The_Circle_(American_TV_series)_season_3
The Circle (American TV series) season 3
Season of television series
The third season of the American reality competition streaming series The Circle began on Netflix on September 8, 2021, and concluded on September 29, 2021.[1] The season was announced in March 2020 when Netflix renewed The Circle for a second and third season. Michelle Buteau returned as host.
| The Circle | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
Promotional poster | |
| Presented by | Michelle Buteau |
| No. of days | 15 |
| No. of contestants | 13 |
| Winner | James Andre Jefferson Jr. |
| Runner-up | Matthew Pappadia |
| Fan Favorite | Keisha "Kai" Ghost |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Netflix |
| Original release | September 8 (2021-09-08) – September 29, 2021 (2021-09-29) |
| Season chronology | |
| List of episodes | |
Like the previous seasons, players compete against each other to become the most popular, but do not actually meet their competitors. Instead, they communicate through a specially designed app and are able to portray themselves in any way they choose.[2] In August 2021 ahead of the season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth and fifth season.[3]
On September 29, 2021, the season was won by James Andre Jefferson Jr., who had played the game as himself, and won the US$100,000 prize that came along with it. Matthew Pappadia as "Ashley" was the runner-up. Keisha "Kai" Ghost won the Fan Favorite award and US$10,000.
The contestants, or "players", move into the same apartment building. However, the contestants do not meet face-to-face during the course of the competition, as they each live in their own individual apartment. They communicate solely using their profiles on a specially-designed social media app that gives them the ability to portray themselves in any way they choose. Players can thus opt to present themselves as a completely different personality to the other players, a tactic otherwise known as catfishing.[4]
Throughout the series, the contestants "rate" one another from first to last place. At the end of the ratings, their average ratings are revealed to one another from lowest to highest. Normally, the two highest-rated players become "Influencers", while the remaining players will be at risk of being "blocked" by the Influencers. However, occasionally there may be a twist to the blocking process – varying from the lowest rating players being instantly blocked, the identity of the Influencers being a secret, or multiple players being blocked at one time. Blocked players are eliminated from the game, but are given the opportunity to meet one player still in the game in-person. A video message is shown to the remaining players to reveal if they were real or fake the day after.
During the finale, the contestants rate each other one final time, where the highest rated player wins the game and US$100,000. Also, fans of The Circle are able to vote for their favorite player. The player that receives the most votes is known as the Fan Favorite and receives US$10,000.
| Name[5] | Age | Hometown | Playing as | Entered | Exited | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Rider | 52 | Pacolet, South Carolina | Herself | Episode 1 | Episode 3 | Blocked | |
| Ava Marie Capra | 25 | The Bronx, New York | Ava, but not revealing the presence of her sister Chanel in the game |
A clone of "Michelle" |
Episode 1 | Episode 5 | Blocked |
| Chanel Marie Capra | 42 | ||||||
| Calvin Kiing Crooks | 30 | Miami, Florida | Himself | Episode 1 | Episode 7 | Blocked | |
| Rachel Ward | 24 | Los Angeles, California | "Jackson", her best friend's boyfriend | Episode 3 | Episode 9 | Blocked | |
| Ruksana Carroll | 35 | Union, New Jersey | Herself | Episode 1 | Episode 9 | Blocked | |
| Daniel Cusimano | 20 | Palm Harbor, Florida | Himself | Episode 1 | Episode 11 | Blocked | |
| Jacki Jing | 33 | Los Angeles, California | Herself | Episode 9 | Episode 12 | Blocked | |
| Nick Uhlenhuth | 27 | Louisville, Kentucky | Himself, but as a drummer | Episode 1 | Episode 13 | Fifth place | |
| "Vince", a ghost hunter[lower-alpha 1] | |||||||
| Keisha "Kai" Ghost | 30 | Nashville, Tennessee | Herself | Episode 1 | Episode 13 | Fourth place | |
| Sophia Layne | 22 | Fort Walton Beach, Florida | "Isabella", her older sister | Episode 3 | Episode 13 | Third place | |
| Matthew Pappadia | 29 | Long Island, New York | "Ashley", his best friend, but bisexual | Episode 1 | Episode 13 | Runner-up | |
| James Andre Jefferson Jr. | 30 | Los Angeles, California | Himself, but single | Episode 6 | Episode 13 | Winner | |
Future appearances
In 2023, Calvin and Nick competed on the first season of Perfect Match.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Day(s) | Original release date [1] | Prod. code [6] | Ref. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | ||||||||||||
| 26 | 1 | "Circle, Did You Miss Me?" | Day 1 | September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08) | TC-301 | [7] | ||||||
|
The first eight players (Matt, Calvin, Nick, Kai, Ruksana, Michelle, Daniel & Ava & Chanel) enter the apartment building and create their profiles.
