BBC orders a second season of His Dark Materials before the first has aired

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Although THE GOLDEN COMPASS, the 2007 feature-film which was based on Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, ultimately wasn't given a second chance, it seems that the series has already had better luck on television. Deadline reports that the BBC has ordered a second season of His Dark Materials, which shows quite a lot of faith in the series as the first season is still in the midst of production.

Dafne Keen (LOGAN) stars in His Dark Materials as Lyra, a young orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Consisting of "Northern Lights," "The Subtle Knife," and "The Amber Spyglass," the series begins when "Lyra’s search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. In 'The Subtle Knife' she is joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As Lyra 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 and leads to a thrilling conclusion in 'The Amber Spyglass.'" Like the first, the second season of His Dark Materials will also consist of eight-episodes. It's also been said that the series is one of the most expensive British dramas to date, so I'd imagine that it will look quite impressive. His Dark Materials also boasts an impressive cast; in addition to Dafne Keen, the series also stars James McAvoy (X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX), Ruth Wilson (The Affair), Lin-Manuel Miranda (MARY POPPINS RETURNS), Clarke Peters (The Wire), and more.

When the project was first announced, author Philip Pullman said the following in a statement:

It’s been a constant source of pleasure to me to see this story adapted to different forms and presented in different media. It’s been a radio play, a stage play, a film, an audiobook, a graphic novel—and now comes this version for television. In recent years we’ve seen how long stories on television, whether adaptations (Game of Thrones) or original (The Sopranos, The Wire), can reach depths of characterisation and heights of suspense by taking the time for events to make their proper impact and for consequences to unravel.  And the sheer talent now working in the world of long-form television is formidable. For all those reasons I’m delighted at the prospect of a television version of His Dark Materials. I’m especially pleased at the involvement of Jane Tranter, whose experience, imagination, and drive are second to none.