The Queen's Gambit (miniseries)

The Queen's Gambit
Promotional poster
Genre
Created by
Based onThe Queen's Gambit
by Walter Tevis
Written byScott Frank
Directed byScott Frank
Starring
Music byCarlos Rafael Rivera
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Marcus Loges
  • Mick Aniceto
CinematographySteven Meizler
EditorMichelle Tesoro
Running time46–67 minutes
Production companies
  • Flitcraft Ltd
  • Wonderful Films
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseOctober 23, 2020 (2020-10-23)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

The Queen's Gambit is a 2020 American coming-of-age period drama television miniseries based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The title refers to the "Queen's Gambit", a chess opening. The series was written and directed by Scott Frank, who created it with Allan Scott, who owns the rights to the book. Beginning in the mid-1950s and proceeding into the 1960s, the story follows the life of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), a fictional American chess prodigy on her rise to the top of the chess world while struggling with drug and alcohol dependency.

Netflix released The Queen's Gambit on October 23, 2020. After four weeks it had become Netflix's most-watched scripted miniseries, making it Netflix's top program in 63 countries.[1][2] The series received critical acclaim, with particular praise for Taylor-Joy's performance, the cinematography, and production values. It also received a positive response from the chess community for its often accurate depictions of high-level chess, and data suggests that it increased public interest in the game.[3][4]

The Queen's Gambit won eleven Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, becoming the first show on a streaming service to win the category.[5] The series also won two Golden Globe Awards: Best Limited Series or Television Film and Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for Taylor-Joy. She also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie.

  1. ^ Miller, Sarah (December 1, 2020). "The Fatal Flaw of "The Queen's Gambit"". The New Yorker. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  2. ^ White, Peter (November 23, 2020). "'The Queen's Gambit' Becomes Netflix's Biggest Scripted Limited Series With 62M Checking Chess Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  3. ^ Rosen, Christopher (November 23, 2020). "The Queen's Gambit Has Everyone Buying Chess Boards". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  4. ^ Allebest, Erik (November 22, 2020). "Incredible Second Wave of Interest in Chess". Chess.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  5. ^ Fienberg, Scott (September 19, 2021). "Emmys: 'The Queen's Gambit' Wins Best Limited Series". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 26, 2021.