The players rate each other based on first impressions from first to seventh. Calvin & Kai place in the top two spots, however The Circle reveals that Kai would be the sole influencer. She ultimately decides to block Ava & Chanel from The Circle. | ||||||||||||
| 27 | 2 | "A New Twist" | Days 1-2 | September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08) | TC-302 | [7] | ||||||
|
Ava & Chanel are given the opportunity to clone another player to continue playing the game, they ultimately choose Michelle and re-enter The Circle as "Blue Michelle" leaving the original Michelle as "Orange Michelle". The Players have 1 day to decide which Michelle to keep in The Circle.
| ||||||||||||
| 28 | 3 | "Identity Theft" | Days 2-3 | September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08) | TC-303 | [7] | ||||||
|
Orange Michelle is blocked with a unanimous vote. Before leaving, she is able to visit another player and chooses to visit Blue Michelle. Later, two new players ("Isabella" & "Jackson") enter The Circle and are able to talk to each other before meeting everyone else.
Isabella & Jackson settle into The Circle, Jackson starts a private chat with Kai and flirts with her.
| ||||||||||||
| 29 | 4 | "A Flirtatious Alliance" | Days 3-4 | September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08) | TC-304 | [7] | ||||||
|
The players rated each other from first to sixth. New players "Isabella" & "Jackson" rate the others but cannot be rated.
After the game, the players' ratings are revealed: Kai places second while Ruksana places first. Both influencers chat at the hangout and decide who to block. | ||||||||||||
| Week 2 | ||||||||||||
| 30 | 5 | "The Real Michelle" | Days 4-5 | September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15) | TC-305 | [8] | ||||||
|
Kai visits Michelle after deciding alongside Ruksana to block her, learning that she is not the real Michelle and is instead Ava & Chanel. Later, the players learn that Orange Michelle was the real Michelle, and that Blue Michelle was the clone, after both give their goodbye messages.
| ||||||||||||
| 31 | 6 | "A New Member of the Wolfpack" | Days 5-7 | September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15) | TC-306 | [8] | ||||||
|
New player James enters The Circle. He is tasked with inviting the other players to a chat one by one: his first pick is Kai, while his last pick is Nick. Later, the players are tasked to rate each other, James can rate but cannot be rated. Isabella and Ashley become influencers. | ||||||||||||
| 32 | 7 | "Shock Blocking" | Days 7-8 | September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15) | TC-307 | [8] | ||||||
|
Ashley and Isabella reveal to the other players that they have decided to block Calvin. Before leaving, Calvin visits Kai, and then picks Nick as the receiver of a secret advantage: a second profile. "Vince" joins The Circle with Nick now playing two different profiles. The players participate in "The Circle Camping Trip". | ||||||||||||
| 33 | 8 | "Full Out War" | Days 8-9 | September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15) | TC-308 | [8] | ||||||
|
The players rate each other from first to seventh (as a new player, Vince rates the others, but cannot be rated): Nick places first, while Daniel places second. They both get to choose one player to block. | ||||||||||||
| Week 3 | ||||||||||||
| 34 | 9 | "Ghostbusting & Catfishing" | Days 9-10 | September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22) | TC-309 | [9] | ||||||
|
The influencers' choices to block are revealed: Daniel decides to block Jackson, while Nick decides to block Ruksana. "Jackson" visits Nick, revealing herself to actually be Rachel. Nick confides with Rachel that "Vince" is his burner profile, received as a parting gift from Calvin. Meanwhile, Ruksana visits Daniel. In the morning, "Vince" is removed from the game right before the Circle reveals to all remaining players it was a burner profile handled by an existing player. New player Jacki joins the game.
| ||||||||||||
| 35 | 10 | "A Circle Divided" | Days 10-11 | September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22) | TC-310 | [9] | ||||||
|
James brings Jacki up to speed on what has happened in The Circle in the time he has been there. The two main alliances left in The Circle (James, Kai and Daniel on one side; Nick, Ashley and Isabella on the other) each try to bring Jacki to their side before the other alliance does, resulting in her receiving simultaneous group chat invites from the two trios and choosing James's group over Nick's. Jacki later explains the situation to Nick to clear the air with him. After being the top two players in the latest ratings, James and Nick become influencers, having to choose one player to block. | ||||||||||||
| 36 | 11 | "Choosing Sides" | Days 11-12 | September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22) | TC-311 | [9] | ||||||
|
James and Nick decide to block Daniel. When Daniel is allowed to visit a player, he chooses Isabella (Sophia) who shares her story with him. After the circle votes for the yearbook, there was a circle prom. At the circle prom the players all told their plans for the money if they were to win.
