Home > His Dark Materials > Season 1 « TV Series Page His Dark Materials: Season 1 (2019) Want to see Episode List Season 1 His Dark Materials Critics Consensus The daemon is in the details and while His Dark Materials visual splendor and exceptional performances deftly capture the essence of Philip Pullman's seminal novels, it could use a little more magic. 80% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 91 81% Audience Score User Ratings: 1151 See score details Submit review Want to see Submit review Super Reviewer Super Reviewer Tap to review this movie Review this tv season Edit Review Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you get your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket. Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit How did you get your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Episodes 1 80% Lyra's Jordan Air date: Nov 4, 2019 A brave young woman uncovers a sinister plot after her childhood friend is kidnapped by a secret organization. More 2 No Score Yet The Idea of North Air date: Nov 11, 2019 Lyra arrives to her new life in London, determined to find Roger with Mrs. Coulter's help; the Gyptians continue their search for the missing children and the elusive Gobblers. More 3 No Score Yet The Spies Air date: Nov 18, 2019 In a world similar to ours, but inhabited by witches, sapient polar bears and daemons, a brave young woman named Lyra (Dafne Keen) uncovers a sinister plot after her childhood friend is kidnapped by a secret organization. More 4 No Score Yet Armour Air date: Nov 25, 2019 In a world similar to ours, but inhabited by witches, sapient polar bears and demons, a brave young woman named Lyra uncovers a sinister plot after her childhood friend is kidnapped by a secret organization. More 5 No Score Yet The Lost Boy Air date: Dec 2, 2019 The alethiometer sends Lyra and Iorek on a new path, leading to a shocking but vital clue. More 6 No Score Yet The Daemon-Cages Air date: Dec 9, 2019 Lyra discovers the horrific truth behind the Gobbler's activities in the North. She must use all her wits to help free those around her and avoid suffering a terrible fate. More 7 No Score Yet The Fight to the Death Air date: Dec 16, 2019 Lyra must use her methods of deception to outwit a formidable foe. More 8 No Score Yet Betrayal Air date: Dec 23, 2019 Season 1 finale. As the Magisterium closes in, Lyra assists Asriel's efforts, but at great personal cost. More His Dark Materials: Season 1 Videos 0:53 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Teaser 2 2:41 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Comic-Con Trailer 4:24 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Dafne Keen: Bringing Lyra Belacqua to Life His Dark Materials: Season 1 Trailer - In The Weeks Ahead His Dark Materials: Season 1 Episode 1 Clip - Discoveries 3:22 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Ruth Wilson: Bringing Mrs. Coulter to Life 2:22 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Lin-Manuel Miranda: Brining Lee Scoresby to Life 3:15 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - James McAvoy: Bringing Lord Asriel to Life 1:35 His Dark Materials: Season 1 - Opening Credits 0:43 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Episode 3 Trailer - The Spies View All Videos (19) Tv Season Info An adaptation of Philip Pullman's acclaimed trilogy "His Dark Materials," considered a modern masterpiece of imaginative fiction. The first series follows Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), a seemingly ordinary but brave young woman from another world. Lyra's search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children?and becomes a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. As she journeys through the worlds, including our own, Lyra meets a determined and courageous boy called Will. Together they encounter extraordinary beings and dangerous secrets, with the fate of both the living?and the dead?in their hands. A star-studded cast consists of James McAvoy as Lord Asriel Belacqua, Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter, Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby and Clarke Peters as The Master of Jordan College. Genre: Drama Network: HBO Premiere Date: Nov 4, 2019 Exec. Producers: Dan McCulloch, Jane Tranter, Julie