Meet the cast of 3 Body Problem on Netflix
Netflix's stellar new sci-fi has an incredible ensemble.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Netflix's 3 Body Problem.
It's the moment that many sci-fi fans have been waiting for – at long last, Netflix's new epic series 3 Body Problem is here.
While the episodes are sure to keep viewers gripped by premise alone, the series also boasts a stellar ensemble cast and features some surprising appearances from well-known faces too including Jim Howick (Ghosts), Mark Gatiss (Doctor Who) and more.
The series is based on the novel by Liu Cixin and has been adapted by Game of Thrones writers David Benioff and DB Weiss alongside Alexander Woo.
Throughout the eight-parter, we follow a group of five scientists who team up with a detective when the world around them stops following the laws of nature. Facing an unknowable threat, they have to do everything they can to save humanity.
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The main cast includes Jess Jong, John Bradley and Jonathan Pryce, as well as Eiza González, Alex Sharp and more.
Recently, creators Benioff, Weiss and Woo opened up about the global cast of characters, which is a big change from the books, as they're very much focused on China.
Woo explained to RadioTimes.com: "The opportunity that [the story] afforded us was that was that we could tell a story about humanity facing a global existential threat from an extraterrestrial civilisation, and if we're going to represent humanity, we should represent all of humanity."
He added: "That that led to the design of the cast being people who are representative of all of the world, with an African American character, Latin American character, characters of Oceania, South Asia, East Asia, Europe, and just about everywhere. That, I think, better represents the world than if we had kept everyone in the People's Republic of China."
3 Body Problem cast: Full list of characters and actors in Netflix show
The following cast members appear in 3 Body Problem. The leading cast consists of both newcomers and recognisable names, with plenty of stars coming to join writers David Benioff and DB Weiss from Game of Thrones.
Meanwhile, various icons from British drama and comedy make an appearance – especially when we see the scenes from the Three Body Problem game.
- Jess Hong as Jin Cheng
- Eiza González as Auggie Salazar
- Jovan Adepo as Saul Durand
- Alex Sharp as Will Downing
- John Bradley as Jack Rooney
- Benedict Wong as Da Shi
- Liam Cunningham as Thomas Wade
- Rosalind Chao as Ye Wenjie
- Marlo Kelly as Tatiana
- Sea Shimooka as Sophon
- Zine Tseng as young Ye Wenjie
- Saamer Usmani as Raj Varma
- Jonathan Pryce as Mike Evans
- Ben Schnetzer as young Mike Evans
- Eve Ridley as Follower
- Mark Gatiss as Isaac Newton
- Reece Shearsmith as Alan Turing
- Conleth Hill as Pope Gregory XIII
- Adrian Edmondson as Denys Porlock
- Phil Wang as Aristotle
- Adrian Greensmith as Galileo
- Naoko Mori as Marie Curie
- Jim Howick as Harry
- Florence Bell as Roxanne
- Bilal Hasna as Edgar
- Yu Guming as Wang Weining
- Gerard Monaco as Collins
- Vedette Lim as Vera Ye
- Deng Quiaozhi as Lei Zhicheng
- Gerard Monaco as Collins
- Aidan Cheng as Reg
- John Dagleish as Felix
- Jason Barnett as Eugene
- Mark Gatiss as Isaac Newton
- Reece Shearsmith as Alan Turing
- Conleth Hill as Pope Gregory XIII
- Adrian Edmonson as Denys Porlock
- Phil Wang as Aristotle
- Adrian Greensmith as Galileo
- Naoko Mori as Marie Curie
- Florence Bell as Roxanne
- Jim Howick as Harry
Read on for more information about each of the characters and every actor in the show.
Jess Hong plays Jin Cheng
Who is Jin Cheng? Jin is a highly intelligent, no-nonsense scientist who has big ambitions. She's fiercely loyal but sometimes struggles to communicate with those she loves. When she puts her mind to something, she'll see it through to the bitter end.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com about Jin, Hong said: "I think it was genius that the guys split up Wang Miao into the Oxford Five so that you end up not with just one removed, really smart character but five - sure, geniuses, but very relatable, flawed characters for the audience to relate to on the whole journey.
"The first time I met [the creators] was on Zoom...they were all so laid back, they were all super chill, and they just wanted to get to know me."
She added: "What they do is they take your little mannerisms and your accent sometimes and they fold it into the character. Jin was never meant to have a Kiwi accent and yet she does. Jin never said, 'Hey buddy' a lot in the scripts before and now she does. I learn that about myself!"
Where have I seen Jess Hong before? Hong's first on-screen credit was in 2019 in the short film Krystal. Since, she's appeared in the TV series The Brokenwood Mysteries and Inked.
