In 2007, New Line Cinema released The Golden Compass, which was based on Northern Lights, the first novel in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy of novels. While The Golden Compass was a hit overseas, it failed to connect to American moviegoers and a planned sequel never materialized.
Today, BBC One announced plans for a new drama TV series based on His Dark Materials. As part of that, the story of Northern Lights will be retold. His Dark Materials takes place on a parallel Earth in which magic, science, and theology are tied together and humans are joined with dæmons, animal companions who contain the souls of the people they are bonded to.
The leading character is an orphan named Lyra, who was played by Dakota Blue Richards in The Golden Compass. Following her discovery of a plot against her uncle, Lord Asriel (played by James Bond himself, Daniel Craig), Lyra sets off on a journey to find her kidnapped friend and she uncovers deadly experiments to separate children from their dæmons.
In a statement, Pullman said “It’s been a constant source of pleasure to me to see this story adapted to different forms and presented in different media. It’s been a radio play, a stage play, a film, an audiobook, a graphic novel – and now comes this version for television…And the sheer talent now working in the world of long-form television is formidable. For all those reasons I’m delighted at the prospect of a television version of His Dark Materials. I’m especially pleased at the involvement of Jane Tranter, whose experience, imagination, and drive are second to none. As for the BBC, it has no stronger supporter than me. I couldn’t be more pleased with this news.”
His Dark Materials will be produced by Bad Wolf and New Line Cinema for BBC One. While American distribution has not yet been lined up, BBC America is likely to pick up the series as well. A start date for production was not announced.
Who would you cast in the new retelling of His Dark Materials? Share your picks below!