Gardner, Philip Pullman, Jack Thorne Cast Dafne Keen as Lyra Belacqua James McAvoy as Lord Asriel Belacqua Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby Anne-Marie Duff as Ma Costa Clarke Peters as The Master of Jordan College Ariyon Bakare as Carlo Boreal Will Keen as Father MacPhail Ian Gelder as Charles the Librarian Georgina Campbell as Adèle Starminster Lewin Lloyd as Roger Parslow Lucian Msamati as John Faa James Cosmo as Farder Coram Daniel Frogson as Tony Costa Tyler Howitt as Billy Costa Ruta Gedmintas as Serafina Pekkala Mat Fraser as Raymond van Gerrit Geoff Bell as Jack Verhoeven Simon Manyonda as Benjamin de Ruyter Helen McCrory as Stelmaria David Suchet as Kaisa Cristela Alonzo as Hester Kit Connor as Pantalaimon Brian Fisher as A Golden Monkey Joe Tandberg as Iorek Byrnison Show More Cast News & Interviews for His Dark Materials: Season 1 His Dark Materials First Reviews: Logan’s Dafne Keen Dazzles in Game of Thrones–Sized Fantasy Everything We Know About HBO’s His Dark Materials View All His Dark Materials: Season 1 News Episodes 1 80% Lyra's Jordan Air date: Nov 4, 2019 A brave young woman uncovers a sinister plot after her childhood friend is kidnapped by a secret organization. More 2 No Score Yet The Idea of North Air date: Nov 11, 2019 Lyra arrives to her new life in London, determined to find Roger with Mrs. Coulter's help; the Gyptians continue their search for the missing children and the elusive Gobblers. More 3 No Score Yet The Spies Air date: Nov 18, 2019 In a world similar to ours, but inhabited by witches, sapient polar bears and daemons, a brave young woman named Lyra (Dafne Keen) uncovers a sinister plot after her childhood friend is kidnapped by a secret organization. More 4 No Score Yet Armour Air date: Nov 25, 2019 In a world similar to ours, but inhabited by witches, sapient polar bears and demons, a brave young woman named Lyra uncovers a sinister plot after her childhood friend is kidnapped by a secret organization. More 5 No Score Yet The Lost Boy Air date: Dec 2, 2019 The alethiometer sends Lyra and Iorek on a new path, leading to a shocking but vital clue. More 6 No Score Yet The Daemon-Cages Air date: Dec 9, 2019 Lyra discovers the horrific truth behind the Gobbler's activities in the North. She must use all her wits to help free those around her and avoid suffering a terrible fate. More 7 No Score Yet The Fight to the Death Air date: Dec 16, 2019 Lyra must use her methods of deception to outwit a formidable foe. More 8 No Score Yet Betrayal Air date: Dec 23, 2019 Season 1 finale. As the Magisterium closes in, Lyra assists Asriel's efforts, but at great personal cost. More Critic Reviews for His Dark Materials Season 1 All Critics (91) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (17) For every exceptional scene, another is either too familiar or too meh. Dec 6, 2019 | Full Review… Hunter Johnson Dallas Morning News Top Critic It's a series that's not perfect and it isn't the adaptation of the books that we deserve, but it's good, and that's a start. Nov 5, 2019 | Rating: B | Full Review… Libby Hill indieWire Top Critic His Dark Materials remains a world worth exploring, but whether you're comparing it to the source material or coming to it fresh, this series is weak tea. Nov 4, 2019 | Full Review… Allison Shoemaker RogerEbert.com Top Critic Proof that TV is now the best medium for bringing epic literary fantasy to the screen. Nov 1, 2019 | Full Review… Laura Miller Slate Top Critic [Ruth] Wilson is one of those actors who can make you shiver even as she smiles. Plus, there's no one on this earth who looks better in a belted trench coat. Dec 6, 2019 | Full Review… Rachel Cooke New Statesman Top Critic Much of the first hour of His Dark Materials is given over to world-building, and what a feast for the eyes this world is. Jan 20, 2020 | Full Review… Gena Radcliffe The Spool The show balances the wins and the losses against the enemy, and so while there is joy at this moment, it may not last. Nov 5, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Kevin Lever Tell-Tale TV Finally, after seven episodes, they give the people what they need. Nov 5, 2019 | Full Review… Molly Catherine Turner Culturess His Dark Materials started and ended strong, but suffered a little in the middle to keep our