Netflix's 'The Queen's Gambit' Miniseries Draws 62M Views in First Month

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Netflix's 2020 miniseries The Queen's Gambit, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, was a massive hit for the streaming service, drawing 62 million views in its first month of release. The series, which blended a sports drama with a coming-of-age story, received critical acclaim and sparked a renewed global interest in chess.

Why it matters

The success of The Queen's Gambit demonstrates the power of a well-executed, sharply written miniseries to captivate audiences. In an era dominated by long-running TV shows, the series proved that a tightly-paced, seven-episode limited series can be just as binge-worthy and impactful as multi-season programs.

The details

The Queen's Gambit follows the life of Beth Harmon, a young chess prodigy in 1960s Kentucky, as she navigates the competitive world of professional chess while also struggling with addiction. The series expertly blends the high-stakes drama of chess tournaments with Beth's personal journey, creating a captivating narrative that resonated with viewers around the world. In addition to its critical acclaim, the series also sparked a surge of interest in chess, with Google searches for the game doubling and the number of new players on Chess.com increasing five-fold.

• The Queen's Gambit was released on Netflix on October 23, 2020.
• Within the first 28 days, the series had garnered 62 million views, setting a record for the most-watched scripted limited series on the platform.

What’s next

The Queen's Gambit has continued to captivate audiences since its initial release, and the series' enduring popularity has led to increased interest in chess and the original novel. While a second season has not been announced, fans of the show will likely continue to discuss and analyze the series' themes and impact on the entertainment industry.