Will BBC and HBO opt to renew His Dark Materials for now 3 and, if so, when will it launch and what will it’s story? Following the show’s introduction in November 2019, His Dark Materials has erased the lingering bad taste of the 2007 movie The Golden Compass, which similarly attempted – but ultimately failed – to accommodate Philip Pullman’s book trilogy. While that never got past the first novel, the His Dark Materials TV series has made its way via Northern Lights (aka The Golden Compass) and The Subtle Knife.
The latter formed the foundation for His Dark Materials season 2, which brought together Lyra Belacqua (aka Lyra Silvertongue, played by Dafne Keen) and Will Parry (Amir Wilson) since they found their way into the world of Cittàgazze, the city at the skies glimpsed at the end of His Dark Materials season 1. Their bond has been formed alongside the developing threat from the Magisterium in Lyra’s world, while introducing key new players from Will’s, such as Dr. Mary Malone (Simone Kirby).
Release Date
His Dark Materials seasons 1 and two were shot back-to-back, meaning that time 2 was able to start broadcasting at the same November launch slot as the first. That won’t be the case for His Dark Materials season 3, as even if it had been revived already, production likely would’ve been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic (which did affect the filming of season 2, leading to some Lord Asriel-centric episode being cut). In a meeting with Deadline, executive producer Jane Tranter verified that creator Jack Thorne and a team were authors were working on six of a projected eight scripts, with hopes filming could start in spring 2021. Filming on the two seasons lasted around 3-4 months, with just under a year earlier season 1 hit shows, and only over for season 2. If there’s a similar interval, then it’s likely His Dark Materials season 3’s release date would be in autumn 2022.
Cast
Since His Dark Materials mostly centers around exactly the very same characters across its story, then it’s expected that the majority of the primary cast will return for season 3. Including the show’s two young leads, dafne Keen and Amir Wilson, as well as Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter and Simon Kirby as Dr. Mary Malone. In addition to those, James McAvoy also needs to return as Lord Asriel in His Dark Materials season 3; while he’s missing from season 2, his actions in the background will be crucial to what is to come, and he has a large part to play. There will also be a few new characters involved too, with the likes of Gallivespian Lord Roke, a spymaster, and the angel Metatron needing to be cast.
Plot
As mentioned, His Dark Materials season 3 will adapt The Amber Spyglass, and season 2 has already set up much of the story. With the teases of Asriel’s actions, the brewing idea of war coming together with the Magisterium and mysterious forces at play, and matters like angels coming to the story, then the stage is well set for season 3. This will are the final season of His Dark Materials, so bringing everything to a conclusion: resolving mysterious of Dust, the Authority and Magisterium, the association between Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel, and, of course, that of Lyra and Will. There will be new worlds, coming characters, and an epic narrative which, in a sense, feels almost unfilmable due to its wild nature, with so many different theories, ideas, and themes coming together. However, given the caliber of the series so far, His Dark Materials season 3 might well have the ability to pull it off.
