In an age where prestige television is practically its own genre, HBO’sHis Dark Materialsquietly pulled off something extraordinary. It adapted Philip Pullman’s famously dense trilogy from start to finish. A three-season fantasy epic that dared to be more than just another chosen-one narrative, it was complex, weirdly philosophical, refreshingly anti-blockbuster, and one of thebest fantasy shows ever.
And yet, despite its faithful storytelling, talented cast, and visual eye-candy,His Dark Materialsnever achieved the watercooler buzz ofGame of Thronesor the streaming highs ofHouse of the Dragon. But for fantasy fans willing to lean into nuance over noise,it’s a must-watch adaptationthat, compared tocanceled shows likeWheel of Time, actually sees it through to its conclusion.
His Dark Materials Is One Of HBO’s Most Underrated Shows
The Show Remained Faithful And Actually Reached The End
WhenHis Dark Materialspremiered in 2019, it had everything going for it: a visionary creative team, a loyal fanbase, and influential literary source material. And still,it floated just beneath the mainstream radar.
It didn’t dominate Sunday night discourse or trend every week on social media. But that’s exactly what made it a rare gem;it wasn’t trying to be the nextThrones, even if it launched with that pressure.
Instead, HBO and BBC’s show carved its own identity, staying morefaithful to Philip Pullman’sHis Dark Materialsbooks. The show leaned into existential questions and philosophical stakes.His Dark Materialsalso arrived post-Avengers: Endgame, on the precipice of Phase Four and Five’s Multiverse Saga. Maybe if the stars had aligned just a few years later,His Dark Materialsmight have ridden off the multiverse hype.
Either way,His Dark Materialsgave us something we almost never get from television:a great fantasy ending.An achievement in itself, the creative team told Pullman’s story from beginning to end while staying faithful to the author’s mature themes.
His Dark Materials Was A Much Better Adaptation Than The Golden Compass
The Show Trusted Its Audience, While The Movie Pandered
By definition,the 2007 film version ofThe Golden Compasshad all the makings of a hit: big stars, Oscar-winning talent, and a massive $180 million budget.But frankly, the movie delivered polished emptiness.The Golden Compassshied away from the book’s controversial critique of religion and softened its edge to court a family-friendly box office. It made money globally, but flopped in the U.S.
His Dark Materialsexplored daemons, Dust, and destiny, and let the questions linger, never dumbing down the material for the masses.
HBO’s adaptation actually trusted its audience.The show didn’t blink at Pullman’s controversial story—a blend of theological rebellion, scientific wonder, and personal loss.His Dark Materialsexplored daemons, Dust, and destiny, and let the questions linger, never dumbing down the material for the masses.
What His Dark Materials Got Right That The Blockbuster Movie Got Wrong
The Movie Didn’t Embrace The Source Material
The difference between movie and show boils down to conviction.The show had it, whereas the movie didn’t. Especially in the HBO series' commitment to its characters.Dafne Keen gave a three-dimensional performance to Lyra—wild but tender, naive yet defiant. Ruth Wilson’s portrayal of Mrs. Coulter blended menace with maternal ambiguity. And James McAvoy’s Lord Asriel was a brooding force of nature.
The best children’s fantasy series don’t avoid hard truths.
Most of all, the series wasn’t afraid to end in heartbreak. It understands that thebest children’s fantasy seriesdon’t avoid hard truths. Rather, they confront and embrace the life lessons that a coming-of-age story must develop without being didactic.His Dark Materialsis the blueprint for a successful fantasy adaptation from book to screen.
His Dark Materials
His Dark Materialsis a critically acclaimed fantasy franchise based on the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman. The story is set across multiple parallel universes, exploring themes of religion, free will, and the nature of the soul through the adventures of young protagonists Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry. The franchise includes the original book series, a film adaptation, a successful television series, and several companion works that expand the universe. Known for its complex themes and richly imagined world,His Dark Materialshas garnered a devoted following.
