Netflix’s $160M Sci-Fi Show From Game of Thrones Creators Gets Disappointing S2 Update (& It Repeats a HBO Controversy)

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Science fiction shows have become incredibly popular on streaming services recently, but Netflix hasn’t been a leader in that trend. Apple TV+ has been at the forefront, with critically acclaimed series like Severance, Silo, For All Mankind, and Pluribus. Now, Netflix is trying to achieve similar success, and a major part of that effort was 3 Body Problem, their first series created by the team behind Game of Thrones – David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

Based on Liu Cixin’s acclaimed book series, this show follows humanity’s first contact with aliens, leading to worldwide fear, political maneuvering, and widespread disruption. The first season was very popular on Netflix, attracting tens of millions of viewers, and the show has been renewed for two more seasons to complete the story.

Recent news has revealed how many episodes will be in the upcoming seasons of the show, and it might surprise viewers. According to cinematographer Catherine Goldschmidt’s Instagram post and a report from What’s On Netflix, Season 2 will have six episodes—two fewer than the previous season—and Season 3 will conclude the series with just five episodes.

Netflix hasn’t officially confirmed these episode numbers, so they’re subject to change, particularly for season three. If the reported numbers are accurate, it makes you wonder why and how this will affect the show.

What 3 Body Problem’s Reduced Episode Count Means

One reason the first season of 3 Body Problem has fewer episodes might be the show’s cost. Each of the eight episodes reportedly cost around $20 million to produce. If future seasons maintain that high price per episode – which is likely, considering the show’s ambitious scope – reducing the episode count could be a way to manage the overall budget.

The Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy could potentially become a four-season show, with each book initially planned for one season, though the adaptation is already taking some liberties. While the first two books are relatively similar in length, the third is significantly longer and covers a much broader timeframe, adding to the complexity. Back in 2024, the show’s creators, Benioff and Weiss (along with co-producer Alexander Woo), suggested four seasons would be their preferred length.

The decision to shorten the final episodes of the show brings to mind the criticism surrounding the last seasons of Game of Thrones, which was also created by Benioff and Weiss. While those seasons were controversial, there’s reason to be more optimistic about 3 Body Problem. Unlike Game of Thrones, this show has a complete set of source novels to guide the storytelling.

Notably, Seasons 2 and 3 are being filmed consecutively, guaranteeing the show will have a conclusive ending – something not all Netflix series achieve. This also suggests shorter wait times between the seasons – Season 2 of 3 Body Problem is slated for release in 2026 – and maintaining that forward progress could contribute to a stronger finale.

The first season did well overall, though reviews were mixed. It scored a respectable 78% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and 76% from viewers. While it wasn’t a massive hit for the streaming service, it was successful enough. This may have played a role in the current decision, but hopefully, it’s a choice that will ultimately benefit the story and prove worthwhile.

3 Body Problem Season 1 is available to stream on Netflix.

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2026-03-11 15:40