While it still reigns in the all-time top 10, you may have forgotten about this Netflix series that was a real hit.
Since Netflix’s inception, some original series have become must-sees for many subscribers. Some, like Arcane Or Stranger Things for their undeniable narrative or visual qualities, others because they sometimes had immediate success. And if these big successes can be quite qualitative, they sometimes drown in the mass of new productions that streaming platforms put online every week.
Released in October 2020, this drama series continues to reign supreme as the fifth most-watched English-language series of all time on Netflix. In total, it has accumulated 112.8 million views, surpassing the last two seasons of Bridgertonbut also season 3 of Stranger Things. This series is The Queen’s Gambit.
This American mini-series in just seven episodes has won over Netflix subscribers by adapting Walter Tevis’ novel published in 1983 for the screen. In The Queen’s Gambitwe follow the story of Elisabeth Harmon, an orphaned chess prodigy, who aspires to become the best chess player in the world while facing her demons, but also her addictions to drugs and medication.
In addition to a captivating historical reconstruction (the plot takes place from the 1950s to the 1960s) and particularly gripping tension during the chess tournaments, The Queen’s Gambit is served by a high-flying cast. The cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role. Let’s remember that the 28-year-old actress already has a great career under her belt, since she has already played in Furiosa, Split, Peaky Blinders or even Emma.
In the series, she reunites with Harry Melling (Harry Potter), Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (The Three Musketeers) or Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Game of Thrones, The Labyrinth). If you missed the phenomenon when it came out, the seven episodes of Queen’s Gambit are available on Netflix.