His Dark Materials will go back for a third and final season. BBC and HBO have revived their epic young adult fantasy series for an eight-episode next season, two days when it concluded its seven-episode second season run in the UK on BBC One. His Dark Materials season 2 finale airs December 28 on HBO and HBO Max in the US, and December 29 on Disney+ Hotstar in India. The show relies on Sir Philip Pullman’s trilogy of the same name, which indicates His Dark Materials season 3 will draw the third and last book, “The Amber Spyglass”.
This sort of goes against the wishes of His Dark Materials creative team. Back in October, executive producer Jane Tranter had revealed that author Jack Thorne and Co. had begun working on His Dark Materials season and that the team was interested in splitting the”enormous, sprawling” third and final book into two seasons. It seems co-producers BBC and HBO didn’t grant them that request, though it’s possible that Tranter, Thorne, and the founders’ views have changed in the meantime.
“His Dark Materials was a truly global TV experience and a personal career highlight,” Tranter said Tuesday in a prepared statement. “The team at Bad Wolf in Cardiff made the impossible possible and attracted Philip Pullman’s worlds to vibrant life. To see that hard work and commitment applauded and embraced by fans around the globe 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 creating the next portion of Philip Pullman’s trilogy with their encouragement and support.
HBO’s executive vice president for programming Francesca Orsi added: “Bringing Phillip Pullman’s epic, intricate and resonant body of work to television has been a tremendous privilege. We thank our incredible partners in the BBC and the entire Bad Wolf group, led by the indefatigable Jane Tranter, for their work on the first two seasons. We look forward to completing the trilogy for this final chapter in Lyra’s journey.”
Ben Irving, BBC drama commissioning editor for Wales, added: “It has been a joy to see how His Dark Materials has brought British TV audiences of all ages together on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Fans of Phillip Pullman’s incredible novels, and newcomers alike, have been enthralled by adventuring with Lyra and Will through multiple worlds. We are thrilled that they are going to have the ability to continue their journey in the third series of this beautifully realized play. Our thanks to our partners at HBO and the dedicated creative team at Bad Wolf for creating a landmark series which will continue to be viewed and enjoyed on the BBC for a long time to come.”
His Dark Materials season 2 concludes December 29 on Disney+ Hotstar. Production on His Dark Materials season 3 is slated to begin in Cardiff, Wales in 2021.
