Summary

• Stephen King raves about Netflix's sci-fi series, 3 Body Problem, calling it "extraordinary."
• Critics and audiences alike have praised 3 Body Problem, with season 1 scoring 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The show's success on Netflix has solidified the likelihood of season 2 to continue adapting Liu Cixin's trilogy.

Stephen King raves about Netflix's "extraordinary" sci-fi adaptation, 3 Body Problem. From Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, the sci-fi series follows a fateful decision made in 1960s China that reverberates across space and time and forces a group of scientists in the present day to face an existential threat to the planet. The 3 Body Problem cast includes Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Rosalind Chao, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Jess Hong, Marlo Kelly, Alex Sharp, Benedict Wong, and Jonathan Pryce.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Stephen King shared his 3 Body Problem review, calling it "extraordinary, sprawling, thought-provoking, immersive" and said the scenes of "first contact" are especially "chilling and awe-inspiring." Check out his full post below:

King's full post reads as follows: "THE 3 BODY PROBLEM (Netflix): Extraordinary science fiction series--sprawling, thought-provoking, immersive. The scenes of "first contact" are chilling and awe-inspiring."

How Has 3 Body Problem Been Received?

Stephen King Isn't The Only One Praising The Sci-Fi Series

While King frequently uses his platform to elevate movies or TV shows that have been overlooked, 3 Body Problem reviews from critics and audiences alike have been largely positive. In fact, season 1 has identical 79% scores on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and audiences, indicating how well the sci-fi series has been received by both groups. After Game of Thrones season 8 was poorly received, with much criticism directed at Weiss and Benioff's writing, there was much concern about the quality of their next adaptation.

After coming in second its first week, the series dominated Netflix's Global Top 10 chart in its second week, finishing in first place with 115.6 million hours viewed and 15.6 million total views.

However, 3 Body Problem season 1 has quelled those concerns almost entirely. Reviews have praised Weiss and Benioff for taking on the dense and complicated source material with remarkable enthusiasm, creating a strong start to the series that has simultaneously excited audiences while leaving them wanting more. Critics have also praised the sci-fi series for tackling towering ideas about intellectual exploration and human relationships and making them accessible for audiences.

3 Body Problem has also seen significant viewership on Netflix. After coming in second its first week, the series dominated Netflix's Global Top 10 chart in its second week, finishing in first place with 115.6 million hours viewed and 15.6 million total views. Considering this critical and commercial success, it's likely that 3 Body Problem season 2 will happen to continue adapting Liu Cixin's trilogy of books. King is just the latest to add on to the praise of 3 Body Problem, but well over a month after its release, it seems to be coming a little late.

If 3 Body Problem Season 2 Happens, It Could Be Even Bigger

And It Could Revolve Around An Ominous Scientific Theory

The critical and commercial success of season 1 bodes incredibly well for the prospects of season 2, though Netflix has not officially renewed it yet. The streamer is likely waiting to gauge the show's full viewership before deciding on its renewal, as they often rely on long-term data to determine a show's success. Just because a series appears in Netflix's Top 10 during its first two weeks doesn't guarantee it will be renewed, especially considering 3 Body Problem's big $160 million budget, which makes it the most expensive Netflix series per episode.

Despite this uncertainty, its co-creators have concrete plans for a second season. In an interview, Benioff and Weiss teased 3 Body Problem season 2, saying that they have "better than a rough idea" and are further along "than rough idea stages." Weiss also mentioned that "there’s so many amazing landmarks" in the third book that "are the reason [they] picked these books up and wanted to adapt them in the first place." Read his full comments on season 2 below:

For season 2, we’ve got better than a rough idea. We’re much farther along with that plan than rough idea stages. From there on out it becomes, you know, the farther away things get the hazier your view of them is. But there, in the third book, there’s so many amazing landmarks, in terms of scenes and situations and events that we can see pretty clearly, that we know, we’re not completely sure how our characters are gonna get to that place, but we know they gotta get to that place.

Because that place and that place and that place are the reason we pick these books up and wanted to adapt them in the first place. We understand— I think, it’s hard to see eight episodes of something you like and then have it disappear for a long period of time. But it’s really kind of, the only way we can imagine doing it is one season at a time.

If renewed, most of the cast could return for season 2. The first season closely followed the structure of the first book, introducing many of the key characters and concepts that will continue to be explored later on. However, there are a few characters who won't be returning, such as Dr. Will Downing (Alex Sharp) and Mike Evans (Jonathan Pryce), whose stories ended tragically. Furthermore, the unexpected death of Jack Rooney means that John Bradley won't be back in season 2. Every cast member and character expected to return in season 2 include:

Based on Liu Cixin's trilogy, 3 Body Problem season 2 is expected to draw inspiration from The Dark Forest. Similar to the first book, the title refers to a scientific theory, specifically the idea that the universe harbors countless alien threats that elude detection, and that humanity is unaware of the full extent of the danger looming around them. From a narrative standpoint, season 2 should delve into the development of the Wallfacers, with Dr. Saul Durand continuing to take center stage.

The title, The Dark Forest, hints at a heightened threat looming over the entire story, something far more immediately dangerous than the planned San-Ti Invasion set centuries in the future. The potential revelation of Earth's location to the San-Ti suggests that other hostile alien forces may also be aware of the planet's vulnerability. While nothing is definite yet for season 2, it's clear that 3 Body Problem season 1 is just the beginning of a much bigger story.

Source: Stephen King/X