Cate Blanchett's cameo in the Squid Game finale explained: Who is The Recruiter?

Cate Blanchett, the most Oscar-nominated Australian actor, has won the hearts of millions worldwide with her performances in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Thor: Ragnarok. Recently, she made a cameo in the finale of Squid Game season 3, leaving fans surprised and excited at the same time.

The long-awaited third season of the hit survival thriller series premiered on the streamer on June 27, 2025, with all six episodes. The finale had plenty of surprises for fans, including the character arcs of Player 456 and Player 001 coming full circle. However, what stood out even more was Cate Blanchett's unexpected appearance at the end.

After handing over Gi-hun’s belongings to his daughter, the Front Man/Hwang In-ho was leaving downtown Los Angeles. While waiting at a red light, Hwang heard some unmistakably familiar sounds in a nearby alley - two ddakji tiles hitting the ground, followed by a slap.

When he rolled down his window, he saw a suited-up Blanchett playing the game with a seemingly desperate man. Blanchett shared a knowing look with Hwang before his car pulled away, allowing her to turn her attention back to the poor man in the alley who was willing to play the game again.

Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk on why he cast Cate Blanchett in Squid Game season 3

Since its 2021 premiere, Squid Game has become one of Netflix’s most acclaimed series, earning six Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. Squid Game season 3 marks the end of the dystopian South Korean TV series, but the cliffhanger ending has left people hopeful for its future.

During a conversation with Netflix's in-house publication Tudum, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk opened up about his decision to cast Cate Blanchett as a woman recruiter for the titular competition. He said:

"We thought having a woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing. And as for why Cate Blanchett, she’s just the best, with unmatched charisma. Who doesn’t love her? So we were very happy to have her appear. We needed someone who could dominate the screen with just one or two words, which is exactly what she did."

Dong-hyuk further said he felt that if Gong Yoo was the Korean recruiter, Blanchett would be perfect as the American recruiter. He was also impressed by how the actress left an impact even with her limited screen time.

"During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerizing. She was amazing at playing ddakji," Hwang Dong-hyuk said.

He also claimed that Blanchett was able to flip ddakji on her first try, which allowed the cast and crew to get that one long take right away.

What does Cate Blanchett's Squid Game season 3 cameo mean for the show's future?

Cate Blanchett’s appearance as the American recruiter for the deadly games in the Squid Game season 3 finale has opened the door to numerous possibilities, including the potential for an American spin-off and a broader franchise expansion.

Blanchett's cameo could be Netflix's strategic move to the stage for an interconnected multiverse of Squid Games across the globe, each reflecting the unique horrors of inequality within their respective societies.

Squid Game is available to stream on Netflix.