The television adaptation of Philip Pullman's epic trilogy "His Dark Materials" has finally wrapped up filming this December. The highly-anticipated first season, which will cover the events written in the book, "Northern Lights," will premiere on both BBC and HBO.
Lead star Dafne Keen, who plays the orphan Lyra in the series, is shown holding a sign to signal that filming is finally over for the first season in a video posted on the show's official Twitter account. The young star is seen holding a clapper with the words "That's wrap!" written on it while trying to evade a glob of powdered confetti.
BBC announced the production of "His Dark Materials" in March with the casting of Keene as Lyra. This will be the first major TV show for the budding actress who has endeared millions of fans for her breakout role in the hit movie "Logan" with Hugh Jackman.
But fans of Pullman's book series will also likely be impressed with the stellar TV cast list of "His Dark Materials." Joining Keen are James McAvoy (Lord Asriel), Lin Manuel Miranda (Lee Scoresby), Ruth Wilson (Mrs. Coulter), Clarke Peters (The Master) and Anne-Marie Duff (Ma Costa).
BBC also confirmed that "His Dark Materials" will be aired in the U.S. via HBO. While the broadcast networks haven't officially announced the show's air date, Miranda told Variety that the American debut of the series would happen by the end of 2019.
Meanwhile, reports also revealed that the TV version would slightly be different from the books. Director Otto Bathurst, who did two episodes of the first season, told Metro that it was important to update and modernize the story for today's TV audience so that it will be more "accessible."
This isn't the first time that "His Dark Materials" has been adapted into a live-action version. In 2007, New Line Cinema produced the movie "The Golden Compass" with Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Ian McKellan and Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra. The film was supposed to also expound on Pullman's best-selling trilogy, but with disappointing box office results and less than impressive reviews from the critics, the studio decided to shelve the follow-up movies.
"His Dark Materials" season 1 will follow Lyra's adventure from her sheltered life in Oxford to London, where she will encounter a group called Gyptians and hear about the threatening General Oblation Board. She will also meet a charismatic adventurer who will become her closest confidant in the series.
Ahead of the first season's premiere, BBC has confirmed the show for a second season. It will not be long until fans of the epic story gets to see the first teaser from the series.
