Gambling, revenge, murder, high school drama—Bet has it all. In this new, live-action Netflix series, based on the beloved manga Kakegurui, everything’s a game, and the stakes are high. At the centre of it all is Yumeko, a mysterious gambling pro with her sights set on revenge. Toronto-born actress Miku Martineau was thrilled to take on the role and help bring this beloved manga series to the screen. 

“It’s completely wild and unexpected and new. We’re really bringing the manga energy to life…and Yumeko is such an iconic character,” says Martineau.

From poker and blackjack to DDR faceoffs and egg hunts, there is always a game afoot at St. Dominic’s. At this prestigious private school, underground gambling determines the social hierarchy. Students are ranked based on their winnings and losses, and at the top of the leaderboard is the student council, a powerful posse fuelled by rich parents and big egos.

But when Yumeko arrives, fearless and determined to win, her gambling prowess shakes up the status quo. Reputations are ruined, students and parents drop dead, and threatened by her ascent to the top, the student council plots to take her down. 

Along the way, Yumeko forms her own group of allies and friends. There’s Mary, a former student council member vying to reclaim her spot at the top, Ryan, a kind-hearted, loyal friend with a huge crush on Yumeko, and Michael, a quiet outsider who opts out of partaking in the school’s gambling mayhem. 

With shocking twists, heart-pounding stakes, and thrilling comebacks, Bet delivers 10 action-packed episodes that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

“It really pushes the limit of what you think is going to happen. That’s so manga, so campy,” Martineau says. She assures us that the series will appeal to both original fans of the manga and viewers experiencing the world of Kakegurui for the first time. 

“Anybody can watch it, even if they don’t know the manga,” Martineau says. “Maybe it introduces them to the manga, or maybe they’re like, whoa, this manga style that is so eccentric and animated and wild and visually beautiful is now my thing.”

Yumeko always seems to be one step ahead of her opponents. She thrives on big risks and lives for the thrill of the game, facing even the most intimidating members of student council without hesitation. But behind her unshakeable exterior, she’s haunted by some dark secrets. At six years old, she watched as her parents were killed in a fiery explosion, and ever since, she’s been on a mission to avenge their deaths—which leads her to St. Dom’s.

“In the 17th volume of the manga, we finally understand Yumeko’s very traumatic past,” Martineau says. “Throughout reading the series, I just fell in love with her character…and I love how our show truly dives into what drives her madness.” 

The series isn’t afraid to lean into these deeper themes, as well as some social commentary on the shifting dynamics of wealth, status and power. Martineau recalls one vulnerable scene between Yumeko and Michael that left the entire room in stunned silence.

“That’s why I love acting so much, having those moments where you have just created art, and everybody was affected by it…that gives me a euphoric feeling, and nothing really does that other than acting for me,” she says.

Martineau previously appeared in the assassin thriller Kate and alongside Michelle Yeoh in Star Trek: Section 31, but Bet is her first major leading role, and an incredible showcase of her range and depth. As fans both new and old discover the series, Martineau hopes viewers connect with her portrayal of Yumeko.

“I really did bring this character to life with so much love and care and intention, and so did the entire cast and crew,” Martineau says. “I think when you make a piece of art with so much love and care, it really translates.”

Stream all episodes of Bet on Netflix.