Cate Blanchett Makes Surprise Cameo in ‘Squid Game’ Series Finale

Warning: Squid Game season 3 and series finale spoilers ahead

The Squid Game series finale didn’t just wrap up the story we’ve been following for three seasons. It also included an A-list cameo that hints at the show’s future.

In the final moments of the series finale, an episode titled “Humans Are…,” the show takes us to Los Angeles, where we see Cate Blanchett, dressed in a suit with her hair slicked back in a ponytail, taking part in some back-alley ddakji.

The Oscar-winning actress is playing a recruiter for a U.S. version of the deadly game, gathering down-on-their-luck participants to compete against one another in the hopes of winning a big cash prize, just like Gong Yoo’s character did for the South Korean version.

Blanchett makes her appearance as the main story, focusing on Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), comes to a close.

After Gi-hun’s death in the final game, In-ho/Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) delivered his belongings to his daughter, Ga-yeong, and informed her that her father is dead.

Among the belongings are Gi-hun’s tracksuit marked by his player number, 456, and a gold debit card, presumably with the remainder of his winnings from his first time in the games.

As In-ho drives through the city, he spots a recruiter (Blanchett) playing ddakji with someone and delivering some fierce slaps. She turns and makes eye contact with In-ho and the two exchange a knowing glance before the man gets up and says he’s ready for another round.

“As you wish,” she says with an evil smirk, as In-ho rolls up his window and is driven away.

Hwang Dong-hyuk, creator of Squid Game, opened up about Blanchett’s cameo in an interview with Tudum.

Hwang, who also wrote and directed every episode of the show, said he “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,” he explained. “We needed someone who could dominate the screen with just one or two words, which is exactly what she did.”

“During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerizing,” he continued. “She was amazing at playing ddakji. I believe she successfully flipped the ddakji with her first try, and we were able to get that one long take right away.”

Hwang added that the Carol actress was the “perfect fit” for the character and that she brought “a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story.”

Hwang has teased the “possibility” of a Squid Game spinoff.

“I cannot just tell right now when and how it’s going to happen,” he told PEOPLE exclusively at the season 3 premiere on June 18. “But there is a chance.”

Could Blanchett’s cameo indicate a U.S.-set spinoff of the South Korean series? If so, would she reprise her role in it? Only time will tell.

Squid Game is streaming on Netflix.