How does Netflix’s The Mole work? Format, rules and more explored

The Mole will be back with a brand new season on June 28, 2024. The reality competition series will see 12 strangers from different walks of life work together and compete in a series of challenges that will, in turn, add money to the prize pot. When the season ends and the winner is declared, the amount accumulated in the prize pot will be rewarded to the winner.

The twist comes with the fact that among the 12 contestants that will compete for the entirety of 10 episodes, there will be a player secretly meant to sabotage the group. As the name of the show suggests, that player is called the Mole, whose sole purpose is to prevent the rest of the group from adding any money to the prize pot.

Throughout season 2, all players must keep their eyes and minds wide open, keeping all the players in check to figure out the liar within the group. A player will be eliminated if they lose track in the periodic quizzes and score the least points, which is meant to recognize the Mole’s identity.

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The Mole - A balance between sabotage and subterfuge

The Mole season 2 (Image via Tudum By Netflix)

The key to success in the show lies in a combination of strategy, observation, and psychological acumen across the 10 episodes. Contestants must constantly evaluate their peers, looking for inconsistencies and subtle hints that might reveal the Mole’s identity. Forming alliances can be beneficial, but players must also be cautious about whom they trust.

The Mole, on the other hand, must blend in with the group while subtly steering them towards failure. This delicate balance of sabotage and subterfuge is what makes the show uniquely challenging and entertaining.

Hosted by the award-winning journalist, Ari Shapiro, this time around with each new set of challenges, the players need to compete with each other, by the end of which they need to take a quiz that tests whether they know the identity of the Mole.

Each player receives a text message individually containing their results. The screen on their phone could either go green or it will turn red. The green on their screen will let them know that they're safe, while if the screen goes red, they will be eliminated from the game.

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The diverse cast of the show

Season 2 cast includes a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds, all aiming to outsmart each other and the Mole. The contestants in this season include:

• Andy Mintzer - Forensic accountant - age 65
• Deanna Thompson - Web sleuth - age 50
• Hannah Burns - Marketing consultant - age 23
• Jennifer - Program analyst - age 28
• Melissa Lummus - Poker player - age 34
• Michael O'Brien - Parking manager - age 30
• Muna Abdulahi - Software engineer - age 24
• Neesh Riaz - Marketer - age 30
• Ryan Warner - Volleyball coach - age 33
• Sean - Stay-at-home dad/Retired undercover cop - age 42
• Antonio "Tony" Castellanos - VIP host - age 24
• Quaylyn Carter - Bus driver - age 41

The show originally aired in 2001 and was rebooted by Netflix in 2022. The first season was won by William Richardson, who managed to successfully identify the liar among them while also contributing significantly to the pot. William's victory came after weeks of intense challenges and strategic gameplay, which the contestants of season 2 will be hoping to emulate for their own journeys.

The new season features competitors whose entire day-to-day jobs are about hiding the truth making it harder for the contestants and the fans to out the liar. The cast features a bona fide web sleuth, poker player, former undercover cop, forensic accountant, and varying personalities, who are all used to dodging questions in their daily lives.

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Netflix’s The Mole season 2 will premiere on June 28, featuring 12 contestants with diverse backgrounds making various team and individual strategies to win the prize. The second season will consist of 10 episodes and will be aired in three separate batches.

With a format designed to keep both participants and viewers guessing, the show hopes to offer an experience that will leave the audiences eagerly anticipating each new episode.