| ||||||||||||
| 37 | 12 | "The Final Stretch" | Days 13-14 | September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22) | TC-312 | [9] | ||||||
|
The circle members all received messages from home. Nick, Kai, and James discussed a final three agreement in a group check. Players were allowed to ask one savage question of another player anonymously. The final rating/blocking is decided by secret influencers, James and Nick. They choose to block Jacki and James delivers the information in person. | ||||||||||||
| Week 4 | ||||||||||||
| 38 | 13 | "Finale" | Day 15 | September 29, 2021 (2021-09-29) | TC-313 | [10] | ||||||
|
The players are treated to spa baskets as they chat in their circle chat and get ready for the final ranking. Players now must decide whether to vote strategically or with their hearts. After voting, they are invited to their final circle chat - in person. Nick is stunned when he meets Isabella (Sophia). The entire group admits they were fooled by Ashley (Matthew). Everyone goes to the penthouse to reunite with the previously blocked cast members and the winner is crowned. | ||||||||||||
This player was blocked
This player was an influencer
This player was immune from being blocked
This player was blocked, but returned under a different profile
The player was at risk of being blocked following a twist
| Episode 1 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 6 | Episode 8 | Episode 10 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James | Not in The Circle |
Exempt | 4th | 1st | Not published |
Winner (Episode 13) | ||||
| Matthew "Ashley" |
=4th | Michelle to block |
=5th | 1st | 3rd | 4th | Not published |
Runner-up (Episode 13) | ||
| Sophia "Isabella" |
Not in The Circle |
Exempt | 2nd | 7th | 6th | Not published |
Third Place (Episode 13) | |||
| Kai | 1st | Michelle to block |
2nd | 3rd | 8th | 3rd | Not published |
Fourth Place (Episode 13) | ||
| Nick | =4th | Michelle to block |
3rd | 4th | 1st | 2nd | Not published |
Fifth Place (Episode 13) | ||
| Jacki | Not in The Circle |
Exempt | Not published |
Blocked (Episode 12) | ||||||
| Daniel | 3rd | Michelle to block |
4th | 7th | 2nd | 5th | Blocked (Episode 11) | |||
| Ruksana | 7th | Michelle to block |
1st | 6th | 6th | Blocked (Episode 9) | ||||
| Rachel "Jackson" |
Not in The Circle |
Exempt | 8th | 5th | Blocked (Episode 9) | |||||
| Calvin | 2nd | Michelle to block |
=5th | 5th | Blocked (Episode 7) | |||||
| Ava & Chanel "Ava" |
"Michelle" | 6th | Not eligible |
7th | Blocked (Episode 4) | |||||
| Michelle | 8th | Not eligible |
Blocked (Episode 3) | |||||||
| Notes | 1, 2 | 2, 3 | none | 4, 5 | none | 6 | 7 | |||
| Influencer(s) | Kai | none | Kai, Ruksana |
Matthew, Sophia |
Daniel, Nick |
James, Nick |
James, Nick |
none | ||
| Blocked | Ava & Chanel "Ava" Sole Influencer's choice to block |
Michelle 6 of 6 votes to block |
Ava & Chanel "Michelle" Influencers' choice to block |
Calvin Influencers' choice to block |
Rachel "Jackson" Daniel's choice to block |
Daniel Influencers' choice to block |
Jacki Secret Influencers' choice to block |
Nick Lowest rated player |
Kai Fourth highest rated player | |
| Ruksana Nick's choice to block |
Sophia "Isabella" Third highest rated player |
Matthew "Ashley" Second highest rated player | ||||||||
| James Highest rated player | ||||||||||
Notes
- ^Note 1 : After the ratings were revealed, the players were alerted that Kai would be the sole influencer and must block someone by herself. She ended up choosing Ava.
- ^Note 2 : After Ava was blocked, Ava and Chanel were given a second chance to play but had to clone another player, and ended up choosing to clone Michelle.
- ^Note 3 : Both Michelle's were at risk of being blocked. The other players were tasked with voting one to be blocked, and the Michelle with the most votes was blocked from The Circle.
- ^Note 4 : After being blocked in Episode 7, Calvin had to choose one player to give a secret advantage to. Calvin chose Nick, giving him the power of a second profile known as "Vince", although he still kept his original profile.
- ^Note 5 : In Episode 9, "Vince" was revealed to be the second profile of an existing player and removed from the game.
- ^Note 6 : The players' ratings were not revealed, instead the top two players would become secret influencers. James & Nick both placed the highest.
- ^Note 7 : The players made their final ratings.
- Pedersen, Erik (August 19, 2021). "'The Circle' Season 3 Premiere Date Set At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood.
- Thorne, Will (March 24, 2020). "Netflix Orders More 'Love Is Blind,' 'The Circle,' 'Rhythm + Flow' and Marie Kondo". variety.com. Variety. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- White, Peter (August 9, 2021). "'The Circle', 'Indian Matchmaking' & 'The American Barbecue Showdown' Renewed At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood.
- Kuchera, Ben (January 10, 2020). "Netflix's The Circle is the sweetest reality show about catfishing". Polygon. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- "Meet The Circle's Season 3 Cast". Entertainment Weekly. August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- "The Circle Episode Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
- Reid, Kristen (September 8, 2021). "'The Circle' Season 3 - Week 1 Episodes 1-4 Recap". Vulture.
- Reid, Kristen (September 15, 2021). "'The Circle' Recap: Rankings Are Dropping Like It's Hot". Vulture.
- Reid, Kristen (September 22, 2021). "'The Circle' Recap: The Winding Road To Finale Night". Vulture.
- Reid, Kristen (September 29, 2021). "'The Circle' Finale Recap: Still Gay As Sin". Vulture.