Contestants on the new Squid Game-inspired reality show are threatening legal action against Netflix and producers after claiming they suffered hypothermia and nerve damage during filming. The allegations relate to the show's opening game, Red Light, Green Light, filmed at Cardington Studios in Bedfordshire during a cold snap.
Express Solicitors, a British personal injury law firm, said it is representing two unnamed players from Squid Game: The Challenge. The participants allege they were not informed they would be risking their health by crouching motionless for long periods in cold temperatures.
Daniel Slade, CEO of Express Solicitors, which specialises in no-win no-fee claims, said: “We recognise people may see this as a classic David and Goliath battle with the company and its production partners. Contestants thought they were taking part in something fun and those injured did not expect to suffer as they did. Now they have been left with injuries after spending time being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures.” Slade added that one client described seeing someone faint and medics being called, while another had hands turn purple from the cold.
Netflix previously confirmed that three of the 456 contestants received medical treatment during filming, but said “claims of serious injury are untrue” following reports of people being stretchered out. A spokesperson for the show said: “No lawsuit has been filed by any of the Squid Game contestants. We take the welfare of our contestants extremely seriously.”
The Health and Safety Executive conducted an independent safety inspection after the incidents, reminding producers to plan properly for risk, but ultimately decided no further action was necessary. The show, a recreation of the hit Korean drama, premieres on Wednesday with a prize of $4.56m (£3.64m), the largest single prize in gameshow history.
