The very popular BBC fantasy drama series His Dark Materials, which was filmed in Wales, is returning for its third series. Based on the Phillip Pullman book trilogy His Dark Materials the series has gripped viewers since it first aired in 2019.
Series three, which is based on Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass, will see the main character Lyra (Dafne Keen) continue to flee the Magisterium, the organisation intent on ruling over a multi-world reality in which humans' souls are represented by their daemon companions, and her mother Mrs Coulter (Ruth Wilson), who kidnapped her in the season two finale. Ruth told the RadioTimes that the new series is the show's "most ambitious episodes" yet.
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His Dark Materials was filmed across Wales including Wolf Studios in Cardiff, Caldicot and Blaenavon, you can see more on that here, and its production saw Oscar-nominee and Tony Award winner, Miranda, fall in love with Wales and it's castles. See more on his love for Wales, here.
While the BBC has not released full details about the new series there is still a lot we know about the third series including its air date and some of the cast.
When will His Dark Materials series three air and how many episodes are there?
The drama will be returning to BBC One on Sunday, December 18. It has not yet been announced what time the show will air but all episodes of the new series will be available on BBC iPlayer from Sunday, December 18 and then air weekly on BBC One.
The series will arrive in the US slightly earlier, with fans able to watch the third season on HBO Max from Monday, December 5. According to IMDB this series will have eight episodes.
Is series three the final series of His Dark Materials?
Unfortunately for fans of the show series three of His Dark Materials is the final series of the show. Following the book trilogy the final series will use the plot from the third and final book, The Amber Spyglass, as Lyra nears the end of her fight. While a war battles on between the different worlds will Lyra be able to save her friend Roger and can Will make it back to the human world?
Who is in the His Dark Materials series three cast?
Dafne Keen as Lyra Belacqua: Remaining in her role as the lead character Lyra is Dafne Keen, who has starred as Lyra for all three series.
Amir Wilson as Will Parry: Thrown into the world of daemons and dust is Amir Wilson as Will Parry, who he has played since the first series.
Will Keen as Cardinal Hugh MacPhail: Truly evil is Cardinal Hugh MacPhail, played by Will Keen. Will is the father to Dafne who plays Lyra.
James McAvoy as Lord Asriel: Award-winning Scottish actor James McAvoy is back in his role as Lyra's elusive father Lord Asriel.
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby: A star on stage and the screen Lin-Manuel Miranda resumes his role as Lyra's faithful friend Lee Scoresby.
Victoria Hamilton as Stelmaria: New to the cast is The Crown's Victoria Hamilton who is taking over as the voice-over of Lord Asriel's daemon Stelmaria after HelenMcCrory , the original actress, passed away.
Ruth Wilson as Mrs Coulter: Dividing many viewers about if she is good or evil is Ruth Wilson as Mrs Coulter, Lyra's loving but possessive mother.
Ruta Gedmintas as Serafina Pekkala: Playing the queen of the Lake Enara witch clan Serafina Pekkala, is Ruta Gedmintas. Serafina is involved in the ongoing war.
David Suchet as the voice of Kaisa: Serafina's daemon is Kasia and David Suchet is the voice-over for the daemon.
Jade Anouka as Ruta Skadi: Queen of the Lake Lubana clan of witches is Ruta Skadi, played by Jade Anouka.
Simone Kirby as Dr Mary Malone: A scientist from the human world Dr Mary Malone, who is studying dust, is played by Simone Kirby.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Commander Ogunwe: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is playing Commander Ogunwe, commander of Lord Asriel's forces.
Jamie Ward as Father Gomez: Sent to kill Lyra is Father Gomez who will be played by Jamie Ward.
Lewin Lloyd as Roger: Roger, who is Lyra's childhood best friend who she is desperately trying to save, is played by Lewin Lloyd.
Chipo Chung as Xaphania: Playing Xaphania, the leader of the angels who fight alongside Lord Asriel, is Chipo Chung.
Sian Clifford as Agent Salmakia: Spying for Lord Asriel is Agent Salmakia, played by Fleabag's Sian Clifford.
Jonathan Aris as Commander Roke: Another spy for Lord Asriel is Commander Roke, played by Jonathan Aris.
Kit Connor as the voice of Pantalaimon: Heartstopper star Kit Connor is the voiceover for Pantalaimon, Lyra's daemon.
Joe Tandberg as Iorek Byrnison: Voice behind the huge and protective polar bear Iorek Byrnison is Joe Tandberg.
Andrew Scott as Jopari: Playing Will's father is Andrew Scott as Jopari.
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