Eiza González plays Auggie Salazar
Who is Auggie Salazar? Auggie is one of the five tight-knit scientists and has put her high intelligence to work through her inventions. She's emotional and impulsive, and when the world stops making sense to her, she's left panicking.
Where have I seen Eiza González before? González started her career in Mexican TV shows like Lola: Érase una vez and Sueña conmigo. In 2017, she played Darling in the film Baby Driver, and later appeared in films including Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw and Godzilla vs Kong, and the TV series Mr & Mrs Smith. She has various projects coming up, including one with Guy Ritchie.
Jovan Adepo plays Saul Durand
Who is Saul Durand? As one of the five scientists, Saul is more prone to switch off his emotions and put his guard up. He has a close bond with Auggie.
Where have I seen Jovan Adepo before? Adepo is known for roles including Michael Murphy in The Leftovers, Marcus Bishop in Jack Ryan and Will Reeves in Watchmen.
Alex Sharp plays Will Downing
Who is Will Downing? Will is another of the tight-knit group of scientists, and is a lot more shy than his friends. He has a close bond with Jin.
During the series, Will goes through a series of devastating events, before being enlisted for the Staircase Project - an initiative that would see his brain launched into space.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com about the character, actor Sharp said: "It’s such a simple thing, it’s about a man who loves a woman more than anything else in the world and what he’s willing to do for her.
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"It was very simple and very moving and was quite abstract in playing the scenes, because Will’s not getting involved with the aliens – well, I’m hitchhiking a ride now!"
Where have I seen Alex Sharp before? Sharp's first credit is the 2017 film To the Bone. He has since appeared in the films The Hustle as Thomas Westerburg, The Trial of the Chicago 7 as Rennie Davis, Living as Peter Wakeling and One Life as Trevor Chadwick.
John Bradley plays Jack Rooney
Who is Jack Rooney? Jack is the final of the scientists, but has instead put his efforts into building a snack empire. He doesn't want to take life too seriously - especially when things start making less and less sense around him.
In episode 3, Jack suffers a brutal death at the hands of Tatiana (Marlo Kelly).
Speaking to RadioTimes.com about his character's fate, actor Bradley said: "It became quite daunting, actually. It was a bit like, I’ve got three episodes to make people care that this happens.
"I think making people care is one of the most under-respected and hardest things you can do across the board when it comes to film and TV.
"I’ve got three episodes with a lot of other stuff going on to build enough of a rapport with the audience, so they’ll miss him when he goes."
Where have I seen John Bradley before? Bradley is best known for his role as Samwell Tarly in Game of Thrones. Elsewhere, he played Tyr Seward in Merlin, Colin in the film Marry Me and Max Drummond in the 2023 series Max Drummond.
Benedict Wong plays Da Shi
Who is Da Shi? Da Shi is a no-nonsense detective who is determined to find out who or what is behind the laws of nature suddenly turning upside down.
Where have I seen Benedict Wong before? Wong is best known for his role as the sorcerer Wong in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in films like Doctor Strange and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Wong has also appeared in TV series like Marco Polo, Black Mirror and Deadly Class, and films like Gemini Man and The Martian.
Liam Cunningham plays Thomas Wade
Who is Thomas Wade? Wade is an enigmatic figure who's chief of the PDC Intelligence Agency.
Where have I seen Liam Cunningham before? Liam Cunningham is best known for his role as Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones. He's also known for TV series including Impact Winter, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, The Hot Zone, and he had an appearance in the Doctor Who episode Cold War. Cunningham has also landed roles in films including Pursuit in 2015, War Horse in 2012 and Clash of the Titans in 2010.
Rosalind Chao plays Ye Wenjie
Who is Ye Wenjie? 3 Body Problem follows Ye Wenjie throughout her life - from a youngster in 1960s China to the key role she would go on to play in later life.
Where have I seen Rosalind Chao before? Before 3 Body Problem, Chao played Zhang in Netflix's Sweet Tooth, Tina Tchen in The First Lady, Anna in This Is Us, and appeared in Grey's Anatomy, CSI and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Chao has also had an illustrious career in the film industry, with roles in Mulan, Freaky Friday, Just Like Heaven and What Dreams May Come.
Zine Tseng plays young Ye Wenjie
Where have I seen Zine Tseng before? Aside from 3 Body Problem, Tseng has appeared in the short films On a Whim and Learning English.
Recently chatting to RadioTimes.com, she revealed that she didn't actually consult with Chao on the scenes at all, with Tseng performing the scenes first and Chao taking over once she'd watched Tseng at work.
Marlo Kelly plays Tatiana
Who is Tatiana? Tatiana is a mysterious figure who crops up throughout 3 Body Problem - but can she be trusted?
