Netflix's ‘3 Body Problem’ is Up For Some Major Emmys Thanks to Its Stellar Cast
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There's nothing like a new science fiction obsession to get you doing homework mid-binge. The Netflix series 3 Body Problem, based on the novel by Liu Cixin, was adapted by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss–the same men who brought you Game of Thrones on HBO. Remember how long it took (if you're not a book reader, obvi) to learn all of the characters on that show? This new series is no different. Here's what you need to know about the characters in 3 Body Problem before you hit play on Netflix.
The series is about the mysteries of time and space, and also has a murder mystery element. At the center of this mystery is the "Oxford Five," a group of physics students assembled by one of the deceased, an Oxford professor named Vera Ye (Vendette Lim). The five students have since gone their separate ways. Between the "Oxford Five," the people in their lives, the special agents investigating the deaths, and a mysterious attendee at Vera's funeral we have our ensemble cast.
Oh and that ensemble cast? Well, they're all now part of an Emmy-nominated series after the series gained six nominations for the 2024 ceremony. If you're wondering who might be there on behalf of the show, keep scrolling below!
Rosalind Chao and Zine Tseng as Ye Wenjie
Ye Wenjie is a genius astrophysics student who witnessed her father's murder in the 1960s. She believes in science the way others believe in religion. It gives her a sense of faith, purpose, and connection in the world.
Chao is a science fiction veteran. She played Keiko O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She was also in The Joy Luck Club and played Mulan's mother in the live-action Mulan.
Instagram: @chao_time
Benedict Wong as Da Shi
Da Shi is a former MI5 agent tasked with investigating the deaths of leading scientists worldwide.
You almost certainly know Wong as, well, Wong in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has appeared in Doctor Strange, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, She-Hulk, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and more. He's been in other science fiction films like The Martian, Sunshine, and Annihilation. He played Kublai Khan in the Netflix Marco Polo series. He's everywhere!
Instagram: @wongrel
Jovan Adepo as Saul Durand
Saul is the theoretical physicist in the "Oxford Five," but isn't passionate about it and worries that he's past his prime. He's also the only one who stayed by Vera's side.
Adepo had a significant role in the 2022 film Babylon as a trumpet player named Sidney Palmer. You've also seen his work in shows like Sorry for Your Loss, The Stand, and Watchmen.
Instagram: @jovanadepo
Jess Hong as Jin Cheng
A particle physicist and member of the "Oxford Five," Jin gets involved with a VR game when forces beyond her control pause her research.
Hong is a relative newcomer whose previous credits include The Brokenwood Mysteries and Inked.
Instagram: @jessthehong
John Bradley as Jack Rooney
Another of the "Oxford Five," Jack left academia to be a snack food entrepreneur and millionaire fanboy.
The first of a few Game of Thrones alums in this new series, Bradley played Samwell Tarly for all eight seasons. He recently appeared in the 2022 films Marry Me and Moonfall.
Instagram: @johnbradleywest
Eiza González as Augustina "Auggie" Salazar
Like Jack, Auggie quit Vera's course after the "Oxford Five" assembled, but she didn't drop out. She changed disciplines, and now runs The Nanotechnology Research Centre.
González starred in the Michael Bay movie Ambulance alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. You may also recognize her from Godzilla vs. Kong, Hobbes and Shaw, and/or Baby Driver.
Instagram: @eizagonzalez
Alex Sharp as Will Downing
The final member of the "Oxford Five" suffers from imposter syndrome and unrequited love.
Sharp appeared recently in films like One Life, Living, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. He's also an accomplished stage actor who won a Tony Award in 2015 for his leading role in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Instagram: @alexsharp_official
Liam Cunningham as Thomas Wade
Thomas Wade leads a mysterious intelligence operation and is Da Shi's boss.
Cunningham is another Game of Thrones alum. He played Davos, aka the Onion Knight. And I remember from my Game of Thrones days that a lot of people remember him as the dad from A Little Princess.
Instagram: @liamcunningham1
Jonathan Pryce and Ben Schnetzer as Mike Evans
Evans, who like Ye Wenjie appears in past and present storylines, is a disillusioned environmentalist who grew up to run his father's oil company. Pendulums don't swing much farther than that, do they?
Pryce is the last of the Game of Thrones cast in the main cast of this new series. He played The High Sparrow in Season 5 and Season 6. You may also recognize him as Elizabeth Swann's father in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and Prince Phillip in the later seasons of The Crown. Ben Schnetzer (pictured above) plays the younger version of Mike. He starred in the movie Pride or the Hulu series Y: The Last Man.
Instagram: @benschnetzer
Marlo Kelly as Tatiana
A "follower" of Mike Evans who befriends Auggie.
Kelly is an Australian actor who starred in the Aussie series Home & Away as well as the Peacock series about the Tiger King, Joe vs. Carole, as Jamie Murdock.
Instagram: @marlokelly
Sea Shimooka as Sophon
Sophon is a character in the VR game with a lot of power.
Shimooka played Emiko Queen on Arrow.
Instagram: @seashimooka
Saamer Usmani as Raj Varma
Raj is a naval officer and Jin's boyfriend.
Usmani's credits include Reign, Succession, What/If and Inventing Anna.
Instagram: @saamertime
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