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Squid Game season 2: Release date, cast, plot for Netflix show

Ready for another game? Green light!

Simon Bland
·4-min read
The faceless antagonists behind Squid Game. (Noh Juhan/Netflix)
The faceless antagonists behind Squid Game. (Noh Juhan/Netflix) (Noh Juhan/Netflix)

It took the world by storm following its release in late 2021 and if reports are to be believed, the Squid Game universe is only just getting started.

Created and directed by filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk, this hugely popular Netflix series had a brutal, Battle Royale-esque concept at its core. It followed a group of contestants in a life-or-death game organised by wealthy, masked individuals.

Starting with 456 cash-strapped players, it pitted each hopeful against a series of simple yet deceptively tricky tasks, with all losers meeting a bloody end and the surviving champion receiving a life-changing sum of money.

Read more: Squid Game: The Challenge reality series denies claims of ‘serious injury’ on set

The show wasted no time becoming Netflix's most-watched series, with a second series currently in development and a real-life, reality-based survival game called Squid Game: The Challenge also on its way to satisfy our game-based cravings.

However, when it comes to the show’s primary storyline, it looks like we’ve still got a good few rounds yet to play with twists, turns and secrets hiding behind each new challenge. Here’s everything we know about Squid Game season two so far…

Squid Game season 2 release date

A second series of Squid Game was finally confirmed in June 2023. (Netflix)
A second series of Squid Game was finally confirmed in June 2023. (Netflix) (Netflix)

It’s not yet clear when Squid Game season two might be released, with no set debut date revealed at the time of writing.

According to a conversation with Vanity Fair, show creator Dong-hyuk teased that it could be due out towards the end of 2023 or 2024 — so looks like our first Squid Game task will involve patience.

Despite being a huge, worldwide hit, Dong-hyuk wasn’t initially sure whether he had a second series of Squid Game in him.

“I don’t have well developed plans for Squid Game 2” Dong-hyuk told Variety back in 2021. “It is quite tiring just thinking about it. But if I were to do it, I would certainly not do it alone. I’d consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors.”

The 'Red Light Green Light' challenge from Squid Game. (Netflix)
The 'Red Light Green Light' challenge from Squid Game. (Netflix) (Netflix)

Explaining that he wanted to develop a few movie ideas before jumping into more Squid Game, the series mastermind eventually began to warm to the idea of new episodes and by October 2021, he had revealed he was in discussions with Netflix for new episodes.

By November, he had confirmed the return of the show’s star Lee Jung-jae who played Squid Game season one champion Gi-Hun — in his plans at least.

At this point, Netflix was yet to give the show the official green light but a few months later, streamer boss Ted Sarandos seemingly confirmed new episodes by saying: "Absolutely...the Squid Game universe has just begun."

A still from the hit Netflix show Squid Game (Netflix)
A still from the hit Netflix show Squid Game (Netflix)

In June 2023, Netflix made things official with a Tweet and a statement from Dong-hyuk. “It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life last year. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular Netflix series ever,” he explained.

“As the writer, director, and producer of Squid Game, a huge shout out to fans around the world. Thank you for watching and loving our show... Join us once more for a whole new round.”

Squid Game season 2 cast

Top row (From left): Lee Jung-Jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Yim Si-Wan, Kang Ha-Neul Middle Row (From Left): Park Gyu-Young, Park Sung-Hoon, Jo Yu-Ri, Wi Ha-Jun Bottom Row (From Left): Yang Dong-Geun, Kang Ae-Sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-Uk Vertical Photo: Director Hwang Dong-Hyuk (Netflix)
Top row (From left): Lee Jung-Jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Yim Si-Wan, Kang Ha-Neul Middle Row (From Left): Park Gyu-Young, Park Sung-Hoon, Jo Yu-Ri, Wi Ha-Jun Bottom Row (From Left): Yang Dong-Geun, Kang Ae-Sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-Uk Vertical Photo: Director Hwang Dong-Hyuk (Netflix)

Alongside Squid Game’s renewal announcement came a small nugget of casting news, with Dong-hyuk teasing a few possible plot points too.

“And now, Gi-hun returns. The Front Man returns,” revealed the director, confirming the return of last series hero and the show’s masked bad-guy, played by Lee Byung-hun.

“Season 2 is coming. The man in the black suit with ddakji might be back,” he continued, referencing Gong Yoo’s recruiter character. “You’ll also be introduced to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su.

“Join us once more for a whole new round.”

Squid Game S2: (From Left) Choi Seung-Hyun, Lee Jin-Uk, Won Ji-An, Park Gyu-Young, Kang Ae-Sim, Lee David, Jo Yu-Ri, Roh Jae-Won. (Netflix)
Squid Game S2: (From Left) Choi Seung-Hyun, Lee Jin-Uk, Won Ji-An, Park Gyu-Young, Kang Ae-Sim, Lee David, Jo Yu-Ri, Roh Jae-Won. (Netflix)

Police officer Hwang Jun-ho, played by Wi Ha-joon, will also be back, alongside newcomers Yim-Si Wan, Kang Ha-Neul, Park Sung-Hoon and Yang Dong-Geun. While their roles currently remain a mystery, their game-focused introductions in Netflix's casting announcement could suggest they’ll be key players in season two’s new game.

Watch the official casting announcement video below:

Squid Game season 2 is coming soon to Netflix.