Netflix orders Three-Body Problem series from Benioff & Weiss, Woo

Netflix has ordered a drama series adaptation based on The Three-Body Problem trilogy, the bestselling Chinese sci-fi book series by Liu Cixin.

According to a report by Variety, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo are set to write an executive produce the series which will adapt all three books in the trilogy – The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death’s End. The book series is also sometimes known as Remembrance of Earth’s Past and it explores an alternate history where the Earth exists in a universe that consists of three solar-type stars orbiting each other.

More prominent names are involved with the project including executive producers Rian Johnson, Brad Pitt and Rosamund Pike and consulting producers Cixin and Ken Liu, who wrote the English versions of the first and third books.

Vice president of original series at Netflix, 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.”

Game of Thrones showrunners Benioff and Weiss shared their excitement about the project, saying:

“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.”

The Terror: Infamy show runner Woo also expressed his enthusiasm about the series, saying:

“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.”

Series author Cixin Liu shared thoughts about the adaptation:

“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.”