Netflix’s BET is a live-action adaptation of the hit manga Kakegurui. The Knockturnal chatted with star Hunter Cardinal exclusively about this unique new take on the beloved series.
From creator Simon Barry, the creative mind behind Warrior Nun, BET is a gripping blend of psychological intrigue, strategic mind games, and adrenaline-pumping action. This series is a treat for hardcore Kakegurui fans and newcomers alike.
Cardinal, who plays Michael, an original character, shines among the cast, bringing depth to this brilliant yet mysterious student navigating the dangerous world of high-stakes gambling.
BET is based on Kakegurui, a manga created by Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura, which also had a successful anime adaptation. The series focuses on a boarding school where the only way to advance is to gamble your life in high-stakes versions of casino games.
Cardinal was familiar with the Kakegurui manga but wanted to bring freshness to the source material on the set of BET, while also honoring the original.
I like to think that our role as a cast and a group of creative artists was to honor the spirit of the manga and the source material. You can’t improve on perfection. That stuff’s perfect. But what we can do is try to honor it as best as we can through, you know, trying to not play less risky games of mimicry.”
With such a devoted fan base to the original material, Cardinal explains the layered themes and motifs that would make even the most seasoned Kakegurui fans view BET in a different light.
I really feel like it’s for the young adult inside all of us that never got resolution. You know, the part that was promised, maybe safety or fairness, or that good things will happen to those that we love. And then we realized, oh, wait, that was just a gamble too”.
On keeping up with the show’s fast-paced gambling scenes, Cardinal elaborated on his experience.
So when we’re actually filming it, it was again, really ferociously and rigorously making sure that we were hitting the beats that needed to, that we were creating space for there to be play and spontaneity and discovery as well.”
In the series, the school of St. Dominic’s Prep is defined by a strict hierarchy that can only be changed by playing games.
In the game of life, Cardinal proclaimed what he is willing to gamble, more specifically, the gamble of morality.
It’s actually like the [moral] compass in and of itself is a wager. It’s a best bet of what we think at the time is right and wrong. And sometimes that can shift depending on the circumstance. And really, it becomes this larger game of trust.”
BET is now streaming on Netflix and was renewed for a second season.
