Series synopsis
His Dark Materials is a British sci-fi & fantasy drama action & adventure television series that premiered on BBC One on November 3, 2019. It ended on February 5, 2023. It was created by Jack Thorne. It stars Dafne Keen, Amir Wilson, Ruth Wilson and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Her search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. She is later joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As she learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestia ...
Premise
Lyra is an orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Her search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. She is later joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As she learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds.
Premise: The truth lies beyond the world we know.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Dafne Keen as Lyra Silvertongue
- Amir Wilson as Will Parry
- Ruth Wilson as Mrs Coulter
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Ogunwe
- Ariyon Bakare as Lord Carlo Boreal
- Simone Kirby as Mary Malone
- Jonathan Aris as Commander Roke
- Chipo Chung as Xaphania
Supporting cast
- Lewin Lloyd as Roger Parslow
- Jamie Ward as Father Gomez
- Ruta Gedmintas as Serafina Pekkala
- James McAvoy as Lord Asriel
- Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby
- Jade Anouka as Ruta Skadi
- Lia Williams as Dr Cooper
Guest cast
- Will Keen as Father President MacPhail
- Ian Gelder as Charles
- Philip Goldacre as Sub-Rector
- Richard Cunningham as Chaplain
- Patrick Godfrey as Butler
- Libby Rodliffe as Lyuba (voice)
- Sandra James-Young as Diane
- Simon Manyonda as Benjamin De Ruyter
- Nabil Elouahabi as The Bright-Eyed Man
- Phoebe Scholfield as Alicia (voice)
- Harry Melling as Sysselman
- Geoff Bell as Jack Verhoeven
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 44 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 21 | April 26, 2020 | July 27, 2021 |
| Season 1 | 8 | November 3, 2019 | December 22, 2019 |
| Season 2 | 7 | November 8, 2020 | December 20, 2020 |
| Season 3 | 8 | December 18, 2022 | February 5, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Making His Dark Materials The cast and crew of His Dark Materials uncover the magic behind this epic adaptation, featuring Daphne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy and Lin-Manuel Miranda. To adapt the books for television, there was no doubt that this much loved story would be an ambitious undertaking. Watch how the production tackled the challenge of envisioning the costumes, building the worlds, bringing the daemons to life and writing the screenplay. |
April 26, 2020 |
| 2 |
Noble Rogue: The Legend of Lee Scoresby This documentary will explore the DNA of Lee Scoresby's character (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and the aspects of the cowboy, outlaw or rogue, who through bravery, loyalty, and rebelliousness are willing to stick up for the underdog and fight for justice. |
June 29, 2021 |
| 3 | Exploring His Dark Materials: Daemons | June 29, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lyra's Jordan Orphan Lyra Belacqua's world is turned upside-down by her long-absent uncle's return from the north, while the glamorous Mrs Coulter visits Jordan College with a proposition. |
November 3, 2019 |
| 2 |
The Idea of North Lyra starts her new life in London, determined to find Roger with Mrs Coulter’s help. The Gyptians continue their search for the missing children and the elusive Gobblers. |
November 10, 2019 |
| 3 |
The Spies From the clutches of the Gobblers, Lyra finds help from an unlikely place. It helps her put together more about her past and keep safe from Mrs Coulter and the Magisterium. |
November 17, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The City of Magpies Lyra and Will find themselves in a strange new place. The Magisterium take action as Mrs Coulter interrogates a suspected heretic witch, and Lee Scoresby embarks on a mission. |
November 8, 2020 |
| 2 |
The Cave Lyra crosses into Will's world, and they set off to find answers about Dust. Will is shocked to discover he has grandparents, but quickly realises he can’t trust them. |
November 15, 2020 |
| 3 |
Theft Lyra ignores the alethiometer, with dangerous consequences for her and Will. Lee Scoresby’s search for Grumman brings an unlikely ally, and the witches seek answers. |
November 22, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Enchanted Sleeper Held captive by Mrs Coulter, a dreaming Lyra finds herself in a mysterious place with someone familiar - Roger. Will continues his quest to find Lyra, meeting unexpected allies along the way. |
December 18, 2022 |
| 2 |
The Break Will tries to save Lyra from her mother and the Magisterium, but it comes at a great personal cost. Asriel’s plans change when unexpected angelic visitors crash into his republic. |
December 24, 2022 |
| 3 |
The Intention Craft Lyra and Will seek help from Iorek to fix the Subtle Knife before reaching an agreement to go to the Land of the Dead together. Mrs Coulter goes on trial in Asriel’s republic. |
January 1, 2023 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 3, 2019 |
| Last aired | February 5, 2023 |
| Status | ended |