His Dark Materials is an HBO series based on the book The Golden Compass authored by Philip Pullman. This fantasy thriller concluded with a banger season 3 back in December 2022. Since then, fans of the show have greatly anticipated a season 4 to follow because of the finale from season 3.
Before its end, the show's executive producer Jane Tranter commented on why fans shouldn't raise their expectations for season 4 of His Dark Materials. Speaking to Deadline in 2020, she revealed her initial intentions for the third installment to have two parts.
However, she claimed:
"You can't always have what you want...The Amber Spyglass is quite right adapted into eight episodes and I will fully and humbly admit I was completely wrong. "
Per Radio Times, there were even conversations about His Dark Materials having up to nine seasons. Speaking to The Express in 2022, actress Dafne Keen who plays the protagonist Lyra Belacqua on the show, also commented on the end of the series. She said,
"It's really sad to think that think I'd go back to every year and I'd spend 8 months a year with them in Cardiff. I'm not going to be doing it anymore."
It has been a year since Keen's comments and there's still been no season 4 announcement. However, one could hope or even speculate for a spin-off somewhere in the future.
Furthermore, the series has covered everything from Pullman's books thus drawing to an epic conclusion. While fans unfortunately won't get to see their favorite characters from His Dark Materials on screen again, they experienced something incredibly special with three seasons.
Why were fans hoping for season 4 of His Dark Materials?
Now, the thing that got fans curious about season 4 was the final title card at the season 3 finale of His Dark Matters which read,
"Lyra went on to be educated at St. Sophia's College in Oxford where she was taught to once again read the alethiometer..."
Shortly after these words, the screen goes black and the credits roll in. This made fans ponder over a potential teaser for season 4. But, such is not the case as mentioned earlier by Tranter. Especially since the show has covered the events from the books: The Northern Lights (season 1), The Subtle Knife (season 2), and The Amber Spyglass (season 3).
Circling back to the second half of the aforementioned card - before the series ended, she had lost her ability to read the peculiar alethiometer - a device that possesses answers to any question asked by a person and is concocted to draw out the truth.
Fans were bewildered over how she came to acquire the skill once more. However, as Tranter emphasized accepting the end for what it was, such questions and more will remain unknown for the moment.
His Dark Materials season 3 ending explained
The third season of His Dark Materials took a curtain call with characters Lyra Belacqua [Dafne Keen] and Will Parry [Amir Wilson] bidding a final adieu to each other.
The finale featured a grizzly battle between the world of the heavens and the Land of the Dead. The story had everything needed for a beautiful conclusion: a death-defying duel, sacrifice, love, the classic beatdown of good versus evil, and a bittersweet ending.
With the villain defeated, the world of both Lyra and Will remained at peace but at a heartbreaking cost: their love for each other.
The last episode saw the two share true love's kiss for a last time before making a solemn promise. They decided to meet each other at a bench in Oxford existing in both realms annually.
While they can't actually see each other, their gesture speaks volumes about their feelings. Moreover, it meant that they would always be together in one form or manner.
His Dark Materials had a phenomenal run for three seasons packed with action, drama, romance, thrill, and mystery. While there won't be a season 4, it will remain etched in the hearts of many fans for eons to come for the positive impression it has created.
There may be other projects that the producers of His Dark might just be working on. Could this be the spin-off fans have been eagerly waiting for?
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