Over the past few years, fantasy television has become an amazing subgenre. The worldwide success of Game of Thrones opened up the door for so many other shows. Just to name a few, we have The Witcher, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. Most of the series lean a little more toward adults, but there is a gem that is for wider audiences—His Dark Materials.
News of the third season of His Dark Materials has been scarce, but at New York City Comic Con, HBO finally let some news out. During a full panel of the stars of the show, we also got a full trailer for the upcoming season. Here is all we know about what to expect for season three.
Release Date
Although we had to go through last winter without it, His Dark Materials returns to us sooner than expected. The first episode of season three premiers on December 5th, only on HBO and HBO Max. As with most HBO shows, they will release episodes weekly instead of all at once. Like season one, this season will have 8 episodes.
Trailer
Please give yourself a treat and watch the trailer. Our Lyra (with Pantalaimon, of course) and Will are more grown up and road weary as they prepare for the battle ahead. Iorek Byrnison is back and as glorious as ever, being his beautiful polar bear self. There are more witches than ever before (I can’t put into words how much I adore the witches from this show). Lord Asriel now has long hair and a beard—how are we supposed to not be on his side?! And why did Lee Scoresby (Lin-Manuel Miranda) pop up at the end? I don’t know if my heart can take it.
Cast
Luckily all the principal cast members are returning to finish the series. Dafne Keen as Lyra Silvertongue/Lyra Belacqua, Kit Connor voicing Pantalaimon, and Amir Wilson as Will Parry. More returning cast members include Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter, Simone Kirby as Mary Malone, Will Keen as Cardinal McPhail, Jade Anouka as Ruta Skadi, and Ruta Gedmintas as Serafina Pekkala (one of the best fictional names ever). Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without James McAvoy as Lord Asriel.
There are a bunch of new cast members joining the series as well. The faces include Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Commander Ogunwe, Sian Clifford as Agent Salmakia, Jonathan Aris as Commander Roke, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Balthamos, Simon Harrison as Baruch, Chipo Chung as Xaphania, and Jamie Ward as Father Gomez.
Plot
Based on the children’s book series by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials is a universe-bending fantasy story centered on teenagers Lyra (from a different reality) and Will (from our universe). Their adventures lead them on a collision course with Lyra’s estranged parents as they all try to find the true meaning of (and control) the mysterious Dust. Plus, there are talking spirit animals (called daemons), ethereal witches, and other magical creatures.
The existing two seasons cover the first two novels, The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife. Season three (and sadly the final season) will focus on the events of the third book, The Amber Spyglass. Everything before has been building for the final stand-off between the Authority and the forces gathered by Lord Asriel. Basically, we are headed for a season of revealed secrets and epic battles.
(featured image: HBO)
