It happened too late, but at least it happened: His Dark Materials will complete its story with a third and final season from HBO and the BBC.
Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials books have been lauded as modern classics since they started coming out in the mid-1990s, but they didn’t have much luck on the adaptation front, especially after a 2007 movie fizzled at the box office and with critics.
The story was always a better fit for TV, and the recent TV show — a coproduction between HBO and the BBC — has had more success, so far adapting the first two books in Pullman’s trilogy: The Northern Lights and The Subtle Knife. The first two seasons were filmed back to back so young actors Dafne Keen (Lyra) and Amir Wilson (Will) wouldn’t age too drastically; it’s important for the story that they look like kids on the cusp of adolescence, so it wouldn’t do for them to look too grown up too soon.
But the series hasn’t set the world on fire, either. The show has done quite well in Britain, where the books were particularly popular, but ratings have flagged in the U.S., making me wonder if the show would end at two seasons, or come back for a third with a reduced budget and less participation from HBO.
Well, we can officially set those fears aside! WarnerMedia today announced that HBO and BBC One will join forces one more time to adapt the final book in the series, The Amber Spyglass. Better late than never!
“Bringing Phillip Pullman’s epic, intricate and culturally resonant body of work to television has been a tremendous privilege,” said HBO Programming Executive Vice President Francesca Orsi. “We thank our incredible partners at the BBC and the entire Bad Wolf team, led by the indefatigable Jane Tranter, for their exceptional work on the first two seasons. We look forward to completing the trilogy with this final chapter in Lyra’s journey.”
Tranter herself also weighed in:
"HIS DARK MATERIALS has been a truly global TV experience and a personal career highlight. The creative team at Bad Wolf in Cardiff made the impossible possible and brought Philip Pullman’s worlds into vivid life. To see that hard work and dedication applauded and embraced by fans around the world has made all the hard work worthwhile. None of this would have been possible without the wonderful commitment and conviction of the BBC and HBO. I am excited, thrilled and honored to be making the third part of Philip Pullman’s trilogy with their support and encouragement. Diolch."
“Diolch” means “thank you” in Welsh, if you’re wondering.
I’m a fan of Pullman’s books and have been reviewing the show. I’ve had my qualms with it, but think it’s strong enough to deserve to complete itself. Also, both seasons have gotten better as they’ve gone along, and season 2 is stronger than season 1. If the pattern continues, season 3 should be the best yet! Plus, The Amber Spyglass is far and away the thickest of Pullman’s books, so there should be no need to engage in the filler that sometimes hampered the first two seasons.
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