When is ‘Squid Game’ season 3 coming out? Everything to know so far

On By Littum

Play octopus is back and deadlier than ever. If you’ve made it to the end of the latest season of the gripping South Korean drama, you’re probably anxious to find out when Play octopus Season 3 is coming to Netflix.

Season 2 sees the return of Season 1 champion Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), re-entering the deadly competition years after winning the 45.6 billion won prize. This time, with the help of Detective Hwang Jun-ho, Player 459 is determined to bring down the Squid Game and dismantle the operation led by the enigmatic frontman, who takes an even more hands-on role in this season’s deadly challenges.

After the action-packed season 2 finale – filled with rebellion, shocking deaths and countless twists – fans are already wondering how long they’ll have to wait for the final season to hit Netflix. Series director, writer, and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed last summer that the third season will serve as the last of the series.

“I am very excited to write this letter to announce the date of Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season,” he shared in a letter to fans. “The violent clash between (Gi-hun and Front Man’s)

Here’s everything you need to know (so far) about Play octopus Season 3, including its expected release timeline, returning cast members and more.

When is Play octopus Is season 3 coming out?

Play octopus is set to return for its third and final season in 2025, although the exact release date has yet to be revealed. However, the show’s creator has hinted that an announcement is expected “soon” as the third season has already been filmed.

“At this point, anything I say will be a spoiler, so I’ll be careful,” Hwang shared Black. “But what I can say is that after season 2 launches, I think we’ll soon announce the launch date for season 3. I’d probably expect it to launch around summer or fall of next year.”

If Season 3 premieres in the summer or fall, that timeline aligns with Emmy nomination plans. According to Digital trendsNetflix will likely submit Season 2 to the 2025 awards and may aim to submit Season 3 to the 2026 Emmys. This suggests the earliest Play octopus Season 3 could debut on Netflix on June 1, 2025 to qualify for the 2026 Emmys.

Warning: Spoilers ahead Play octopus Season 2.

What will Play octopus Season 3 Be About?

Third season of Play octopus will continue the story after the violent rebellion in the Season 2 finale, which ultimately fails when the rebels run out of ammunition and are vastly outnumbered. The most shocking moment in the finale was the heartbreaking death of Gi-hun’s best friend from season 1, Park Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan).

Hwang revealed that Jung-bae’s death was deliberately planned as the perfect way to end Season 2. “Audiences will definitely be shocked and very sad to see Jung-bae go,” the creator told Tudum. “He’s also the only person in the games that Gi-hun can trust and completely rely on.”

Forbes‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Twist Ending Explained – Who Is Player 001?By Monica Mercury

The frontman, who disguised himself as Player 001 (aka Young-il) and formed a bond with Gi-hun and his group of allies, has “faked” his character’s death and returned to his role behind the signature black cape and mask. At the end of season 2, Gi-hun is still unaware of the betrayal. “I don’t think Gi-hun knows the truth yet” because his character “blames himself for everything that happened,” Jung-jae told Tudum.

At the end of episode 7, a mid-credits scene confirms that the games continue even after Gi-hun is captured. The mid-credits scene shows players entering the arena, which now includes two giant puppets and a new variation of “Red Light, Green Light.” Hwang teased that the third season will continue to highlight “the violent clash between (Gi-hun and Front Man’s) two worlds.”

Which characters return Play octopus Season 3?

Season 2 of Play octopus experienced the loss of several important characters, especially during the brutal final episodes. As for which characters will return in Season 3, here’s a look at those who have survived so far (with a few already confirmed in the mid-credits scene).

  • Gi-hun (player 456)
  • Yong-sik (Player 007)
  • Geum-ja (player 149)
  • Hyun-ju (player 120)
  • Jun-hee (player 222)
  • Myung-gi (player 333)
  • Dae-ho (player 388)
  • Jun-ho (the detective)
  • In-ho (Frontman, ‘Young-il’, Player 001)

Follow along to learn more about Play octopus Season 3.

Play octopus streaming on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.