The HBO fantasy series His Dark Materials has delighted readers worldwide. It is adapted from the British author Philip Pullman's trilogy of fantasy novels.
The first of these novels, The Golden Compass, has meanwhile been published under its original title, Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. The story goes back to Pullman's own mind, which is itself a mix of eclectic sources, from classic literature to quantum physics.
Science, fiction, and religion intersect under the show's theme. This article covers all points of the story: the opening, the origins of the novel, and the themes.
The Origins of His Dark Materials
His Dark Materials is a trilogy of fantasy novels. Pullman's wide-ranging work has added much to the series. The first book of the trilogy is Pullman's Northern Lights, published as The Golden Compass.
His Dark Materials is rich in the use of parallel universes as a plot device and defies conventional understanding of the world. Each universe is governed by its own set of rules. In Lyra’s world, the souls are represented as animals but are actually human dæmons; in Will’s world, the souls are internal. In the series, there is a concept of the Multiverse, meaning that there is not only one reality but a network of parallel realities.
Philip Pullman employs these different realities to challenge reality, the concept of free will, and the soul. The characters—most notably Lyra and Will—exist and travel between these worlds, representing the conflict between predetermination and free will. The subtle knife, a weapon that cuts through the dimensions, represents the thin line between these worlds and the power to question and alter one’s fate.
The multiverse means there are multiple truths and possibilities in human life. This representation of reality has fascinated audiences, making them think of existence as a process and the role of decision-making in the creation of multiple worlds.
What are the key themes in His Dark Materials?
His Dark Materials opposes organized religion and authority through the concept of Dust, which represents consciousness and humanity. Magisterium, the oppressive religious power, wants to eliminate Dust and free will, which is the author’s critique of authoritarianism. Dust, in the middle of the story, portrays the existence, the meaning of life, and the search for the truth.
When characters look for Dust and try to define it, they encounter the conflict between knowledge and power, liberation and oppression. Employing this fictional context, Pullman subverts traditional authority dynamics and promotes the pursuit of wisdom and the right to decide on one’s own life.
The cast & characters of His Dark Materials
Through it all, the central characters, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry, change and grow in major ways. Lyra, the series' protagonist, begins as an inquisitive, rebellious little girl but matures into young womanhood to face the hard moral decisions that will seal the fate of many worlds.
Will Parry, who makes his first appearance in the second series of the books entitled The Subtle Knife, is the counter-balance to Lyra's nature with his practicality, courage, and moral strength. Their partnership becomes at the heart of the story as they undergo trials that test their values and beliefs.
Here is a list of some of the main actors and their roles:
- Dafne Keen as Lyra Belacqua / Lyra Silvertongue - Lyra is the young heroine, a courageous and curious girl who embarks on a journey to discover the truth about Dust and her destiny.
- Ruth Wilson as Marisa Coulter—Mrs. Coulter is Lyra's enigmatic and manipulative mother. She shares a very complicated relationship with her daughter and is deeply implicated in the Magisterium's efforts to control Dust.
- James McAvoy as Lord Asriel Belacqua He is Lyra's father, an influential and focused character who wishes to depose the Magisterium and uncover secrets of Dust.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby He is an aeronaut and adventurer who readily becomes one of Lyra's most loyal allies in her quest. He is driven by his sense of justice and bonded to his dæmon, Hester.
- Amir Wilson as Will Parry—Will is a teenager from our world who becomes one of the core protagonists in the series. He teams up with Lyra afterward. He wields the subtle knife, an instrument capable of cutting through any material, including reality.
- Ariyon Bakare as Lord Carlo Boreal / Charles Latrom - Lord Boreal: A cunning, dangerous member of the Magisterium and a key character in the series. He is particularly interested in the subtle knife.
- Andrew Scott as Colonel John Parry—John Parry, also known as Jopari, is Will's father. This man used to be an explorer but has since become a shaman. His character is intimately associated with the overall plot and struggles between worlds.
- Simone Kirby as Dr. Mary Malone—Dr. Malone is a physicist who becomes embroiled with the mysteries of Dust in our world and plays a quite significant role in the story, especially in the final season.
- Will Keen as Father MacPhail - A high-ranking official in the Magisterium, Father MacPhail does everything in his power to control Dust and preserve his church's authority at all costs.
- Ruta Gedmintas as Serafina Pekkala - Serafina is the queen of a clan of witches who aids Lyra on her journey. She is wise and magically very powerful.
- Jade Anouka as Ruta Skadi - Ruta Skadi is another witch queen, fierily independent and strong, an ally in the fight against the Magisterium.
His Dark Materials keeps its audiences engaged with science, religion, and fiction. The series's exploration of science, religion, and the parallel universe keeps the audience glued to it. Keep reading Soap Central and stay updated as we unravel more such information.
You can watch His Dark Materials only on HBO+.
