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3 Body Problem on Netflix: Game of Thrones creators’ blockbuster new series premieres in London

Off the back of the global phenomenon that was Game of Thrones, its creators have just dropped their hugely ambitious new series.

Official trailer for Netflix's 3 Body Problem

The stars of Netflix’s ambitious, big-budget new sci-fi series, 3 Body Problem, have hit the red carpet in London for its premiere.

Along with Doctor Strange’s Benedict Wong, Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez, and New Zealander Jess Hong, a chunk of the remaining co-stars – John Bradley, Jonathan Pryce and Liam Cunningham – made up a mini Game of Thrones reunion.

<i>Game of Thrones</i> alum Liam Cunningham, Sir Jonathan Pryce and John Bradley star in the new sci-fi thriller. Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images
Game of Thrones alum Liam Cunningham, Sir Jonathan Pryce and John Bradley star in the new sci-fi thriller. Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images

And it’s no big surprise: 3 Body Problem was created by D.B. Weiss and David Benioff (along with True Blood’s Alexander Woo) – the same duo behind the television phenomenon that captivated millions for the better part of a decade.

Inside Netflix's immersive UK premiere of 3 Body Problem

Wednesday night’s premiere, held at iconic art venue Frameless in the British capital, featured immersive rooms based on themes from the dystopian series.

Jess Hong, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Sir Jonathan Pryce, John Bradley, Alex Sharp and Benedict Wong at the <i>3 Body Problem</i> premiere in London. Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images
Jess Hong, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Sir Jonathan Pryce, John Bradley, Alex Sharp and Benedict Wong at the 3 Body Problem premiere in London. Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images

3 Body Problem, based on the popular series of novels by Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin, begins in China in the 1960s when a young woman makes a fateful decision that has far-reaching consequences across space and time.

As the laws of nature that bind society begin to fracture as a result, a close-knit group of scientists join forces to take on the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.

Season one has just launched on Netflix. Picture: Netflix
Season one has just launched on Netflix. Picture: Netflix

Season one, which was reported to have cost around $160 million USD, spans multiple different decades and realms of existence, from China’s Cultural Revolution to modern-day Britain, to the vast virtual reality world.

Jess Hong and John Bradley. Picture: Netflix
Jess Hong and John Bradley. Picture: Netflix

The scope of the fantasy portion of the series was always going to be challenging for the cast – even more so than what was present during the blockbuster Thrones series.

“The thing about this show that I think makes it more ambitious and a bigger scope than Game of Thrones, is that [Thrones] was set in one place at one time,” Bradley told news.com.au of comparing his roles as Thrones’ Samwell Tarly and 3BP’s physicist and entrepreneur, Jack Rooney.

“We’re going back in time, we’re going into this virtual reality video game, we can show any point in history … We’re only bound by our imaginations. I don’t think many actors will have had the experience we’ve had.”

New Zealander Jess Hong agreed, pointing out they were working with “the best of the best” production crew.

“So the set department would build like half a castle, or fill an entire studio with sand … or the costume department made sure you had every little detail, so that you had something tangible to hold onto,” she said.

The full first season of 3 Body Problem is available to stream in Australia from Thursday, March 21.

Originally published as 3 Body Problem on Netflix: Game of Thrones creators’ blockbuster new series premieres in London

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/television/3-body-problem-on-netflix-game-of-thrones-creators-blockbuster-new-series-premieres-in-london/news-story/422896b7c4066db7817081ec967ef52c