attention. Dec 27, 2019 | Full Review… Tilly Pearce Metro (UK) We might have to wait until season two to see if the series can dust off its rough edges, but I have faith we can turn things around. Dec 27, 2019 | Full Review… Beth Elderkin io9.com The story takes on alternate universes, fascist religious orders, witches, armored polar bears and the very essence of love. Take a look. Dec 23, 2019 | Full Review… Steve Murray ArtsATL It also lays the sentimentality on thick, finally using daemons correctly. Nov 5, 2019 | Full Review… Ani Bundel WETA View All Critic Reviews (91) Audience Reviews for His Dark Materials: Season 1 15h ago This is a marvelous series for those who love fantastic adventures. Spectacular cast. Wonderful performances. Dafne Keen was a revelation in LOGAN and, now, she has matured into a multi-dimensional actor. Ruth Wilson is brilliant, as always. An intriguing premise and storytelling. Convincing special effects. I give this series a 10 (wonderful) out of 10. This has already been renewed and my hope is that they take on the whole series of books. {Fantasy Adventure} Robbie D 16h ago With splendid visuals, great direction of episodes by Tom Hooper, Dawn Shadforth, Otto Bathurst, Euros Lyn and Jamie Childs, an exceptional script by Jack Thorne, charismatic and engaging characters and exceptional performances by Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Anne-Marie Duff, James Cosmo, Ariyon Bakare, Lucian Msamati, Lewin Lloyd, James McAvoy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ruta Gedmintas and Amir Wilson, the first season of His Dark Materials shows the enormous potential that the series can have in the future, at the same time that manages to be one of the best series of 2019 ANDREY A 4d ago The only reason I'm not giving this series all 5 stars is because of a few "slower" episodes in the beginning with long dialogues where the director could have used "flashback shots" or other techniques to make it more appealing. Everything else was better than I expected. The "daemon" creatures is done exceptionally good and for the next season my only wish is to see more of them in scenes. Nora H 6d ago About two episodes longer than it should have been. Not very compelling, and kind of ugly. Accurate to the books though. Polar bear battle was a huge disappointment. Cory H Feb 09, 2020 Good long form TV adaptation, excellent casting and acting, and outstanding score by composer Lorne Balfe. Just needs more daemons! James H Feb 08, 2020 I was disappointed. It lacked the spirit and magic of Phillip Pullman's books. The acting was great but it didn't make me believe. Nick S Feb 06, 2020 For those who read the books , it has many mistakes . And you are supposed to have a daemon a person ? Why do they keep forgetting that !!!! Beverly S Jan 31, 2020 It's good, and it's great to see again that novel on tv Jozayann C Jan 29, 2020 A series that has evolved a lot with each episode, has an "energy" and a good feeling, as if it were part of you, following Lyra's plot, characters that were very well developed, there are some mistakes, but nothing too much, yet , a well-crafted and incredible story! Luiz F Jan 26, 2020 What a relief this series is. The movie was a severe set back but this series comes back at full force. Every episode feels like a movie. It flows well from scene to scene to episode to episode. I love the cast, the script, and that Phillip Pullman is an Executive Producer. The series follows the books very well and I love how the Subtle Knife is interwoven in the story of the Golden Compass. Absolutely well done. Daphne Keene is epic in her role. All of the cast was magnificent. Katie C See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! Best of Netflix Movies and shows to binge now More News & Features TOP HEADLINES Sundance 2020 Movie Scorecard – Rotten Tomatoes Everything We Know About The Lord of the Rings Amazon Series – Rotten Tomatoes 2019 Rotten Movies We Love – Rotten Tomatoes The 43 Most Anticipated Movies of 2021 – Rotten Tomatoes 100 Fresh Movies You Can Watch for Free Online Right Now – Rotten Tomatoes Who Is the Best Joker? – Rotten Tomatoes All 26 James Bond Movies Ranked – Rotten Tomatoes 100 Essential Spanish-Language Movies – Rotten Tomatoes More Headlines View All Results Go back More trailers