In the early days of 2020 (which honestly seems like an eternity ago), The Circle on Netflix became one of the most popular and addictive shows on the platform thanks it part to its crazy combination of elements from Big Brother and Catfish. And even though nearly a year has passed since the winner was named at the conclusion of the first season, people are still obsessively asking all of the internet when they can see The Circle Season 2.
Unfortunately, no one here has a magic ball that can look into the future (thought that would be handy), so it's hard to say exactly when the revolutionary and somewhat dystopian competition reality TV series with some serious Black Mirror vibes will be returning to the popular streaming platform. There is, however, quite a bit of information about what's been going on behind the scenes of The Circle throughout 2020, including its renewal, open casting call, and even a big tease from the show's host. Here's what's going on with The Circle Season 2 on Netflix.
Netflix Ordered The Circle Season 2 In March 2020
A little more than two months after The Circle Season 1 came to a close, Variety reported in March 2020 that the social experiment would be brought back to Netflix for at least two more seasons, meaning that two whole new crops of contestants would be forced to spend weeks in isolation and only communicate through a special app (life imitating art and the other way around here). In the announcement, it was revealed that the Netflix competition series would have new strategies and challenges upon making its eventual return to a hungry audience obsessed with watching people push themselves to their absolute limits all for bragging rights and a cool $100,000 grand prize.
The Circle Official Twitter Account Sent Out A Casting Call Once Season 2 Was Announced
Shortly after it was revealed that The Circle would be returning to the Netflix for Season 2, the show's official Twitter account posted a 30-second video (emojis and all) announcing the start of casting for the upcoming season:
Along with the video was a link going to thecirclecasting.com which allowed hopeful contestants in the United States and United Kingdom to sign up for the two different versions of the hit reality series and social experiment that quickly became one of the most binge-worthy Netflix shows in recent memory. There was no other information shared in the tweet (or any subsequent tweets), but this was more than enough to hype up the The Circle Season 2.
Casting For The U.S. And U.K. Versions Of The Circle Are Now Closed
At some point between March and October 2020, the open casting call for the U.S. and U.K. versions of The Circle was closed. It's not entirely clear if both shows have found their respective stables of contestants (which is the most likely scenario) or if the casting was put off until the world begins to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily for The Circle, most of the show is shot in isolation, so it's entirely possible that the producers were able to find some safety measures to put in place in order to make the contestants even more isolated from one another and the production crew. Let's just hope that whenever the cast of The Circle Season 2 is announced, Netflix does a better job than it did with the confusing tweet posted ahead of Season 1.
The Circle Season 2 Was Tentatively Scheduled To Start Shooting In October/November 2020
There have been no official announcements from Netflix as to when The Circle Season 2 will premiere or even enter production, but a casting listing on Backstage detailing the reality competition's casting does have a section containing the tentative shooting dates for the upcoming season. According to the site, production was tentatively scheduled to get underway in late October or early November 2020 and would take up to six weeks to complete. Given the frequency of production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we don't know if the series was/is still on track to begin shooting on schedule, as no official information on that has been released.
A similar casting post ahead of The Circle Season 1 from back in 2019 called for a three-to-four-week shoot starting in August of that year. That season premiered on Netflix in January 2020, so it's entirely possible that the second season returns in the first few months of 2021. Fingers crossed.
It should also be noted that the producers of The Circle Season 2 were looking for "entertaining, funny, confident, and competitive people" to take part in the upcoming reality competition.
The Circle's Host, Michelle Buteau, Has Hinted At A Big Surprise For Season 2
The first season of The Circle gave audiences some of the most surprising moments and exciting partnerships in recent memory, but if what the show's host, Michelle Buteau, told Insider is any indication, Season 2 is going to be just as wild, if not wilder. During the October 2020 conversation, the comedian explained that audiences are in for some pretty big surprises that she's not even in the loop on, stating:
God, casting won't give me any details, but they're like, 'You will be surprised.' And I'm like, 'I don't know what that means.'
Like Michelle Buteau, no one (outside of The Circle's producers, anyway) know exactly what these surprises mean, but if it means the return of some of Season 1's most memorable contestants, then it's going to be okay.
Here Is How The Circle Season 1 Played Out For Those Who Forgot
Throughout The Circle Season 1, 14 contestants (trapped in isolated apartments) competed against one another to become the most popular although they never met face to face. As the show went on, the contestants rated one another based solely on how they were able to portray themselves in the app made specially for the show. Immediate fan-favorite Joey Sasso, who didn't try to hide his identity or put on a show, ended up winning the $100,000 prize while Shubham Goel was named the runner-up. Sasso's victory came down to his likability, but it could also be because he was constantly able to make the most of any situation, including building a friend out of Play-doh.
That about catches us up with everything that's going on with The Circle Season 2, but make sure to check back for updates in the future as we all look toward to the Netflix show's eventual return. If you want to know what else Netflix has in store for subscribers, check out this list of upcoming titles and other great stories here at CinemaBlend.
