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British actor Benedict Wong, widely recognized for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and acclaimed films like “The Martian” and “Sunshine,” has ventured into the realm of the Netflix series “3 Body Problem.” Wong, portraying a pivotal character in the show, revealed his initial attraction to the project stemmed from the immense popularity of its source material, the trilogy of novels by Chinese author Liu Cixin.
Expressing his fascination with Cixin’s books, which have garnered a dedicated following including notable figures like former US president Barack Obama and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Wong explained, “This trilogy of books are incredibly popular in China, and George R R Martin, Barack Obama, and Mark Zuckerberg are its fans. So, it piqued my interest and I devoured the first two books.”
Describing the challenge presented by the intricate scientific concepts explored in the novels, Wong embraced the opportunity to bring these narratives to life on screen. He remarked, “The first one was so science heavy. It was a massive challenge of how this is going to be filmed and I love a challenge. So I picked up the gauntlet and took on the quest with all of them.”
“3 Body Problem,” adapted into an eight-episode series currently available on Netflix, is the brainchild of renowned creators David Benioff, DB Weiss, and Alexander Woo, known for their work on “Game of Thrones.”
Recalling his introduction to the project, Wong shared, “I didn’t know of the story. I just kind of got contacted that Dan and Dave and Alex wanted to see me whilst I was filming Dr. Strange. And I was just very intrigued that there were three showrunners needing to take on this massive project.”
In the series, Wong portrays Da Shi, a London-based detective tasked with investigating mysterious deaths linked to top scientists worldwide. His dynamic rapport with co-star Liam Cunningham, who plays Thomas Wade, adds depth to the narrative, offering a blend of light-hearted moments amidst the darker themes explored in the show.
Reflecting on his experience working alongside Cunningham, Wong expressed admiration for his fellow actor, remarking, “I’ve been a massive fan of this guy. He was my tennis partner, dance partner, and ice skating partner. It’s a real pleasure once that sort of environment is there. It allows even more to play.”
“3 Body Problem” boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Eiza Gonzalez, Jonathan Pryce, Tsai Chin, John Bradley, Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo, and Sea Shimooka, as it navigates themes of existential threats and moral dilemmas across different time periods and locations.