3 Body Problem Creators Reveal How Many Seasons They Need to Tell the Complete Story

Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are taking their epic book adaptation skills from one major streamer to another with Netflix’s upcoming 3 Body Problem. As high fantasy as the HBO series was, this one takes science fiction to a global level, based on the bestselling trilogy by Liu Cixin. The show celebrated its world premiere at SXSW, where Collider’s Steve Weintraub sat down with the showrunners and series writer Alexander Woo (True Blood) to pick their brains on the behind-the-scenes of helming something so massive, and what the future of the series looks like.

When the showrunners and writer stopped by Collider’s media studio, the trio were forthcoming with their hopes to continue exploring this trilogy. Times are trying for fans of TV series on streamers, but after the success of their previous work, Benioff likens Cixin's 3 Body Problem to George R.R. Martin's "surprising" material. Of their plans to continue, and what fans can expect after the Season 1 finale, he goes on to say:

"There are three books. The first season roughly follows the arc of the first book, and the second season would probably roughly follow the second book. The third book is massive. It's twice as long, I think, as the other two books, so maybe that's one season, maybe it's two. But I think we'd need at least three, maybe four seasons to tell the whole story. It's a beautiful ending. I think all three of us thought that the last page of Liu Cixin’s epic was maybe the best final image we'd encountered in a sci-fi saga like this. It's incredibly moving and mind-blowing, and so we’re desperate to get to the end. That means, hopefully, if enough people watch it that Netflix will renew us and give us a couple more years."

What Is '3 Body Problem' About & Who's In It?

Beginning with the catalyst in 1960s China, 3 Body Problem explores how one woman’s fateful decision had a ripple effect that spanned across time. The show features the Oxford 5 played by John Bradley, Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo, Eiza González, and Alex Sharp. It also stars Liam Cunningham, Benedict Wong, Zine Tseng, and Rosalind Chao.

Check out the full interview in the video above for more on Benioff and Weiss' plan to move forward, where they are in the development of Season 2, creating relatable characters we care about, the changes from the book to the screen, the reasons behind them, and tons more.

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[BenRangel]

So the answer is: "3-4 seasons" (because the last book is so massive it might take more than 1 season)

[Blynat]

Great show and great interview. Thanks!

[BaldAndCurious]

"the characters are three dimensional"... now THAT's foreshadowing.

[ravissary]

As a lover of the books, I'm really enjoying this adaptation.

[TheTrackRecord]

Loved it so much. Hoping for season 2.

[athanatic]

Almost all of the Character we care about is not really in the books so much (and I LOVE THEM!) but the GoT folks know their thing!

[MichaelBoogerd]

08:00 that's a good point, there is a foreboding enemy... but one we don't actually get to see on screen (save for Sophon); and that scene with Red Riding Hood that Jonathon Pryce performs is indeed powerful. A kid's story betrays the true (two-faced) nature of the human race. Damn.

[Darth_Sepharious]

I really didn't like D&D and I gotta admit, I'm a bit salty over Game of Thrones, but I've forgiven them for it. Folks aren't perfect but I'm glad that this series has turned out so good with a strong first season and I'm the book reader type.

[glennhobson]

Really enjoying it. Can't wait for next season

[shyshy]

I love the show so far. Just kinda worry about the Einstein joke plot won't be as convincible as in the book.

[dominikakaminska]

@netflix, yes. Please proceed to renew for seasons 2-4+

[SachinJames]

They missed out the entire thing about the Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO)... Would have loved turmoil and tug between the factions of Adventists, Survivors & Redemptionists... Just wished the show was longer 10 to 13 episodes long to include all the details from the book...

[ynnadanny]

Has anyone figured out what scene they're talking about, when they say they did a reshoot?

[mkinvincible]

Great series. Well acted and funny. However, I'm afraid I have to disagree with the concept that the characters are what makes you follow the episodes. To me, it Is the storyline and the science. The book's author said the plot is what holds the story well.

[lloydrobinsoniii]

So did they actually say how many seasons they need to tell the whole story?

[Siegbert]

13:17 "One of the things GOT did so exceptionally well was doing things the audience did not see coming"
Are you sure about that? I mean, yes that's what they did, but did they do it "well"?

[bigred]

can't understand why the ending of the first season ended so abruptly without a satisfying conclusion.

[ItsFlenz]

The answer is 3-4 seasons. There, saved you 19 minutes.

[planetg]

I mean, swearing like he does, it's so basic. Hate to be interviewed by frosty

[brunogoodma]

I'll call this series the 2D Problem. They have achieved it, made a 10x bigger production budget be worst than a chinese low budget production. Another series based in a novel these 2 haven't understood, or liked, or respected. Book is 100x better for those who wonder, the chinese series is much better. They took it as a summer time job rather than the challenge to adapt one of the greatest sci-fi novels of all times. 3/10 at best. Praying they change them for others more commited before is too late, or Apple takes it over, only a miracle will save this projects future.