HBO has released a new full-length trailer for His Dark Materials, an upcoming fantasy series set in a world where people's souls exist outside of their bodies in the form of intelligent animals called daemons. The series marks a collaboration with the BBC and will be based on the acclaimed novels by Phillip Pullman. The first of the trilogy was published in 1995, titled The Golden Compass or Northern Lights, depending on one's place in the world. It was soon followed by The Subtle Knife in 1997 and The Amber Spyglass in 2000.
Helmed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) and written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), the show stars Dafne Keen (Logan) as Lyra Belacqua, an adventurous orphan who finds herself on an epic quest and beset by various threatening forces as she investigates the disappearance of a friend. Set in a world where people's souls exist outside of their bodies and take the form of animals, James McAvoy (IT Chapter Two) will also star as Lyra's Uncle Asriel. The rest of the cast, meanwhile, will be rounded out by Ruth Wilson (Luther), who plays the mysterious Mrs. Coulter, and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns) as aëronaut Lee Scoresby.
The new trailer offers fans a brand-new glimpse at the unique world and the sprawling journey that will take Lyra from the comforts of Oxford to the unforgiving North. The locations and various creatures of the world are stunningly realized throughout. Equally, each of the aforementioned characters get their due, shining a light of some of their more notable (and sometimes vicious) characteristics. It also lays out a good chunk of the plot, revolving around a mysterious city glimpsed in the sky, the concept of parallel universes, mysterious kidnappings, and the war that brews between multiple factions as a result of each.
The saga was previously adapted for the big screen in 2007. Despite boasting a stellar cast, including Big Little Lies actress Nicole Kidman, the film received a mixed-to-negative response from critics and fans alike. A bulk of the criticisms were levied at the choice to omit some of the most famous moments from the books closing chapters. Director Chris Weitz would later blame the studio for the multiple changes and label the entire experience as "terrible." Despite winning awards for its VFX, plans to adapt the rest of the trilogy were never pursued.
The new series appears (hopefully) set to avoid such problems. Similar to the previous trailer, the marketing makes it clear that this will be a promisingly faithful adaptation of the popular source material - including its dark themes and shocking moments. And with the series already renewed for a second season, fans won't have to worry about the story being truncated and the saga being cut short. Casting is already underway on the sophomore outing - with Amir Wilson cast as Will Parry and Andrew Scott signed on to play a prominent role.
His Dark Materials season 1 will premiere November 4 on HBO.
Source: HBO