It’s the costliest universe Netflix ever built, and it’s finally stirring. So why will the next leap demand more patience than anyone planned?
More than a year after its debut, the lavish adaptation of Liu Cixin from D.B. Weiss and David Benioff is moving into a two-season production plan. With a reported $160 million first season, it remains Netflix’s most expensive science-fiction series. Cameras are slated to roll in Hungary from July 8, 2025 to August 2, 2027, with season 2 eyed for late 2026 or early 2027 and season 3 targeting 2028. At stake is a story that begins amid China’s Cultural Revolution as Ye Wenjie sends a decisive message into space, then ensnares five Oxford physicists through a deceptive virtual reality game that threatens humanity.
The return of Netflix’s biggest sci-fi gamble
Nearly a year after the first season of “3 Body Problem” left viewers spellbound, Netflix has committed to two additional seasons of this ambitious series. However, fans may need to muster patience before they can dive back in, as production aims to match, and hopefully surpass, the monumental success and scale of the initial release. Why the extended wait?
The foundation: a global sci-fi phenomenon
The series, adapted from Liu Cixin’s landmark novel, the first of the Trisolaris Trilogy, brings to life a story rooted in China’s Cultural Revolution. “3 Body Problem” revolves around Ye Wenjie, a physicist whose tragic experiences lead her to signal an extraterrestrial world. Her message sets off a ripple of events bridging science, humanity, and alien civilizations. Guided by the expert hands of D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, creators of “Game of Thrones”, this story has become Netflix’s most expensive sci-fi endeavor to date.
A jaw-dropping budget and a leap into the unknown
Season 1 alone carried an eye-watering $160 million production cost, cementing its reputation as a monumental risk for Netflix. No expense was spared in bringing Liu’s intricate universe to life, a decision that resonated well with its audience. Recognizing its appeal, Netflix confirmed not one but two additional seasons in June 2024. Filming both simultaneously could be a strategic move to reduce gaps between releases, though the sheer complexity of such a decision is evident in its extended timeline.
A timeline that demands patience
According to official plans, filming takes place between July 2025 and August 2027 in Hungary, an extended period reflecting the level of detail required for the series. With this schedule, Season 2 may release by late 2026 or early 2027, with Season 3 following in 2028. Could this drawn-out process test the dedication of even the series’ most loyal fans? Possibly. Yet for those captivated by the immersive storytelling and visual brilliance, it’s a wait that seems more than justified.
Why this matters for fans
The decision to tackle such extensive simultaneous filming is rare, particularly for a sci-fi series of this scale. While it means a delay, it also indicates Netflix’s commitment to a coherent narrative arc. For viewers, this approach might ensure less time is spent waiting between seasons. Until then, there’s plenty to unpack in the intricacies of the series’ plot: virtual realities, existential threats, and philosophical dilemmas tied to humanity’s place among the stars.
For now, though, fans will need to look skyward and wait. The cosmos doesn’t rush its miracles, and neither does quality sci-fi on this scale.