The makers of a new reality game show, based on the South Korean drama TV series Squid Game, being filmed at Bedford have denied reports contestants suffered serious injuries in freezing temperatures.
Netflix, Studio Lambert, and The Garden who are co-producing the new reality TV series, Squid Game: The Challenge said claims of injury on the set at Cardington Studios in Cardington reported in The Sun are untrue.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, a joint statement from the makers said: “We care deeply about the health and safety of our cast and crew, and invested in all the appropriate safety procedures.
“While it was very cold on set — and participants were prepared for that — any claims of serious injury are untrue.”
The tabloid newspaper reported earlier this week that weather conditions, which saw temperatures below zero, led to at least one contestant being “stretchered off” while others suffered frostbite.
A source claimed that a game of Red Light, Green Light, filmed at a former Royal Air Force base led to tears.
“Even if hypothermia kicked in then people were willing to stay for as long as possible because a lot of money was on the line,” the anonymous contestant told The Sun.
“Too many were determined not to move so they stood there for far too long. There were people arriving thinking they were going to be millionaires but they left in tears.”
The Guardian, reports Netflix has confirmed three people have received medical treatment, but the nature of the injuries wasn’t specified.
The Bedford Independent has contacted the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) for comment.
Based on the controversial but hugely popular South Korean series streamed on Netflix in 2021, the Challenge will follow over 400 real-life players facing a series of challenges to win US$4.56M (£.7m) the largest prize ever offered on a TV game show.
Squid Game was Netflix’s most-watched programme in 2021, and has been singlehandedly credited with attracting 4.4 million new subscribers to the streaming service, boosting the company’s profits to US$1.45bn (£1.17bn).
Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s VP of unscripted and documentary series, said fans are in for a “fascinating and unpredictable journey.”
“Squid Game took the world by storm with director Hwang [Dong-Hyuk]’s captivating story and iconic imagery,” said Riegg.
“We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment.
“Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real-world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest ever cash prize at the end.”
A second season of the South Korean TV series was confirmed last year and is expected to be released toward the end of 2023.
