In our interview with Benedict Wong and Liam Cunningham, actors of Netflix’s 3-Body Problem series, we asked them what we were curious about.
Netflix’s 3-Body Problem has been released. We also had the chance to interview six actors of the series at a press conference. First in line are Benedict Wong (Da Shi) and Liam Cunningham (Thomas Wade). We also recommend you to take a look at our 3-Body Problem First Look article.
Netflix 3 Body Problem Starring Benedict Wong and Liam Cunningham
– What impressed you most in the story? I think you portrayed your character very well. Do you believe that you can reflect your character on the screen the way you want? (for Liam Cunningham)
Liam: 100% sure. However, I am not the architect of this character. It was put forward by David and Alev. They are very good at what they do. When you open the page, you can be sure that you will not correct something or bring something that is not there. What you have to do is serve what they put on the page, because words are absolutely beautiful and can build the scene. I think they’re like no one else I’ve worked with. They are extraordinary. I’ve been very lucky to work with good writers over the years. But these guys are definitely the best. I am very lucky.
Netflix 3 Body Problem: Liam Cunningham
– Your characters are very different but they have the same goal. What do they have in common and how does their relationship develop?
Wong and Cunningham: Both dedicated to the greater good. Their work is hidden from the government. We give orders, implement them and get the results. We have a structure that cannot be fit into a container or a piece of paper. They are very effective and their dedication to their work never decreases. And this is what will find the game. Also, these two are so different that this is the meaning between them. They’re almost like friends. The path they follow is so directed that obstacles are just a stepping stone for them. They absolutely reject defeat.
– You also worked with Alex and David in Game of Thrones. How did they reach out to you to help navigate this project?
Cunningham: I was working on another Hollywood project at the time. I got a call from them. They explained the project to me in a one-minute conversation. How could this be a project? Maybe it could be completed in a few weeks, maybe nothing would come of it. Later, when I read the script, I realized it was an “epic story.” Later I realized that these roles were written especially for us. We later met in Manchester. There wasn’t much intellectual conversation between us and I said, “Give me (that role).”
– How did it feel to be a part of such a series? We don’t have enough details about Da Shi. Why does he know so much about what happened in the story? (for Benedict Wong)
Wong: When I was first called, Dr. I was on set for the Strange project. They didn’t give me the story first. There was a script that introduced the character and it was like my Wikipedia page had been copied. When I talked to the writers David and Alex afterwards, I saw how big and global the story was. An Asian character living in Manchester was good for me. This is great for me because I rarely get to play someone closer to home. I’m really looking forward to this incredible fantasy series and where we go with it.
Netflix 3 Body Problem: Benedict Wong
– Do you think we are insects serving salvation or destruction?
Cunningham: That’s a good question. I think if the aliens took binoculars and looked, they would close the windows and doors and leave. I don’t think we deserve to be visited by intelligent, alien life until we stop acting like children, stop killing each other, and start taking care of people less fortunate than ourselves, and when we grow up we should think we deserve a visit from an intelligent alien species right now. We don’t deserve to treat the climate this way. We don’t deserve to be on this planet, so we need to grow and we haven’t done that yet.
-What genre do you think your show should belong to?
It is very easy to evaluate it as science. It starts with tension and dissolves. Species stories, elemental worlds, the narrow but actually very important reality of our world. I think that’s the main thing. We bring science into it because this is the future of the human race, and the only thing that will save us in our story is humanity coming together using signs to fuel an existential threat.