3 Body Problem is a new sci-fi epic that's now streaming on Netflix.
The award-winning creators behind Game of Thrones (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss) are following up the HBO fantasy phenomenon with an adaptation of Cixin Liu's celebrated sci-fi novel, The Three-Body Problem, which sees a group of scientists joining forces to confront a new threat to humanity.
To bring the story to life, Benioff and Weiss have teamed with Emmy-nominated writer and producer, Alexander Woo (True Blood) to bring this mind-boggling story to life. It's a tale that spans timelines and continents and could well become one of the best Netflix shows of the year.
Here's what we know about 3 Body Problem right now, including the cast, release date, and all the latest gossip
3 Body Problem release date
3 Body Problem is now available to stream on Netflix. The series premiered on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
They are coming. And there’s nothing you can do to stop them.3 Body Problem arrives March 21. pic.twitter.com/spQ21dZLHCMarch 7, 2024
3 Body Problem episode guide
Below, you can find short episode summaries for the season, along with links to our more detailed 3 Body Problem episode recaps.
- 3 Body Problem episode 1, "Countdown": Unsettling events put a group of brilliant friends on edge as a mystery unravels with origins tracing back to China during the Cultural Revolution.
- 3 Body Problem episode 2, "Red Coast": Auggie's countdown jeopardizes her nanotech work. Jin becomes engrossed in an otherworldly VR game. Ye Wenjie follows through on a radical idea.
- 3 Body Problem episode 3, "Destroyer of Worlds": Obsessed with their virtual reality quest, Jin and Jack race to solve a complex riddle — but advancing to the next level brings harrowing consequences.
- 3 Body Problem episode 4, "Our Lord": Jin seeks justice after a death rattles the group. Investigators learn of an extremist group devoted to an otherworldly entity ahead of major summit.
- 3 Body Problem episode 5, "Judgment Day": As threat levels rise, a secret mission to retrieve enemy intel ventures into dangerous territory. An ominous message reaches Earth.
- 3 Body Problem episode 6, "The Stars Our Destination": With the world in a state of panic following a momentous declaration, Wade fathers the world's greatest minds to prepare a defense plan.
- 3 Body Problem episode 7, "Only Advance": A bold proposition for the Staircase Project puts the group at odds. Will weighs his options. Ye returns to a familiar place.
- 3 Body Problem episode 8, "Wallfacer": A high-level operation upends Saul's life. With emotions and expectations high, the probe launches into space as humanity enters a daunting new era.
3 Body Problem cast
Being a story that spans continents and timelines, 3 Body Problem features a diverse, international cast of stars. The confirmed list includes:
- Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange, Marco Polo) as ex-intelligence officer, Da Shi
- Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones, The Last Voyage of the Demeter) as Wade, the leader of the world's most elite intelligence operation
- Jovan Adepo (Sorry For Your Loss, The Stand) as Saul Durand, a gifted physicist and one of the "Oxford Five"
- John Bradley (Game of Thrones, Moonfall), a skilled scientist who used his physics degree to build a snack empire, and a member of the "Oxford Five"
- Eiza González (Ambulance, Baby Driver) as Auggie Salazar. A nanotech trailblazer, and another of the "Oxford Five"
- Jess Hong (Inked, The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Jin Cheng, genius theoretical physicist and one of the "Oxford Five"
- Alex Sharp (The Trial of the Chicago 7, One Life) as Will Downing, a sixth-form physics teacher who is also part of the "Oxford Five"
- Zine Tseng and Rosalind Chao (The First Lady, Better Things) as Ye Wenjie, an astrophysics prodigy who is at the heart of the mystery
- Saamer Usmani (Inventing Anna, What/If) as Raj Varma, a naval officer who is dating Jin Cheng
- Sir Jonathan Pryce (The Crown, Wolf Hall) and Ben Schnetzer (Y: The Last Man, Pride) as Mike Evans, an environmentalist turned billionaire oil tycoon.
- Marlo Kelly (Joe vs) Carole, Home and Away) as Tatiana, a member of Mike's organization
- Sea Shimooka (Arrow) as Sophon, an avatar who appears within a VR Game at the heart of the show
- Eve Ridley (Casualty) as Follower, a 9-year-old whom Jin encounters inside the game
3 Body Problem plot
Netflix has produced a handy summary of the 3 Body Problem plot, one which still preserves the mystery of what's to come.
"The story begins in 1960s China, when a young woman makes a fateful decision that reverberates across space and time into the present day. When the laws of nature inexplicably unravel, a tight-knit group of brilliant scientists must join forces with an unflinching detective to stop humanity's greatest threat. 3 Body Problem is an epic story that redefines sci-fi drama with its layered mysteries and story of human connection".
You might notice that the show has made some creative changes to the original story, including switching up characters and some locations from the books. Those changes include making some changes to the timeline of the story, some additions, and switching the story primarily over to being based in the UK. However, a Tudum article explains that the three creators got Cixin Liu's blessing when it came to adapting his work.
Benioff said: "We have a tremendous love and respect for the books. You can't devote every waking moment of your life for years on end to adapt a piece of work that you don't love.
"So it's very important to us that the show stand on its own two legs and work for people who have read the books — and for people who haven’t read the books.”
Is there a 3 Body Problem trailer?
Our final 3 Body Problem trailer arrived on March 7, and it hints at the alien presence that is coming to the planet. It asks what we think is happening... and that's a pretty apt question! Look forward to getting to the bottom of this mystery when the series arrives.
The official 3 Body Problem trailer arrived in early January. Beginning with the tease that someone (or something) is targeting and killing scientists, it sees our cast banding together to try and find out what's coming for them, and scrambling to see if there's a way to stop them. Check it out below:
As part of Netflix's 2023 Geeked Week promotion, we were treated to a clip from the series.
The clip begins with a sizzle reel of everything to come, before settling on an exchange between Jack Rooney (John Bradley) and Jin Cheng (Jess Hong). being shown what appears to be a virtual reality helmet by
Our first teaser for 3 Body Problem came in June 2023. Check it out here:
What else is there to know about 3 Body Problem?
If you get hooked on 3 Body Problem, you can take an even deeper dive into the show with the official companion podcast hosted by Jason Concepcion and scientist, educator and TV presenter D. Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
Each episode will go behind the scenes on 3 Body Problem and illustrate some of the real science behind it.
