Daemons, talking polar bears, and an oppressive religious regime create a rich tapestry of adventure in HBO’s His Dark Materials. This underrated fantasy series, developed in partnership with BBC One, is based on Philip Pullman‘s acclaimed trilogy, set within a captivating multiverse that intersects with our own. The narrative follows the courageous young protagonist, Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), and her loyal daemon Pantalaimon (Kit Connor) as they delve into a complex conspiracy surrounding the abduction of children and a mysterious substance known as Dust. Together with Will Parry (Amir Wilson), a boy from a different realm, they challenge the authoritarian grip of the Magisterium.

Featuring a stellar cast, including James McAvoy and Lin-Manuel Miranda, His Dark Materials has garnered critical acclaim for its exceptional performances and stunning visual effects. However, despite its success in the UK, the series didn’t achieve the widespread popularity it truly deserved. Unfortunately, such lack of global mainstream appeal often leads to the shelving of innovative intellectual properties. Yet, the expansive universe of Pullman (and Lyra) holds so much potential, and a sequel could be exactly what His Dark Materials needs to receive the recognition it merits.

Discover What Lies Beyond ‘His Dark Materials’ in Lyra’s Ongoing Journey

The series premiere of His Dark Materials in November 2019 aimed to fill the void left by the conclusion of Game of Thrones and its divisive final season. Despite receiving favorable reviews from critics, the series found it challenging to carve out its own identity amidst a wave of new adaptations vying to become the next major fantasy hit, including House of the Dragon, The Witcher, and The Wheel of Time. This crowded landscape likely influenced the decision to conclude the series after just three seasons. This is particularly unfortunate because Pullman has penned five novellas, a short story, and a currently incomplete trilogy that further enrich his multiverse, offering fertile ground for continued storytelling following the events of His Dark Materials.

Envisioning a ‘His Dark Materials’ Sequel to Unravel More of Lyra’s Universe

Critics noted that the storyline in Season 3 of His Dark Materials felt hurried, often sidelining the emotional depth of Lyra and Will’s relationship to propel the plot forward. However, Pullman’s subsequent stories provide a perfect opportunity to slow down and delve deeper, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of individual characters and their motivations. A sequel series set within Pullman’s expanded universe could address unresolved plot threads, particularly in works like Lyra’s Oxford and Serpentine, which illuminate how Lyra and Pantalaimon adapt to their new reality in the aftermath of His Dark Materials.

Moreover, the novellas offer rich backstories for beloved characters, such as Lee Scoresby (portrayed by Lin-Manuel Miranda) in Once Upon a Time in the North and Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson) in The Collectors. The initial volumes of Pullman’s second trilogy, The Book of Dust and The Secret Commonwealth, delve deeper into the enigmatic realms of the Magisterium and Dust, while also expanding upon Lyra’s narrative both before and after the events of His Dark Materials. This could effectively resolve the series’ challenges with characters whose arcs felt incomplete.

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“Without stories, we wouldn’t be human beings at all.”

Regrettably, with only three seasons, His Dark Materials might not have had sufficient time to fully explore Pullman’s intricate novels and to cultivate a broader fanbase. Even Game of Thrones, which is now celebrated as the benchmark for epic fantasy, required three complete seasons to establish its audience and only surged into cultural prominence following the notorious Red Wedding episode at the conclusion of Season 3. Critics and viewers alike concurred that HBO’s adaptation effectively captured the essence of Pullman’s literary works, maintaining a relatively high viewership — averaging three to four million viewers per episode — throughout its three seasons, despite its apparent lack of mainstream recognition. This suggests that His Dark Materials possesses ample enthusiasm and source material for a much-needed sequel series.

His Dark Materials is currently available for streaming on Max in the U.S.

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His Dark Materials

Release Date

November 3, 2019

Cast

Andrew Scott, James Cosmo, Will Keen, Jade Anouka, James McAvoy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daniel Frogson, Clarke Peters, Nina Sosanya, Anne-Marie Duff, Lewin Lloyd, Simone Kirby, Dafne Keen, Lucian Msamati, Amir Wilson, Gary Lewis, Sean Gilder, Ruth Wilson, Ariyon Bakare, Ruta Gedmintas

Seasons

3

Writers

Philip Pullman

Network

BBC, HBO Max

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