Daemons, armored polar bears, and a totalitarian religious order—welcome to the wonderfully weird world of HBO's His Dark Materials. Despite critical praise and a devoted following, this ambitious fantasy adaptation never quite achieved the mainstream dominance it deserved. But with Philip Pullman's ever-expanding literary universe, there's no reason Lyra's journey has to end here.
Premiering in 2019, the series—a co-production with BBC One—sought to fill the fantasy void left by Game of Thrones' divisive finale. It followed young Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen) and her daemon Pantalaimon (Kit Connor) as they uncovered a sinister plot involving missing children and a mysterious substance called Dust. Alongside Will Parry (Amir Wilson), a boy from another world, they took on the oppressive Magisterium. With James McAvoy and Lin-Manuel Miranda in the cast, the show boasted both star power and stunning visuals.
Yet, despite strong reviews and solid UK ratings, His Dark Materials never quite caught fire globally. It faced stiff competition from other fantasy heavyweights like House of the Dragon, The Witcher, and The Wheel of Time. As a result, the series concluded after just three seasons—a decision that feels premature given the depth of Pullman's source material.
Pullman didn't stop at the original trilogy. He's penned several novellas and short stories set in the same multiverse, including Lyra's Oxford and Serpentine, which explore Lyra and Pantalaimon's life after the main events. There's also Once Upon a Time in the North, a prequel focusing on Lee Scoresby, and The Collectors, which delves into Mrs. Coulter's backstory. These stories offer perfect opportunities for a more character-driven sequel series.
Moreover, Pullman's second trilogy—The Book of Dust and The Secret Commonwealth—expands on the mysteries of Dust and the Magisterium, while also following Lyra into adulthood. A revival could address the criticism that Season 3 felt rushed, particularly regarding Lyra and Will's emotional arc. By slowing down and focusing on individual characters, a sequel could provide the closure fans crave.
History shows that fantasy series often need time to find their audience. Game of Thrones itself didn't become a cultural phenomenon until its third season's infamous Red Wedding. His Dark Materials maintained respectable viewership—averaging three to four million per episode—and earned praise for capturing the tone of Pullman's books. That's a solid foundation for a comeback.
With the series currently streaming on Max, there's no better time for HBO to revisit this rich universe. Whether it's adapting the novellas or diving into The Book of Dust, a revival could finally give His Dark Materials the recognition it deserves. For fans of epic fantasy, it's a no-brainer. And for those who missed it the first time, it's a chance to discover one of the most imaginative worlds on television.
If you're hungry for more underrated fantasy, check out our list of fantasy epics worthy of Tolkien's crown, or explore series with incredible world-building. And if you're in the mood for a different kind of revival, consider Sense8, the ambitious sci-fi gem Netflix canceled too soon.
