The Circle

Contestants move into the same building but never meet, communicating only through a custom social app where profiles can be real or invented. Over a series of rounds they rate one another, form alliances, and try to win popularity while protecting a strategy. Some players present their true selves, others create convincing catfish personas to gain trust and manipulate votes. Each episode raises the stakes with new twists and social choices, and the most influential players gain power that can change the game. The format keeps the focus on interaction and tactics, so the show is more about social maneuvering and perception than physical challenges or backstory revelations.

Released in 2020, the series was created by Tim Harcourt and directed by Quinn Saunders, with Michelle Buteau serving as host. The setup leans on a simple technological premise and a tight production schedule to stage rounds and confessionals.

The Circle tapped into online conversations about authenticity and how people present themselves on social platforms. It generated memes and watercooler talk about standout contestants and dramatic reveals, and it fed into broader discussions on catfishing, online trust, and performative identity in the era of social media.

Viewers have given the show a decent reaction, reflected in a 6.826/10 average from 95 votes. Reviews often point to the mix of strategy and personality as the driving force, noting the show asks whether social skills or outright deception wins more often. Episodes lean on social dynamics, alliances, betrayals, and the way curated profiles shape perception.

The series hasn’t been a major awards favorite, so it lacks high-profile trophies or widely reported nominations. Still, it found an audience quickly and helped renew interest in reality formats that focus on social strategy rather than physical competition, leading producers to explore similar ideas and spin on the format.