His Dark Materials (2019)
An epic fantasy drama set across parallel worlds, following a young girl whose destiny reshapes the fabric of existence itself.
His Dark Materials - Series Information
- Original Title: His Dark Materials
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Created by: Jack Thorne
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 53 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 23
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 3, 2019 (United States - TV-14), November 3, 2019 (Canada - G), November 3, 2019 (United Kingdom - 12), November 3, 2019 (Germany - 12), November 3, 2019 (France - 12), November 3, 2019 (Australia - M), November 3, 2019 (Brazil - 14), November 3, 2019 (Mexico - A), November 3, 2019 (Italy - T), November 3, 2019 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: À la croisée des mondes (FR), 황금나침반 (KR), 黑暗物质 (CN), His Dark Materials - Fronteiras do Universo (BR), Темні початки (UA), Темные начала (RU), HDM (US)
- Production Companies: Bad Wolf, New Line Cinema, Katja Motion Picture Corp., BBC Studios Distribution, Anton
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
His Dark Materials - Plot
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.
His Dark Materials - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the extraordinary worlds of His Dark Materials come to life:
The truth lies beyond the world we know.
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His Dark Materials - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jack Thorne
Main Cast
- Dafne Keen
- Ruth Wilson
- Kit Connor
- Will Keen
- Amir Wilson
- Ariyon Bakare
- Simone Kirby
- Lewin Lloyd
- Ruta Gedmintas
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
Writers
- Jack Thorne
- Francesca Gardiner
- Amelia Spencer
- Lydia Adetunji
- Namsi Khan
Executive Producers
- Julie Gardner
- Joel Collins
- Dan McCulloch
- Deborah Forte
- Carolyn Blackwood
His Dark Materials - FAQs
Is His Dark Materials based on a book series?
Yes. His Dark Materials is adapted from Philip Pullman's acclaimed trilogy of the same name, comprising Northern Lights (The Golden Compass in North America), The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. The novels are celebrated works of fantasy literature that explore themes of free will, religion, and consciousness.
Where can you stream His Dark Materials?
His Dark Materials is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max) in the United States. It can also be accessed via the HBO Max Amazon Channel. For purchase or rental, the series is available on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Who plays Lyra in His Dark Materials?
Dafne Keen plays Lyra Silvertongue, the series' central protagonist. Keen delivers a widely praised performance across all three seasons, portraying Lyra's evolution from a headstrong orphan into a young woman at the center of a cosmic conflict. Ruth Wilson co-stars as the formidable Mrs Coulter.
How many seasons does His Dark Materials have?
His Dark Materials ran for three seasons, comprising 23 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 8 episodes, Season 2 had 7 episodes, and Season 3 concluded the story with 8 episodes. The series premiered in November 2019 and ended in 2023, adapting all three of Philip Pullman's novels.
What is His Dark Materials about?
The series follows Lyra, an orphan in a parallel universe where science, theology, and magic intertwine. Her search for a kidnapped friend exposes a dark conspiracy involving stolen children and a mysterious substance called Dust. She later joins forces with Will, a boy wielding a knife that cuts between worlds.
Is His Dark Materials suitable for younger viewers?
His Dark Materials carries a TV-14 content rating in the United States, indicating it may be unsuitable for children under 14 without parental guidance. The series deals with mature themes including religious allegory, death, and existential conflict, though it is adapted from young adult source material.
Who created the His Dark Materials TV series?
The television adaptation was created by Jack Thorne, who also served as lead writer and executive producer. Thorne adapted Philip Pullman's trilogy for the BBC and HBO co-production. The series was executive produced by Julie Gardner, Tom Hooper, and others, with Bad Wolf producing.
How was His Dark Materials received by critics?
His Dark Materials earned strong critical praise throughout its run, with particular acclaim for Dafne Keen and Ruth Wilson's performances, its ambitious world-building, and its faithful yet inventive adaptation of Pullman's novels. Critics highlighted its visual grandeur and willingness to engage with the source material's complex philosophical themes.
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