The Three-Body Problem Trilogy Being Adapted for Netflix

Netflix has ordered a new dramatic series inspired by the epic science-fiction trilogy The Three-Body Problem, with David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones) and Alexander Woo (The Terror: Infamy, True Blood) attached.

As part of a deal with rights-holders The Three-Body Universe and Yoozoo Group, Netflix has been granted the rights to produce the English-language series adaptation of the Hugo Award-winning saga from acclaimed Chinese author Liu Cixin.

Benioff, Weiss and Woo will serve as writers and executive producers, along with Bernadette Caulfield (Game of Thrones, The X-Files), who is the newly installed president of Benioff & Weiss’s production company.

Cixin will serve as a consulting producer, along with Ken Liu, who wrote the English translation of the first and third novels in the trilogy (The Three-Body Problem and Death’s End).

Cixin said: “I have the greatest respect for and faith in the creative team adapting The Three-Body Problem for television audiences. I set out to tell a story that transcends time and the confines of nations, cultures and races; one that compels us to consider the fate of humankind as a whole. It is a great honor as an author to see this unique sci-fi concept travel and gain fandom across the globe and I am excited for new and existing fans all over the world to discover the story on Netflix.”

Benioff and Weiss added: “Liu Cixin’s trilogy is the most ambitious science-fiction series we’ve read, taking readers on a journey from the 1960s until the end of time, from life on our pale blue dot to the distant fringes of the universe. We look forward to spending the next years of our lives bringing this to life for audiences around the world.”

Woo commented: “It’s a privilege to be adapting one of the great masterpieces of Chinese science-fiction. The Three-Body Problem trilogy combines so many things I love: rich, multi-layered characters and true existential stakes—all told as an elegant and deeply human allegory. I’m thrilled to kick off my partnership with Netflix with this accomplished creative team.”

Executive producer Lin Qi said: “The Three-Body Universe and Yoozoo Group strive to collaborate with The Three-Body Problem-loving creatives and artists across the globe to create diverse forms of art. ‘To extol civilizations with technology’ is a mission Yoozoo commits itself to, and the saga from Da Liu [Liu Cixin] is exactly a part of that beautiful civilization. We are thrilled to embark on this new adventure with Netflix, a creative powerhouse and a truly global entertainment service that consistently fuels us with outstanding film and television works.”

Caulfield commented: “After working closely with David and D.B. for many years, I’m excited to join their company and embark on this next journey with them and the fantastic team at Netflix. We share the same vision and passion for bringing to life dynamic and grand stories; The Three-Body Problem is uniquely special and similarly ambitious.”

Netflix’s VP of original series, Peter Friedlander, said: “David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo have experience tackling ambitious sagas over time and space. Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman have long dazzled fans with thrilling and mind-bending epics. They are all fierce advocates of The Three-Body Problem. As ardent fans, it was especially meaningful to us to get the support of Liu Cixin who created this expansive universe. We all share the same goal: to pay homage to this incredible story and take members on the adventure of a lifetime.”