3 Body Problem fans have fallen in love with the new Netflix show and the friendships at the heart of the show are a big reason as to why.
3 Body Problem follows several scientists and a detective facing a threat to the planet after a decision made in 1960s China has consequences in the present. But the friendships make the show tick.
In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, stars Alex Sharp, John Bradley, and Eiza Gonzalez opened up about their on-screen relationships, particularly about male intimacy.
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"I think it’s a really interesting examination into that, actually, because what you get a lot is – especially early on in the first episode – it’s quite a surface thing, in the way men communicate, on a very surface level where it’s teasing, and it’s taking the mick out of each other, and you’re not really discussing things deep," Bradley said.
"And then there’s a moment in the second episode where you see what that bedrock is – what the bedrock of that relationship is – and it’s based on a very real love between them."
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He continued: "I think that’s present in a lot of male friendships, but it takes extreme circumstances for them to tell each other that they love them sometimes. They know they do, but they just don’t say it enough. It’s kind of hidden underneath this surface of banter."
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Bradley summarised that it's in the "extreme circumstances" where you get the chance to tell people how you really feel, which Sharp agreed with.
"I think just generally speaking, there’s a pretty tragic shortage of the ability for men to communicate emotionally, honestly, and vulnerably with each other, I think. That’s the negative of toxic masculinity. It goes in all directions. It’s bad for women, it’s bad for men, it’s bad all-round," Sharp said.
Bradley, who worked with 3 Body Problem creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss on Game of Thrones, told Digital Spy that what elevates a sci-fi or fantasy show to the next level is the care audiences have about the characters at the centre of the story.
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"Because our show is rooted around these five characters who clearly have a great deal of affection for each other, and history between them, you can buy into that, and you just want them to be OK," Bradley said
"The hardest thing to do, I think – it’s such an underrated thing – the hardest thing to do in TV and film is to make people care. I think if you don’t care, then who cares if the world blows up? You have to care about these five, and the other characters, before any of that existential threat really matters."
All episodes of 3 Body Problem are available to stream now on Netflix.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Jacob is a freelance writer who specialises in narrative TV and film.
He graduated from the University of Roehampton with an MA in Journalism and has written for several publications since, including Gold Derby, Insider, and Screen Daily.
Jacob has covered major events in the world of film and TV, including numerous BAFTA ceremonies and the Cannes Film Festival, while he's also been an awards expert for several publications, including Korea's Arirang. His particular areas of interest include Star Wars, the MCU, the Oscars, and Hugh Grant.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