Where have I seen Marlo Kelly before? Kelly has previously appeared in Home and Away as Sky Peters, as the titular character in Patricia Moore and as Beth Cassidy in Dare Me.
Jonathan Pryce plays Mike Evans
Who is Mike Evans? Mike Evans is a wealthy and mysterious figure who has a lot of backing behind his goals.
Where have I seen Jonathan Pryce before? Pryce has had an illustrious career across TV, film and stage, and is known for roles including David Cartwright in Slow Horses, Prince Philip in The Crown, Martin Blake in One Life, Elliot Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies and Pope Francis in The Two Popes.
Sea Shimooka plays Sophon
Who is Sophon? Sophon is a guide in the 3 Body Problem game.
Where have I seen Sea Shimooka before? Shimooka is best known for her various roles in Arrow, and she's also appeared in various short films.
Saamer Usmani plays Raj Varma
Who is Raj Varma? Raj is Jin's boyfriend and a military officer.
Where have I seen Saamer Usmani before? Usmani will be recognisable to fans for various roles, including Martin in Reign, Avery Watkins in What/If, Chris in Succession and Chase in Inventing Anna.
Eve Ridley plays Follower
Who is Follower? Follower is a character in the Three Body Problem game. Players are instructed to save her at all costs.
Where have I seen Eve Ridley before? Eve Ridley is a relative newcomer to the industry, but has a voice credit in Peppa Pig and has appeared in Casualty.
Mark Gatiss plays Isaac Newton
Who is Isaac Newton? The influential English polymath who is best known for discovering the laws of gravity. Newton appears briefly in the series as a character in the Three Body Problem game.
Where have I seen Mark Gatiss before? Mark Gatiss is known for numerous productions - but is another Game of Thrones alumni, having starred as Tycho Nestoris in the HBO series. Other notable roles include starring in Sherlock, Nolly, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, as well as having written several Doctor Who episodes and the revived Ghost Story for Christmas.
Reece Shearsmith plays Alan Turing
Who is Alan Turing? Turing was a highly influential mathematician and computer scientist, known to many as the father of modern computing. Turing appears in the series as a character in the Three Body Problem game.
Where have I seen Reece Shearsmith before? Shearsmith is known for being a member of The League of Gentlemen with Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Jeremy Dyson. He starred in, created and wrote Psychoville as well as Inside No. 9 with Pemberton. He has also starred in Saltburn, Good Omens and See How They Run.
Conleth Hill plays Pope Gregory XIII
Who is Pope Gregory XIII? The former head of the Catholic church, the pope is another historical figure who makes an appearance as a character in the Three Body Problem game.
Where have I seen Conleth Hill before? Hill is another familiar Game of Thrones face in the 3 Body Problem cast, having starred as Varys in the HBO series. He has featured in a variety of shows and films, including Dublin Murders, Vienna Blood, Holding and The Lovers.
Phil Wang plays Aristotle
Who is Aristotle? The Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath makes an appearance as a character in the Three Body Problem game.
Where have I seen Phil Wang before? The stand-up comedian and writer is known for his appearances in shows such as Taskmaster, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Would I Lie to You? and Have I Got News For You. He also has a Netflix comedy special entitled Phil Wang: Philly Philly Wang Wang.
Adrian Greensmith plays Galileo
Who is Galileo? The Italian philosopher, astronomer and mathematician is known for inventing an early version of the thermometer and making significant improvements to the telescope. He appears as a character in the Three Body Problem game.
Where have I seen Adrian Greensmith before? The actor is best known for starring as one of the leads, Arthur, in Harlan Coben's Shelter and has also starred in Metal Lords.
Naoko Mori plays Marie Curie
Who is Marie Curie? The physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research into radioactivity and was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She is one of the historical figures who appears as a character in the Three Body Problem game.
Where have I seen Naoko Mori before? Mori is known for her roles in Doctor Who, Torchwood and Absolutely Fabulous, having also featured in McDonald & Dodds, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and The Chelsea Detective.
Florence Bell plays Roxanne
Who is Roxanne? Roxanne is the manipulative sister of Will (Alex Sharp) and is married to Harry (Jim Howick). Together, they try to get Will to leave them a large sum of money after his death.
Where have I seen Florence Bell before? Bell has starred in 2022 TV series War of the Worlds, as well as The End of the F***ing World, Clink and Strike.
Jim Howick plays Harry
Who is Harry? Harry is Roxanne's husband and together, they attempt to get Will to leave his inheritance to them as he's dying with cancer.
Where have I seen Jim Howick before? The actor and writer is best known for his roles in Ghosts, Horrible Histories and Yonderland, as well as Sex Education and Here We Go.
3 Body Problem released on Netflix on Thursday 21st March. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
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