Game Of Thrones Creators’ New Netflix Show Already Has A Major Season 2 Problem

Summary

• Benioff and Weiss shine with successful storytelling, even as Netflix’s sci-fi series faces challenges for season 2.
• Despite early success, 3 Body Problem’s hefty budget raises concerns about its long-term profitability for Netflix.
• The slow-burn show can still bounce back in its second week, with hope for renewed interest and potential for a season 2.

Despite getting favorable reviews, Game of Thrones creators’ new Netflix sci-fi series has a major season 2 problem. David Benioff and D. B. Weiss experienced extreme highs of success with the first seven seasons of HBO’s Game of Thrones. However, season 8 proved to be a hiccup in their journey as showrunners because of its poor critical reception. However, even though Game of Thrones‘ final season was not as successful as its predecessors, Benioff and Weiss maintain a good reputation for their ability to perfectly traverse George R. R. Martin’s books to the small screen in the HBO show’s early seasons.

David Benioff and D. B. Weiss have now joined forces again for a Netflix science fiction series, which has also been adapted from a book series. Since their Netflix show has primarily received positive reviews from viewers and critics, it cements that the two are capable of delivering captivating storytelling as long as they have an existing blueprint. However, their new Netflix sci-fi series still faces a season 2 challenge that it has to somehow overcome.

3 Body Problem’s Week 1 Performance Is Only Slightly Better Than 1899’s

3 Body Problem’s week 1 data does not promise its renewal

After Dark‘s success, Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar’s 1899 was touted as another sci-fi hit for Netflix. However, despite all the hype surrounding its release, 1899 was canceled by the streaming giant soon after its season 1 premiere. Game of Thrones creators’ 3 Body Problem is also among the streamer’s most hyped and highly anticipated science fiction shows in recent years, raising concerns surrounding its future on the streaming platform. Fortunately, one week after its release, 3 Body Problem is performing better than 1899.

Four days after its release (via What’s On Netflix), 3 Body Problem ranked the second most-watched English-language series, with an 81.70 million-hour watch time and approximately 11 million views. 1899, in comparison, had a little below 11 million views in its first week and even Resident Evil, which was also canceled after season 1, was not slightly lower than 3 Body Problem four days after it landed on Netflix. Since 3 Body Problem is a little ahead of two other big-budget Netflix sci-fi shows that were canceled after their opening seasons, it is hard not to be cautiously optimistic about its future.

3 Body Problem’s Budget Is Nearly Two Times More Than 1899’s

3 Body Problem’s massive budget could spell trouble for its future

While it is relieving that 3 Body Problem is performing better than 1899, its budget raises some concerns surrounding how profitable it will ultimately be for Netflix. As per reports (via DWDL.de), the budget for 1899 was around €60 million ($62.2 million), out of which €2 million came from a film funding body called Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, €10 million was funded by the German Motion Picture Fund, and €48 million was invested by Netflix. Despite having a significantly high budget, 1899 was prematurely shut down by the streamer after its opening season.

Since 3 Body Problem is only slightly ahead of 1899 in viewership four days after its premiere and its budget is more than twice that of 1899, questions loom over whether the science fiction series will be able to justify its hefty budget for the steamer.

Compared to 1899, 3 Body Problem has almost double the budget. According to reports, the Game of Thrones creators’ show cost Netflix $160 million, with each episode having a budget of $20 million. Since 3 Body Problem is only slightly ahead of 1899 in viewership four days after its premiere and its budget is more than twice that of 1899, questions loom over whether the science fiction series will be able to justify its hefty budget for the steamer.

3 Body Problem Needs To Perform Better In Its 2nd Week To Get Renewed

3 Body Problem’s can still save itself from getting canceled

Although 3 Body Problem‘s first-week streaming numbers are a little worrying, it can still bounce back and gain more momentum in its second week. Considering how 3 Body Problem is a slow-burn show, audiences will likely take more than a week to complete it, which could contribute to its delayed but steady increase in viewership in the weeks to come. Since Netflix was also willing to heavily invest in Benioff & Weiss’s ideas for 3 Body Problem, it seems likely that the people behind the streamer will be more patient with the series instead of abruptly ending its run after season 1.

In the past, several Netflix shows like The Sandman have shown significant jumps in their viewership in their second weeks after release, which also raises hope for 3 Body Problem. However, for now, it is hard to be certain about what the future holds for the series because of Netflix’s long history of cancelations and 3 Body Problem‘s monumental budget. Hopefully, Game of Thrones creators’ 3 Body Problem will eventually get renewed for season 2 and get the opportunity to explore the massive scope of its source material.

While all eight seasons of
Game of Thrones
are available on Max for streaming,
3 Body Problem
‘s season 1 can be streamed on Netflix.

• 3 Body Problem

  3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who joins forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.

• Game Of Thrones

  Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones is a TV series based on the book “A Song of Ice of Fire” by George R. R. Martin. It tells the story of the ongoing battle between the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros – as they fight for control of the coveted Iron Throne. Friction between the houses leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the far north. Amidst the war, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night’s Watch, led by House Stark’s Jon Snow, is the first to encounter icy horrors that threaten all realms of men. The series premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17, 2011, and quickly became one of the biggest event series in the “Golden Age” of TV. Winner of 38 Primetime Emmy Awards, Game of Thrones has attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, international fan base.