Lee Jong Jae, the acclaimed actor who drew wide attention for his standout performance in the global hit The Squid Game, is set to return to screens as Ray, the enigmatic killer, in a forthcoming spin-off series. Reported by Variety with insights from Korean media, the project centers on Ray’s backstory, tracing the decisions and events that shaped the character who relentlessly pursues the film’s protagonist, a former intelligence operative driven by a personal tragedy.
Entitled Ray, the series spotlights Ray’s motivations, methods, and evolving psychology, offering viewers a richer understanding of the antagonist beyond the cat-and-mouse chase that defined the movie. As the narrative unfolds, audiences will encounter a multi-layered portrait of a figure whose actions reverberate through the story world, challenging assumptions about heroism, guilt, and consequence. The series aims to deepen the lore of the original film while preserving the tension and atmospheric mood that fans have come to expect.
Fans will also note the return of the project’s original director, Hong Won Chan, who leads the series and guides its creative direction. In a complementary collaboration, Hong Kyung Pyo, celebrated for work on acclaimed titles such as Parasite, Blazing, and Snowpiercer, handles cinematography. The pairing promises a visually striking, tightly paced narrative that leverages distinctive lighting, composition, and camera movement to heighten suspense and enrich character study.
Production for Ray was slated to begin in 2023, with industry insiders closely watching to see which streaming platform would carry the series. The platform choice remained unannounced at the time, fueling anticipation about distribution and how the spin-off would reach audiences across North America and beyond. The project marks a strategic expansion of the franchise, tapping into sustained global interest in the original story world while exploring fresh storytelling avenues for a wider audience.
Meanwhile, Legacy Netflix had previously signaled momentum for the broader universe, revealing plans for a second season of The Squid Game and hinting at a reality-series concept inspired by the same franchise. This development underscores a continued push to grow the intellectual property through new formats, character explorations, and immersive experiences while preserving the core tension that defined the original phenomenon. The industry has noted that the push into spin-offs and related formats reflects a broader move toward expanding successful franchises beyond their initial installments, inviting long-time fans and new viewers to engage with the world in varied ways.