Since its release on Netflix on October 23, "The Queen's Gambit" (open in new tab) has wasted no time in gaining fans and creating quite a buzz. Viewers and critics alike (including us) have been gushing over Anya Taylor-Joy's mesmerizing performance (open in new tab) as Beth Harmon, the lead actress who went from orphan to world-renowned chess grandmaster in the 1960s.

Directed by Scott Frank, "The Queen's Gambit" has an unparalleled pace, a deft examination of gender politics, brilliance in character development, a quietly devastating portrait of addiction (opens in new tab), and a chess game that is truly succeeds in making it exciting (a feat in itself). Needless to say, the film features a talented Hollywood cast, including Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Harry Melling, and Marielle Heller.

So it is no surprise that viewers are already wondering (and hoping) that the show will return one more time. Here is everything we know about the possibility of a "Queen's Gambit" Season 2.

Executive producer William Hoberg told Deadline (open in new tab): "It's great to know that people love the show and want to spend more time with these characters. We felt that the series had a satisfying endpoint and that viewers could fill the space for what happens next with Beth Harmon."

The first season of The Queen's Gambit was adapted from Walter Tevis' 1983 novel of the same name. The show's plot closely tracks the book, so there is no further source material for the second season. Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies, and The Handmaid's Tale are popular series that have been able to continue beyond their print adaptations (for better or worse).

Taylor-Joy told T&C (opens in new tab) that she would "never" reprise the role for which she recently won a Golden Globe, but that she appreciates how her character arc was resolved." I love the character and would certainly return to her if asked. I'm sure the rest of her life will be an adventure, but she will continue her quest to find some kind of peace, some form of satisfaction in being herself in this work. I think it will end up in a good place."

Harry Melling (you may recognize him as Dudley Dursley from the Harry Potter films) was similarly open to reprising his role as Harry Beltick, one of Beth's competitors turned lovers turned friends." A part two of "The Queen's Gambit" would be a great idea. Where you end up in a limited series is where you end up in a book," he said. I don't know if there's a next one, but stranger things have happened."

Even if everyone was on board for a second season, it would be a while before new episodes could be binge-watched. For one thing, since the series is based on a novel, Frank and his team would have to work with the family of the late Tevis to devise a continuing storyline. For another, even if the show is picked up for future episodes, it's hard to imagine when the lead actress would have time to film those episodes. and admitted that she has already begun work on her next project, "The Northman," directed by Robert Eggers. She will also appear in a prequel to Mad Max: Death Road to Fury.

In a somewhat surprising development, Level Forward announced that it has acquired the stage rights to Tevis's novel and plans to stage a musical adaptation of Beth's story. Audiences have already shared in the friendship and fortitude of the inspiring women who energize and sustain Beth Harmon's journey and ultimate triumph, as told through a brave and fresh perspective." This story is a siren's call in our modern struggle for gender and racial equality, and we look forward to moving the project forward."

Level Forward has previously announced that it is working on a new film, which will be directed by Taylor-Joy, who has previously worked on Jagged Little Pill and Oklahoma.

Becker and Danetz have not yet revealed any details about casting (Taylor-Joy has dance experience) and whether or not a director is attached to the project. They also have not said whether a director is attached to the project. It is also unclear whether the project will be an adaptation of an existing work only, or whether a stage version will delve into Beth's later life.