Netflix's '3 Body Problem' is an adaptation of Liu Cixin's 'Remembrance of Earth's Past' trilogy of novels. The show, created by the team behind 'Game of Thrones' and 'True Blood,' diverges from the source material in significant ways.
The series shifts its focus from China to a global stage, with modern-day sequences primarily set in England. This change results in a more diverse, global cast compared to the predominantly Chinese characters in the books.
Major differences between the books and the show include character adaptations. For instance, Wang Miao from the novels is split into two characters in the show: Auggie and Jin Cheng. Auggie, played by Eiza González, works on nanofiber technology and sees a countdown, similar to Wang Miao's experience. Jin Cheng, portrayed by Jess Hong, plays a key role in the virtual reality game.
Another character shift involves Cheng Xin and Will Downing, who correspond to characters from the later books in the series. Cheng Xin proposes the Staircase Project in the books, while Will Downing takes on a similar role in the show.
The alien colonizers, referred to as 'trisolarans' in the books, are called the 'San-Ti' in the show. The ETO in the books is simplified in the show, with Mike Evans and Ye Wenjie playing prominent roles in the organization.
Sophons, sentient supercomputers in the series, are represented differently in the show compared to the books. Sophon, played by Sea Shimooka, takes on a physical form in the show as the game master.
The show's use of silver, metallic headsets as a virtual reality interface differs from the V-suit in the books. The headsets in the show provide a hyper-realistic experience for the users.
These changes in character adaptations, plot elements, and technological representations contribute to a unique viewing experience for fans of Liu Cixin's novels. '3 Body Problem' is now available for streaming on Netflix.
