A new unscripted show is catching the eye of Netflix subscribers thanks to its tantalising premise. The New Stanford Prison Experiment revisits one of psychology’s most controversial experiments, employing extra safeguards this time around.
With 2.6 million views this week, the series is currently among the most-watched titles on the platform. Additionally, it cracked the Top 10 in 14 countries. Could more episodes be on the way? Here’s what we know so far.
The New Stanford Prison Experiment Season 2 Release Date
At the time of writing, there’s no official news about a potential The New Stanford Prison Experiment season 2.
While people seem interested in checking in out, the series has been met with skepticism by the critic community. Still, the title isn’t listed as a limited series, so a follow-up isn’t out of the question. If it happens, new episodes could arrive next year.
The New Stanford Prison Experiment Cast
- Alison Wood Brooks
- Trymaine Lee
- Michael Cantrell
What Is The New Stanford Prison Experiment About?
The original Stanford Prison Experiment was conducted in 1971 by American psychologist Philip Zimbardo. Its purpose was to investigate how social roles and unequal power influence human behaviour. However, it was terminated after just six days, following concerns about the participants’ psychological well-being.
A similar premise anchors The New Stanford Prison Experiment. Thirty volunteers enter a prison facility for two weeks. They are randomly divided into two groups, with eight participants acting as guards and the remaining 22 playing the prisoners. From there, cameras monitor them closely.
The series also features experts who bring different perspectives to the show. Alison Wood Brooks is a psychologist and professor, Trymaine Lee is an experienced journalist, and Michael Cantrell is a retired federal corrections professional.
As the experiment progresses, the balance of power begins to shift. Conflicts emerge, and changes in leadership further complicate the group dynamics. That said, this is very much still a reality show, so it can be tricky to suspend disbelief as you watch the participants navigate their new circumstances.
While The New Stanford Prison Experiment season 2 isn’t a sure bet, the six episodes streaming might give you some stuff to chew on.
Are There Other Shows Like The New Stanford Prison Experiment?
If you found The New Stanford Prison Experiment intriguing, check out some of the other unscripted shows on Netflix.
Recent additions include Tyson, Love Is Blind, Death of the Pastor’s Wife, and Wonka’s The Golden Ticket. You might also like Squid Game: The Challenge.
