Don’t let this captivating series based on an unbelievable true story fly under the radar
Disney+ is now streaming a six-part series that’s absolutely essential for any fans of Netflix’s hit drama The Queen’s Gambit.
The series starring Anya Taylor-Joy as chess prodigy Beth Harmon captivated millions of viewers during the pandemic and spurred a huge boom in the classic game’s popularity.
Now, the rival streamer has acquired a new drama that originally aired in France last year about an equally gripping chess tournament. The biggest difference? This one’s based on a true story.
Starring Christian Cooke as Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov, this addictive miniseries follows his historic rematch against the first computer to win a game of chess, IBM’s groundbreaking Deep Blue.
Speaking to Express Online about his approach to playing Kasparov, British star Cooke teased the intensity of this incredible true story.
“I equated it to boxing,” he explained. “It really is the same in that it’s one person against another opponent and that’s the kind of mindset.
“With each move you’re kind of sussing your opponent out and trying to lure them in and then jabbing and jabbing and then you go for the kill.
“That was helpful for me, in terms of how he thinks about his opponents and how he might stare them down over the board. Or after a game, you shake hands like boxers who embrace afterwards.”
Elaborating on the challenge on portraying the real life Russian chess pro, Cooke added: “I didn’t want to imitate Garry in any way but I wanted to capture who he was, which is this very focused person with a healthy amount of aggression to succeed and win.
“Or maybe unhealthy, occasionally, but that’s just what it takes to be the top of any discipline, on the top of the tree. You do have to sacrifice a lot and you have to be slightly cutthroat and apologetic and driven, and that’s how he was.”
Disney+ is streaming the series from today (Wednesday, 21st May), but it’s already scored rave reviews from fans who caught the initial release in France last year.
Watch Andor season 2 on Disney+ with two months free
Sign up to Disney+‘s annual Standard or Premium plan and get the equivalent of two months free.
Avoid surprise price hikes by locking in your subscription costs for a year and stream hundreds of beloved films and hit shows, such as Andor season 2.
A five-star review on Google read: “Absolutely amazing. Gripping and exciting until the very last second.”
Another raved: “Captivating. I watched all 6 episodes in one go.”
Someone else gave an ecstatic reaction: “It’s amazing whether you like chess or not, we’re 200% into it.”
An enthusiastic IMDb reviewer called Rematch a “masterpiece”, claiming: “this is [a] high class series.
“Have fun watching it is breathtaking all along the 6 episodes. Interesting high class.
“Worth a 9/10 and up for those who like or don’t like chess you will appreciate it. I watched the 6 [episodes] in a row!!!”
For fans of The Queen’s Gambit – which is pretty much everyone with a Netflix subscription – adding Rematch to the top of your watchlist is an absolute no-brainer.
Rematch is available to stream on Disney+.