3 Body Problem star Liam Cunningham has opened up about reuniting with Game of Thrones bosses David Benioff and DB Weiss on their new series.
Cunningham famously played the role of Davos Seaworth across most of the HBO fantasy show's run, and takes on the role of Wade in the new Netflix sci-fi show, which is based on the Chinese novel The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Cunningham admitted he had "broken-heartedly said goodbye" to working with the producers again once Game of Thrones came to an end in 2019.
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"When the old Game of Thrones finished, if you consider… look, I mean, I’m 172 years old, and a third of my career was with David and Dan – it was 10 years or whatever with David and Dan," he said.
"I broken-heartedly said goodbye to ever working with them, and the most unique experience I’d ever had in my career, I suppose.
"And then several years later, you get a phone call, and you go, 'What? You want to see me again!' And, look, when you’ve got beautiful scenes and gorgeous words, and they’re so respectful of story and what we do as actors – and just respect for talented, creative people – it’s not difficult to say yes."
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Cunningham further recalled: "Going back on set with those two, and the respect that they have, and the gentleness they have for the people in front of the camera – and then as a huge added bonus, to have that thrown into the mix – I fell on my feet in absolute delight."
The star also praised working with co-star Benedict Wong, who plays Da Shi, beaming that "every day working with this man was an absolute joy" and they "laughed every day".
Wong himself added: "We’re grafters at heart. We have a laugh, but we take our work seriously and look at ourselves. It gives us the space to play and throw curveballs at each other. It’s fun."
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Wong, who has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Wong, spoke further about how working on 3 Body Problem compared to the superhero franchise.
"They’re two massive juggernauts," he noted. "What I’ve really enjoyed on this is the continuity of family, really, within the sort of Game of Thrones world.
"There’s many people on the crew and production that you’ve worked with […] I’ve enjoyed watching… There’s a lovely shorthand, isn’t there, going on. So it’s nice to be part of the team."
3 Body Problem is out now on Netflix.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
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.
