A new exhibition at a Swansea art gallery will offer fantasy fans the chance to go behind-the-scenes of BBC and HBO's multi award-winning series His Dark Materials. The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery will host the world's first exhibition on the series, based on Philip Pullman's trilogy of novels, which will include costumes, visual effects footage and props from episodes across all three seasons of the drama.
The majority of the series was filmed at Wolf Studios Wales in Cardiff - with additional scenes filmed on-location across Wales - with six stages transformed into the diverse, complicated settings of the many worlds in His Dark Materials, from the sprawling streets of Cittàgazze to the snow-covered North and the palace of the armoured bears on Svalbard. But this will be the first time anyone in Wales or beyond will be able to see the costumes, props and other elements that were used during filming.
Confirming the new free exhibition, a spokesperson for the Gallery said: "The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea is delighted to present, in partnership with Bad Wolf, a look behind-the-scenes of BBC and HBO’s multi-award-winning His Dark Materials. Based on Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy of novels, the series concludes with the third and final season later this year. For the first time in this major exhibition, visitors will be able to see costumes, concept art, visual effects footage, props and more from across all three seasons." For more stories about events and activities in Wales, go here.
Read more: When is the Welsh version of Gogglebox on TV and where's it being filmed?
Visitors can see key props such as the alethiometer, the subtle knife, and the amber spyglass, as well as larger set pieces such as the Cittàgazze angels, Magisterium banners, and Lord Asriel’s projector. There will be the opportunity to see intricate costumes from characters across all three seasons, as well as concept boards, illustrations, videos and visual effects sequences showing the full spectrum of creativity involved in bringing the stories to life.
His Dark Materials follows Lyra Belacqua, played in the series by British-Spanish actress Dafne Keen, an orphan who lives in a parallel universe in which human souls live outside the body in the form of animals, known as 'daemons'. In the television series, we first meet Lyra as a baby, left under the care of scholars by her supposed uncle, Lord Asriel. The series follows Lyra's journey through various different worlds, whilst being pursued by the religious authority, the Magisterium.
The first series of the programme was first broadcast in the UK in November, 2019 and drew an average of 7m viewers per episode. The second series aired from November to December 2020 and drew an average of 4.9m viewers and the third and final series is set to air later this year.
Jane Tranter, CEO of Bad Wolf, the studios where His Dark Materials was filmed, said: "The level of artistry that goes into every costume, set and prop on His Dark Materials is beyond anything I have seen produced before.
"To have the Glynn Vivian Gallery celebrate the art, imagination and craft of His Dark Materials is an absolute honour. I am certain visitors will be amazed and delighted by what our teams have created in Wolf Studios Wales."
The 'His Dark Materials: World Building in Wales' exhibition will be open to the public - for free - at The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea from early-December 2022 to late-April 2023.
READ NEXT
The Welsh artist who works on sets on huge Sky, Netflix, and BBC shows
Swansea's main fireworks has been announced and it's going to be on a barge in the bay
There's going to be a huge World Cup Fan Park in Swansea with food, live music and DJs
BBC Strictly's Helen Skelton shares injury nightmare ahead of weekend
Proud Mary pub confirmed for Swansea on site of former Idols club in Wind Street
