HBO's His Dark Materials TV show is releasing soon, but what can audiences expect from the new TV adaptation? The His Dark Materials novel series, by British author Phillip Pullman, has long been deserving of a decent adaptation on-screen.
The movie version, The Golden Compass starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman, was released in 2007 and was based on Pullman's first novel in the series. However, The Golden Compass movie omitted key scenes from the book, and many changes during post-production meant that the reception to the film was lukewarm, at best. Now, the BBC have commissioned an 8-part His Dark Materials TV show adaptation from New Line Cinema (who ownn the rights to His Dark Materials) and Bad Wolf, which will be written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech).
The His Dark Materials TV show will air on HBO in the United States. With the His Dark Materials TV show already picked up for season 2, and promises that the adaptation follows the books closely, it looks as though His Dark Materials is finally getting the adaptation it deserves.
Last updated: June 23, 2019
His Dark Materials TV Show Release Date Info
The His Dark Materials TV show was announced by the BBC in November 2015. Produced by Bad Wolf and New Line Cinema, the His Dark Materials TV show was originally supposed to release in April 2017, but when April came around, writer Thorne said the show was still in pre-production because they wanted to ensure they stayed loyal to Pullman's books. Filming for His Dark Materials season 1 wrapped in December 2018, but there's currently no firm release date set for the His Dark Materials TV show. That said, HBO confirmed that His Dark Materials will release in late 2019 and will most likely air on Monday nights, similar to the recent breakout hit Chernobyl.
His Dark Materials TV Show Cast
Hooper has assembled an all-star cast for the His Dark Materials TV show, and many people will recognize the names listed. The His Dark Materials TV show stars Dafne Keen as the feisty, determined protagonist, Lyra. She's best known for playing Wolverine's daughter, Laura, in Logan. James McAvoy, fresh from starring in Dark Phoenix, plays Lyra's uncle, Lord Asriel, while Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre, Luther) plays the deceptively dangerous Mrs. Coulter.
Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns) takes on the role of balloonist, Lee Scoresby, who becomes one of Lyra's closest allies. Ruta Gedmintas (The Strain) will play queen witch, Serafina Pekkala, and Ian Gelder (Game of Thrones) plays Librarian Scholar Charles, who helps protect Lyra while she resides at Jordan College, Oxford. Other His Dark Materials TV show cast members include The Crown's Will Keen (Dafne's father) as Father MacPhail, Ann-Marie Duff (Suffragette) as Ma Costa, Georgina Campbell (Black Mirror) as Adele Starminster, and Clarke Peters (The Wire) as the Master of Jordan College, with Amir Wilson as Will Parry. Rounding out the cast as the Gyptians are James Cosmo, Lucien Msmati, Mat Fraser, Geoff Bell, and Simon Manyonda.
His Dark Materials TV Show Story Details
His Dark Materials consists of three novels: The Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. Initially they are set in Oxford, U.K., but in a parallel universe where each person is accompanied by a daemon - an animal which represents the physical incarnation of their soul. Lyra lives happily with her Uncle in the hallowed Jordan College, until Mrs. Coulter arrives to take her to London.
The first season of the His Dark Materials TV show will follow the first book in Pullman's trilogy, and Thorne has spoken of his admiration for the series, as well as how much he enjoyed the books while growing up. From her own universe, Lyra's search for a missing friend takes her through many splits in other parallel universes, and on to discover a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. With His Dark Materials season 2 already commissioned, it seems logical to expect that to follow the second book in the trilogy. With eight episodes to each season, Pullman's source material can now be explored in depth, including worlds where science, magic, and theology intertwine.