Netflix presents “Squid Game: The Challenge”, a reality show with a whopping $4.56 million cash prize

You read right Netflix is doing “Squid Game” for real. Popular streaming platform Netflix has approved a reality TV series called “Squid Game: The Challenge”. The show will pit 456 contestants against each other in a series of games inspired by the hit show of the same name.

With a cash prize of $4.56 million reward — Netflix is poised to have the largest cash prize in reality TV history.

“The stakes are high, but in this game the worst fate is going home empty-handed,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.

Netflix has opened casting for the show to English-language speakers around the world. Filming will take place in the U.K. The series is to be co-produced by production firms Studio Lambert and The Garden, which is part of British broadcaster ITV.

Squid Game was realeased in 2021 and became an instant international success. It is Netflix’s most-watched show of all time with people dedicating 1.65 billion hours of viewing time in the first 28 days of its release.

Set in South Korea, Squid Game sees 456 players in financial hardship risk their lives through various deadly children’s games for a large cash prize. The show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk took inspiration for the show from his own family’s struggles after the 2008 financial crisis. A second series is now officially in the works.

“Squid Game: The Challenge” will feature games from the original series as well some “surprising new additions.” It will comprise 10 episodes in total.

The show could be a way for Netflix to use some of its lucrative content to bring more users to the platform. The company is facing headwinds from the impact of rising inflation, the removal of Covid-19 restrictions and competition from rival firms like Disney, HBO Max and AppleTV.

You can apply for Squid Game: The Challenge here.