A Netflix series has swept across the streaming world, with countless viewers hailing it as one of the ultimate recommendations for anyone searching for a truly binge-worthy show on the platform.
The series premiered globally on Netflix on October 23, 2020. Since its release during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the hugely recommended limited series has continued to attract an ever-growing wave of love and admiration from audiences.
Across multiple viral Reddit threads seeking recommendations for binge-worthy shows, one title repeatedly appears. The coming-of-age period drama has been described as an absolute must-see masterpiece. That series is, of course, The Queen’s Gambit.
Regularly appearing among the most recommended binge-worthy dramas, the Netflix original stars Anya Taylor-Joy in an extraordinary lead performance. The role catapulted the actress to overnight stardom soon after the show’s release.
The Queen’s Gambit is adapted from Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel of the same name, and countless recommendations across Reddit have repeatedly placed it among the most binge-worthy shows available. As someone who watched the entire series in one sitting as soon as it arrived on the streaming service, I can wholeheartedly agree that the recommendation is well deserved.
In a Reddit thread that has since gone viral on the Netflix subreddit, one user asked: “What Netflix show kept you up all night binge-watching recently? I haven’t had that “just one more episode” feeling in a while. Now I’m looking for my next obsession. What’s the last Netflix show that had you completely hooked? The kind where you tell yourself you’ll watch one episode and suddenly it’s 3 AM. Looking for something that grabs you from episode one and doesn’t let go.”
Recommendations for The Queen’s Gambit appeared repeatedly in the replies, with one viewer saying: “Just rewatched this for the 3rd time last weekend. It is just top tier. The acting and the musical score and the writing are 10/10.”
Another fan wrote: “This is one of those rare tv shows that I think had a perfect season run, up there with the first season of Daredevil. Absolutely amazing.”
One Redditor commented: “Gosh this one was so good! I should give it a rewatch.” Another user added: “I always watch this about once a year. I love this show!”
Another Redditor said: “Not recently, but I watched The Queen’s Gambit one late afternoon and I couldn’t stop watching. I finished it at maybe past 2am, and of course I had to get ready for work soon afterwards, lol.” Another viewer simply declared: “Queen’s Gambit hooks you instantly.”
The Queen’s Gambit takes its title from a chess opening and follows the remarkable life and meteoric rise of fictional American chess prodigy Beth Harmon, played by Taylor-Joy. The story follows Beth as she becomes one of the brightest emerging talents in chess during the 1950s and 60s, while secretly struggling with a dependence on drugs and alcohol.
The Netflix miniseries was written and directed by Scott Frank, who co-created the show with Allan Scott, the rights holder for Tevis’ novel. From the beginning, The Queen’s Gambit received widespread critical acclaim. In a historic achievement, the Netflix original went on to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, becoming the first streaming production ever to take home the award.
The Queen’s Gambit ultimately won 11 Primetime Emmys, as well as two Golden Globe Awards for Best Limited Series or Television Film and Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for Taylor-Joy. During the same awards season, she also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie.
Another viral thread on the Netflix subreddit featured an original poster saying: “Ngl [not going to lie], when this came out, what, 1 or 2 years ago I didn’t think it’ll be this good. I didn’t have high hopes for this. Fortunately, today I took myself to go and watch it. Glad I did. It blends the thrill of playing with personal drama and so all. Chef’s kiss, the best way they could’ve done it. Truly a masterpiece.”
Other Reddit users expressed similar feelings. One wrote: “I don’t remember what made me watch it when it came out – the description doesn’t match up with my typical taste in shows. But it’s one of my very favourite things I’ve ever watched.”
Another fan said: “It’s one of the best Netflix originals series.”
One Reddit user added: “When it came out I thought there couldn’t be a more boring show than one about chess. We watched the first episode and were instantly hooked. It’s a great show!”
Taylor-Joy is joined by Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Christiane Seidel, Rebecca Root, Chloe Pirrie, Akemnji Ndifornyen and Marielle Heller, along with a wider ensemble cast. The performances have received enthusiastic praise from both critics and audiences.
The Queen’s Gambit is available to stream on Netflix.