Amph BBC to Adapt 'His Dark Materials'

BBC Greenlights TV Series Based on Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’

LONDON — The BBC’s flagship channel, BBC One, has commissioned an initial eight-part series based on Philip Pullman’s epic fantasy novel in three parts, “His Dark Materials,” from Bad Wolf and New Line Cinema, which will be produced in Wales.

“His Dark Materials” has been published in more than 40 languages, and has sold worldwide close to 17.5 million copies.

The first part of the trilogy, “Northern Lights,” introduces Lyra, an orphan, who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Lyra’s search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust.

In “The Subtle Knife,” she is joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As Lyra learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds, and leads to a thrilling conclusion in “The Amber Spyglass.”

“His Dark Materials” is the first commission from Bad Wolf, a U.K./U.S. production company founded by former BBC executives Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner, and co-sited in South Wales and Los Angeles. The show is New Line’s first move into British television. The series will be executive produced by Pullman, Tranter and Gardner for Bad Wolf, Toby Emmerich and Carolyn Blackwood for New Line Cinema, and Deborah Forte for Scholastic.

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.”

He added: “In recent years we’ve seen how long stories on television, whether adaptations (‘Game of Thrones’) or original (‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The Wire’), can reach depths of characterization and heights of suspense by taking the time for events to make their proper impact and for consequences to unravel. 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.”

Tranter said: “It is an honor and a joy to be part of the team responsible for bringing Philip Pullman’s trilogy of novels ‘His Dark Materials’ to the BBC. Ever since they were first published these books have been a huge influence on so much of my thinking and imagination, and it is enormously inspiring to be now working on them for television adaptation. The broad horizons of television suggests itself as the best of vehicles to capture the expansiveness of the story and worlds of Lyra and Will, and I am looking forward to seeing how ‘Northern Lights,’ ‘The Subtle Knife’ and ‘The Amber Spyglass’ will occupy their place in an audience’s imagination across many episodes and seasons.”

Since first publication in 1995 of “Northern Lights,” the three books have been acclaimed worldwide and have won many awards. In 2001 “The Amber Spyglass” was the first and only children’s book to win the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year Award, in 2007 “Northern Lights” won the Carnegie of Carnegies, and in 2005 Pullman was awarded by the Swedish Arts Council, the children’s literature equivalent of the Nobel Prize, The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

Previous adaptations of the novels include Nicholas Hytner’s stage production of the trilogy, which was produced in two parts at the National Theatre in 2003-4. In 2007, New Line Cinema released the film “The Golden Compass,” which was based on “Northern Lights.” It starred Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra.

Polly Hill, controller BBC drama commissioning, said: “It is an honor to be bringing Philip Pullman’s extraordinary novels to BBC One. ‘His Dark Materials’ is a stunning trilogy, and a drama event for young and old — a real family treat, that shows our commitment to original and ambitious storytelling.”

http://variety.com/2015/tv/global/bbc-orders-philip-pullmans-his-dark-materials-1201632207/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

Love the first two books in the trilogy, left cold by the third. The movie, while disappointing, actually improved for me on subsequent re-watches. It's going to be tough to improve on that cast.

 

Will watch. I want my wheeled elephants, damnit.

 

probably better suited for TV. I've come to realize that I want all my entertainment in the form of Netflix original series. All other forms of media are inferior.

 

"...has commissioned an initial eight-part series based..."

I wonder how much that will cover, first book I assume? They'd better not pull the plug 1/3 of the way through.

 

This is great news. I was underwhelmed by the 2007 film, but I gathered from readers' comments and critiques that there was a lot more to the source material. Apparently there is an atheistic worldview that the film shied away from. I'm looking forward to seeing just how that materializes in the upcoming show.

 

According to this article about HBO teaming up with Bad Wolf they're aiming for five seasons at eight episodes each. I have no clue how the three books would be divided into five, though it's reassuring to know they've got a solid plan for this production.

I really hope it's successful enough for the BBC to commission more, I think the material will be right at home on the BBC. My only real concern is production value. Things are pretty grand scale at the start of this series and only get bigger from there.

 

So long as they don't neuter it by putting it on at a family friendly time and they don't remove the humanist/anti-theistic themes I'm happy. And don't make Mrs Coulter blonde for crying out loud...

 

‘The King’s Speech’ Director Tom Hooper & ‘Logan’ Star Dafne Keen Sign Up For ‘His Dark Materials’ Adaptation

Glad to see this project moving forward at last, especially with Dafne (Logan) Keen in the lead.

 

No one can top Sam Elliott as Lee Scoresby. In fact, Sam Elliott should just play every role in this series.

 

He was perfectly cast. I really can't think of anyone better to play Scoresby.

 

The timing of this thread being bumped seems serendipitous.

 

I'd assumed that production was much further along than this.

 

James McAvoy & Clarke Peters Sign Up To BBC One Fantasy Drama ‘His Dark Materials’
I like both of these actors so I'm happy, except... McAvoy is a little young, small, and slight to play my idea of Lord Asriel. He's a great actor, so I'm sure he'll pull it off, but he seems like an odd choice for the role. We've seen this kind of off-the-wall casting work before, of course, but it makes me a bit nervous.

 

Other news is Ruth Wilson has signed on as Mrs Coulter.

So long as the Beeb don't wuss out like Hollywood did, this could be quite something.

 

Loved Ruth Wilson in the Beeb's Jane Eyre and what little I saw of Luther, so this is really starting to shape up for me.

 

Season 1 may have just started filming, but it seems there's no breaks on this train. The BBC has already commissioned a second series.

 

Well, lets hope series 1 is good.

 

This is great news.

 

First teaser.

https://io9.gizmodo.com/our-first-look-at-bbcs-his-dark-materials-is-full-of-te-1832852658?IR=T

 

EDIT: I may have been ninja'd by @jp-30 but my post is better. It has videos and gifs!

 

You win this round

 

I’m so excited for this is my favorite book series next to Harry Potter and I finally think we’re going to get a good adaption plus with hbo on board I think it’ll be great!

 

This series has Lin Manuel Miranda?!? Even better...

 

Just saw the trailer for it watching the last episode of GOT last night.

It looked interesting:

Based on author Philip Pullman’s beloved trilogy, His Dark Materials follows Lyra, a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings and protect dangerous secrets.

Anyone read the Books?