"Kind of thing you can tell your mum" — Million Dollar Secret creator Hugill unpacks the show's international success story

Million Dollar Secret Top 4 | Image via Netflix/ Tudum
Million Dollar Secret Top 4 | Image via Netflix/ Tudum

Creator Glenn Hugill is extremely proud of Million Dollar Secret's global success. Global audiences have responded well to the high-stakes social experiment in which one participant secretly holds a million dollars and is required to keep it hidden while others attempt to identify the owner. Its mix of tension, strategy, and emotional manipulation has helped it leap into the fans' favorite in over 50 countries, becoming a smash hit on Netflix.

“Being top 10 in 50 countries feels like the greatest achievement of my life. It’s the kind of thing you can tell your mum,” Hugill said, reflecting on the show's tremendous popularity and cultural influence.

According to Hugill, the show's international appeal stems from its moral complexity and psychological depth. The central conundrum, would you trust your instincts and risk everything, or would you lie to gain a fortune, is relatable to viewers everywhere.

The show is now more than just a game show because of its human drama, slick production, and gripping narrative. It's a discussion starter that appeals to our most basic survival, trust, and financial instincts.


Creator of Million Dollar Secret, Glenn Hugill, reflects on the show's global success

Million Dollar Secret's creator, Glenn Hugill, has always valued unscripted storytelling, but even he was surprised by the show's explosive growth. The Netflix original, which combined deceit, inference, and passion, immediately captivated viewers worldwide. Hugill explained how the show appeals to people from various walks of life while maintaining its foundation in unadulterated, human feeling, saying,

The format of the show, in which one player conceals a million-dollar reward while others attempt to find it, became immediately captivating. Million Dollar Secret reached the Top 10 on Netflix in more than 50 countries within weeks of its debut.

Hugill describes it as a contemporary story about trust and treachery and attributes its success to its high-stakes premise and social depth. The show has been a huge hit in the cutthroat unscripted genre thanks to its strong narrative lens.

Hugill and Wheelhouse, a production business, are building on this momentum by entering creator-led intellectual property and digital entertainment initiatives. He opened up about how the production is expanding and getting into several deals.

"We know how to scale creator-led IP without losing the voice of that creator. And we have already signed some deals and have some deals in the pipeline that we’re hoping to close," the Million Dollar Secret creator said.

With the goal of making Million Dollar Secret a franchise, they are investigating companion formats, interactive media, and licensing opportunities.

After evading significant suspicion and covertly holding the million-dollar prize, Cara Kies emerged as the winner at the end of Season 1. Her post-show disclosures and emotional journey contributed to the show's viral success. Fans are excited to watch how the game develops and who will win the million next, as they anticipate season 2.


Watch all the episodes of Million Dollar Secret season 1 on Netflix now!

Edited by Sroban Ghosh