Netflix is streaming a drama so compelling that viewers are watching the entire seven-episode series in a single sitting. The miniseries holds a striking 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences calling it "amazing" and "masterful." It is available to stream now.
A Chess Prodigy's Rise
The miniseries, released in 2020, follows a woman who goes from discovering chess in an orphanage basement in the 1950s to reaching the top of the chess world. It is based on the book of the same name by Walter Tevis. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as the chess prodigy Beth Harmon.
Taylor-Joy won three major awards for her performance, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. The series itself collected numerous honors, including 11 Primetime Emmys, two Golden Globes, and two Critics' Choice Television Awards.
Viewers Can't Stop Watching
Fans have taken to Reddit to share their experiences. One viewer wrote: "I turned it on because I had nothing else to watch and I wound up binging the whole entire series in one night. I cheered for each chess match like it was the Super Bowl. I don't understand why I was so enthralled but the storytelling is so masterful and everyone is amazing in this show."
Another added: "I just got off a 12-hour graveyard shift, I usually get home around 8am and put Netflix on to fall asleep. But when I decided to start The Queen's Gambit I quickly got a second wind and before I knew it I was awake watching for 7-8 hours straight! Never have I been so quick to click on the play next episode! This is definitely a must-binge even if you don't know much or anything about chess. The story telling, character development, casting and acting was top notch!"
A third viewer commented: "It's amazing that this is a Netflix original. This is like an old Hollywood production put on by pros in front of and behind the camera. So refreshing to see this level of art in this day and age."
Critical Acclaim
Professional critics have also praised the series. Richard Roper of the Chicago Sun-Times said: "Raise your hand if you anticipated a coming-of-age, period-piece drama about a female chess prodigy in the 1950s and 1960s becoming perhaps the most addictive and binge-worthy series of 2020."
Nancy Durant of the Evening Standard noted: "Even if you don't know your knight from your bishop it's thrilling, while the naturalistic script flows beautifully. Most satisfyingly, every time you think it's going to fall back on some awful 'woman in a man's world' trope, it just doesn't."
Linda Marric of The Jewish Chronicle added: "Creators Scott Frank and Allan Scott have managed the impossible here. They have succeeded in turning a story about one of the most docile and unglamorous sports into something truly magical and outstanding."
The Queen's Gambit is the ninth most-watched Netflix series of all time. Its cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, Chloe Pirrie as Alice Harmon, Bill Camp as Mr. Shaibel, Marielle Heller as Alma Wheatley, Marcin Dorocinski as Vasily Borgov, Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Benny Watts, Moses Ingram as Jolene, Harry Melling as Harry Beltik, and Isla Johnston as Young Beth Harmon.
The series won dozens of awards, including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 18 nominations, two Golden Globes, two Critics' Choice Television Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and one Directors Guild of America Award.
