'The Queen's Gambit' becomes Netflix's most watched limited series

Streaming giant confirmed show was watched by record-breaking 62 million households over its first 28 days of release

Streaming giant Netflix has confirmed The Queen’s Gambit is its biggest scripted limited series in history, launching to a record-breaking 62 million households over its first 28 days of release, reported The Hollywood Reporter. That opening number figure puts the show in the same league as some of Netflix’s biggest original movie debuts, including The Kissing Booth 2 and The Irishman.

The Anya Taylor-Joy-starrer has also proven to be a hit overseas, cracking the streamer’s top 10 list in 92 countries and ranking number one in 63 countries, including the UK, Argentina, Israel, and South Africa.

“I am both delighted and dazed by the response,” Frank said in a statement. “It’s just all way beyond what any of us could have imagined.” But speaking for my fellow producers and the entire cast and crew of the show, every one of whom made me look better than I actually am, we are most grateful that so many took the time to watch our show.”

“Three years ago when Scott Frank first approached us about adapting The Queen’s Gambit, we felt it was a compelling tale,” Peter Friedlander, Netflix vice president of original series, said in a statement. “Beth is an underdog who faces addiction, loss and abandonment. Her success — against the odds — speaks to the importance of perseverance, family, and finding, and staying true to, yourself. However, I don’t think any of us could have predicted [the series] would become the global phenomena it is today or our biggest limited scripted series ever.”

“It’s a true testament to Scott’s skill as a writer and film-maker that he was able to bring the drama and detail of the many chess matches to life on camera,” Friedlander added. “Scott also had tremendous help from the series’ talented crafts team. Costume designer Gabriele Binder’s exquisite use of checkerboard patterns in Beth’s wardrobe, composer Carlos Rafael Rivera’s suspenseful score, editor Michelle Tesoro’s gripping montages, production designer Uli Hanisch’s vibrant choices that pop off the screen in every scene, and cinematographer Steven Meizler, whose work transformed every match into heart-pounding drama.”

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