The Queen's Gambit broke streaming records on Netflix, becoming the most viewed limited series of all time on the platform. The show premiered on October 23rd on Netflix and stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, an orphan and chess prodigy. While taking the world of professional chess by storm, Beth Harmon must also deal with the trauma of being orphaned and her addiction to pills. The show is based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis.
The Queen's Gambit was released to critical acclaim. According to critics, Taylor-Joy's performance is one of the highlights, a testament to her status as one of Hollywood's most exciting working actresses. Praise was also given to its attention to period detail, as the show takes place in the 1950s and '60s. The show also earned praise from high-profile chess players for its accuracy in portraying the game and the thought process of those playing it.
According to Netflix, the show's success has been astronomical. In its first 28 days on the platform, over 62 million households have viewed the show. This makes it the platform's most popular limited series to date. Netflix also says the novel the show is based on has reentered the New York Times' bestseller list. Additionally, according to the streamer, Google searches for "How to play chess" have reached a nine-year peak.
The Queen's Gambit is not an obvious choice for one of Netflix's biggest limited series of all time. On paper, the show's audience seems limited because of its focus on the chess world. However, with the show also diving deep into its main character's psyche and her struggles with addiction and mental health, another layer is added that entices viewers. Additionally, the show finds unique and exciting ways to show the inner-workings of Beth Harmon's mind as she faces off against formidable chess opponents.
One apparent reason the show reached such great heights is due to its release date. Posited as prestige television and appearing when most major tv shows face delayed premieres because of the pandemic, viewers are desperate for something to watch. Taylor-Joy is also a force to be reckoned with, and her burgeoning stardom also increased interest. While it's been a terrible year for just about everyone else, streamers like Netflix have had banner years, with viewership skyrocketing. Netflix had a stacked lineup of content to release through the end of the year, even at the beginning of the pandemic. While The Queen's Gambit surely would have been a success regardless of when it was released, these type of viewership numbers are a product of a time when viewers are looking to places like Netflix to take their minds off the chaos of the real world.
Source: Netflix