Summary
The highly anticipated second season ofSquid Gameis just around the corner, and fans are really excited to see the series making a comeback after a wait of three long years. Although the new season has yet to air, it has already achieved a monumental feat by getting nominated in the Best Drama Series category at the Golden Globes.
Squid Gameis one of the biggest shows on the planet and has broken several records for the streaming platform. Apart from that, the first edition went on to win several awards after its release, solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon. So, it doesn’t come as a shock that there is a lot of excitement for the upcoming edition of the Netflix series. However, fans got a very pleasant surprise when the Golden Globes nominated Squid Game season 2 for the Best Drama Series accolade, though many couldn’t stop asking one pressing question: how did a program, that has not even aired a single episode, get nominated for such a coveted prize? Well, we have the answer to that burning question.
According to the guidelines laid out by theHollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), a show qualifies for award consideration if it is released within the same calendar year and its episodes or screeners are submitted prior to the nomination deadline. For the uninitiated, this year’s deadline was June 14, 2025. This means that Netflix handed out early screeners for the second season ofSquid Gameto the GG voters, making this early nomination possible. As a result,Squid Gamefinds itself competing against acclaimed shows likeMr. & Mrs. Smith, The Diplomat, Shogun, The Day of the Jackal,andSlow Horsesfor the award.
This is a rare occasion for a TV series to get nominated for such a big prize before its release. Meanwhile, when it comes to movies, there have always been titles that have garnered nominations before they have been released in theatres. For example,A Complete Unknown, a biopic on the legendary musician Bob Dylan has received three nods at the 2025 Golden Globes, including Best Film (Drama), even when the movie is scheduled to hit theaters on July 20, 2025. As per reports, the movie held its screenings for the GG votes before the deadline. On the other hand, it also sent screeners to the voters to make the film eligible for the prestigious ceremony. Similarly,Squid GameSeason 2followed a comparable strategy to secure its nomination. Despite the season not being officially released, Netflix ensured eligibility by organizing private screenings for HFPA members and providing advance episodes to voters before the deadline.
This nomination proves the building anticipation for the series and how it captivated everyone. Game Rant has been one of the few outlets that received earlier screeners forSquid Gameseason 2 and after seeing the episodes, it is quite evident that Netflix andcreator Hwang Dong-hyuk have workedtogether to bring a season that is bigger and better in every sense. The stakes are definitely higher, and it would be interesting to see how fans react to it.
