Topline
The splashy new Netflix science fiction series “3 Body Problem,” an adaptation of the Chinese novel helmed by the “Game of Thrones” showrunners, has faced criticism for setting an originally Chinese story in the United Kingdom and casting a diverse set of actors—though the cast and creators themselves have defended the show as universal and inclusive.
The “3 Body Problem” cast at the series’ premiere. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Key Facts
“3 Body Problem,” which debuted on Netflix last week, has sparked some criticism for taking liberties with the source material: Though the novels take place in China during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, the show is largely set in the United Kingdom.
Much of the main cast is not of Chinese descent and hail from several countries, including the United States (Jovan Adepo), United Kingdom (John Bradley), Mexico (Eiza González) and Ireland (Liam Cunningham).
Few of the main cast members, including Rosalind Chao, Jess Hong and Benedict Wong, are of Chinese descent and play versions of the Chinese characters from the novel.
Some social media users—including some critics from China—reportedly voiced concerns that switching the setting of the Netflix adaptation would risk “Westernizing” the cultural themes of original Chinese novels.
The show has sparked some anger in China—despite Netflix not being available in the country—because of the opening scene where a professor is beaten for defying the government during the Cultural Revolution, which some Chinese viewers reportedly felt was Hollywood portraying the country in a poor light.
Contra
The show’s cast and crew have largely defended it from any whitewashing allegations. Chao, one of the few actors of Chinese descent in the cast, said she feels it is “important to have an international version of the story,” stating it will appeal to a “wider audience.” Wong said the author of the book series, Liu Cixin, gave the showrunners permission to switch the setting and internationalize the casting. Hong dismissed criticisms that the internationalized show would minimize the impact of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on the series, telling NBC News the aspects of the books dealing with the revolution have been “essentially untouched.” She added the actors all being from different countries allows the series to “pull in all of these different storylines into one emotional core, which I think is quite brilliant.” Series creator David Benioff (who also created “Game of Thrones”) said the showrunners wanted to use a “very diverse, international cast to represent the idea that this isn’t just one country’s struggle – it’s a global struggle to survive.”
Key Background
The series is based on Cixin’s “Remembrance of Earth’s Past” trilogy, which begins with his 2008 novel “The Three-Body Problem.” The first novel, set in the past (during the Chinese Cultural Revolution), present and future, depicts a secret military project making contact with a collapsing alien civilization which makes plans to invade Earth. The series is noted for infusing complex scientific topics, like quantum theory and astrophysics, with morality and is credited with bolstering the popularity of Chinese science fiction. Cixin won the Hugo Award, a prestigious award for science fiction works, in 2015 for the English translation of “The Three-Body Problem.” The book and its sequels have reportedly sold more than nine million copies worldwide. The books were adapted into a Chinese television series, “Three-Body,” in 2023 to wide popularity in the country, though the opening scene in the English version of a Cultural Revolution dissident being beaten reportedly does not appear in the Chinese television adaptation.
Tangent
Some American conservatives have praised the series’ opening scene, The Hollywood Reporter reported, comparing the Chinese Cultural Revolution to the “woke” left, whom they accuse of trying to diminish freedom of speech. One user on X compared the scene to people being “forced to attend DEI seminars where they must admit their ‘white privilege,’” garnering more than 50,000 views.
Big Number
$20 million. That’s about how much each episode of “3 Body Problem” cost to produce, reportedly making it the most expensive first season for a Netflix original series ever.
What To Watch For
Whether “3 Body Problem” will be renewed for a second season. The show’s creators told The Hollywood Reporter they have plans for a second and third season—which would adapt the second and third installments in the book series—though Netflix has not yet renewed the show.
Further Reading
‘3 Body Problem’ cast addresses whitewashing criticism from fans of the original Chinese novels (NBC News)
Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’ Draws Fire in China, Praise From U.S. Conservatives (The Hollywood Reporter)
‘Flat and shallow’: Netflix’s 3 Body Problem divides viewers in China (The Guardian)
