on Netflix?

Squid Game was released on Netflix earlier this month, and all nine episodes are currently available. So it's perfect if you prefer binge-watching your series!

The series is available with English audio or Korean audio with subtitles, meaning you can choose which way you'd prefer to watch. It is also available in other languages including French, Polish, and Hindi.

What is the plot of Squid Game?

With many members of the South Korean public cash-strapped, they jump at the chance to take part in a tournament that has a massive 45.6 billion won prize (£28m) up for grabs. At first, it seems simple, all they have to do is play popular children's games against other players, but it soon takes a very dark turn.

Those who lose the games die as a result, in a similar vein to the likes of The Hunger Games and Battle Royale, which only increases the desperation faced by those wanting the money. It's no longer just a game and players find themselves fighting for their lives.

The first episode sees Seong Gi-hun approached by a mysterious stranger who informs him about the games, and he soon finds himself taking part in a murderous game of 'Red Light, Green Light’.

Who is in the cast of Squid Game?

The Squid Game cast includes Park Hae Soo (Time To Hunt), Wi Ha-joon (Midnight), fashion model HoYeon Jung, and Lee Jung-jae (Deliver Us From Evil).

Is there a trailer?

Yes, Netflix has released a thrilling trailer for Squid Game. In it, we see our desperate players greeted by mysterious figures all wearing circle, triangle or square branded masks, reflecting the symbols of the game. Panic soon sets in as the players are picked off one by one, with the counter rapidly dropping as people keep dying. Who will make it out alive?

Will there be a second season of Squid Game?

Right now, the future of Squid Game is unclear but the dramatic final episode certainly leaves it open for more and writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk has not ruled out the possibility of another instalment.

Speaking to Radio Times, he revealed: "I do realise there are huge expectations for season two. It’s not that I haven’t thought about season two at all, and I also do have a rough framework for it. But I keep asking myself whether I can make it better than season one. I do not want people to get disappointed over the new season."

He has also teased that season 2 may focus on Oh Il-Nam's (Player 001) backstory, as he ends up being a crucial character throughout the course of the nine episodes, and there's still so much we could learn about him.

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