With video-streaming websites becoming our only few sources of entertainment left these days, Netflix's The Queen's Gambit broke the record for the most watched scripted limited series ever. With 62 million member accounts worldwide having watched at least two minutes of the show over its first four weeks, the new viewership record will be a hard one to beat!
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Critical acclaim and cultural impact
Not only was this a major hit on Netflix, with both viewers taking to twitter to express their new found love for chess and critics giving the series near-universal praise but it also managed to get the original 1983 Walter Tevin's novel of the same name back in the New York Times bestseller list after its original release 37 years ago.
Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, the series centres on a chess prodigy in the 60's competing in tournaments all over the world all the while battling addictions and learning to cope with self-destructive behaviour. Though chess might not seem like the most exciting sport, according to Netflix reps, Google searches for 'How To Play Chess' have hit a nine-year peak.
Co-creator, showrunner and director, Scott Frank said of the overwhelming praise:
I am both delighted and dazed by the response. It’s just all way beyond what any of us could have imagined. But speaking for my fellow producers and the entire cast and crew of the show, every one of whom made me look better than I actually am, we are most grateful that so many took the time to watch our showI
Top 10's list
If that isn't convincing enough to get you to binge watch the show if you haven't already then you should probably know that it made the top 10 series to watch in 92 countries and ranked number 1 in 63 countries.
If you have yet to watch the series, make sure you check out the trailer in the video above!
