Netflix’s new sci-fi epic 3 Body Problem features some significant changes from the books, but the cast thinks they’re necessary

2024-03-19

EntertainmentTVSci-Fi Shows3 Body ProblemNetflix’s new sci-fi epic 3 Body Problem features some significant changes from the books, but the cast thinks they’re necessaryWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Netflix)

3 Body Problem

Netflix’s new sci-fi show3 Body Problemis an ambitious adaptation of Liu Cixin’s award-winning trilogy of novels, Remembrance of Earth’s Past. Beginning with ‘The Three-Body Problem’, these take place in a fictional past, present, and future where Earth encounters extraterrestrial life.

Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, alongside True Blood’s Alexander Woo, are behind the adaptation of the books that wereonce called “unadaptable”, and faced the daunting challenge of bringing them to the screen.

In a move to simplify the story, thetrio altered some of the timelines, and locations, and brought in some new characters to this world. Among the biggest changes is the decision to unite the main characters together from an earlier stage, and shift them from China to Oxford in a significant departure from the novels.

While it may prove controversial with fans of the books, it’s a move that the cast of the new Netflix show praises when speaking to GamesRadar+.

Jovan Adepo, who plays scientist Saul Durand in the TV show, says: “I think, what’s really liberating, as you just said, is that it’s an adaptation and this threat that our characters find themselves in, it’s very much a global threat. So if that’s the case, it would be interesting to kind of see how people in different countries, different cultures, different backgrounds, would all come together to experience this moment in time.”

(Image credit: Netflix)

3 Body Problem

His co-star Jess Hong, who plays scientist Jin Cheng, agrees. “I think what’s amazing about that is because in the books the world is so vast and there’s all these different storylines happening everywhere,” she explains. “So to bring it into eight episodes, that’s a huge task and I think that required a lot of centralizing.”

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

The way around this in the series is the introduction of the Oxford Five, a group of scientists brought together when the scientific community comes under threat. “That’s really the emotional core of this whole show,” Hong adds. “It’s a way for people to really relate to the central themes through human characters. So I think they’ve done that brilliantly.”

Another member of this core group of scientists is Alex Sharp, who plays Will Downing, a character brought in earlier in this version of the story. He adds to GR+ that while he still read the novels, he found his time working with the showrunners to be the most useful in developing his character.

“As part of the research when you’re signing onto something, of course, you read the books and try to gather as much information as you can,” he adds. “But the show is different from the books and at a certain point for an actor – for me anyways – it becomes unhelpful to have too much in the forefront of your mind, trying to match something in a piece of brilliant literature that’s been adapted.”

3 Body Problem begins as the group of scientists are brought back together for the funeral of one of their colleagues. As mysterious deaths in their community keep happening, an international investigation opens and uncovers a link to a terrifying decision made decades prior.

The show arrives in full on Netflix on March 21 and features someGame of Thrones stars united on screen again. If you’re looking for more streaming inspiration, check out our guides to thebest Netflix moviesand thebest Netflix showsavailable right now.

CATEGORIESNetflixStreaming Services

Most Popular

Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in Morrowind

Disney Plus' new Spider-Man show is no longer canon in the MCU because it was “not fun” to put limitations on its story

Master Chief’s absence from Halo Wars wasn’t Bungie’s fault, it was a move to make players “care about everybody else” in the RTS

One of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity”

This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC too

League of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane”

After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarming

James Gunn says his DC shows will likely stick to the “one episode a week” schedule moving forward: “It affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed”

Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Lord of the Ring: The War of Rohirrim is heading to digital

Escape the horrors of family time this holiday with Slitterhead’s first ever discount

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

Squid Game season 2

1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Contents