Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – His Dark Materials

Play trailer 1:35 Poster for Season 1 – His Dark Materials Nov 2019 Adventure Fantasy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 114 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
During her search for a kidnapped friend, a seemingly ordinary but brave young woman from another world uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and a mysterious phenomenon called Dust.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

His Dark Materials — Season 1

His Dark Materials — Season 1

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Scott Bryan BBC.com Jul 15, 2020
It's really good in its accuracy, plotting and acting - but the first episode has so much set up. Go to Full Review Boyd Hilton Empire Magazine Dec 7, 2019
4/5
Pullman's elaborate world of talking spirit animals, arcane gadgets and massive airships is beautifully realised, and half-way through the series, Lin-Manuel Miranda arrives as thrill-seeking adventurer Lee Scorseby, just to ratchet everything up a notch. Go to Full Review Hunter Johnson Dallas Morning News Dec 6, 2019
For every exceptional scene, another is either too familiar or too meh. Go to Full Review Rick Marshall Digital Trends Jul 13, 2021
HBO hasn't lost its knack for world-building on a grand scale, and His Dark Materials is yet another story that sweeps its audience along in all the right ways. Go to Full Review Tony Black Cultural Conversation Feb 16, 2021
3/5
A slick adaptation lacking in magic. Go to Full Review Luke Y. Thompson SuperHeroHype Aug 20, 2020
...the best version of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights (a.k.a. The Golden Compass) to exist in any form...and that includes the book Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Bridget V @Lesnyxia Aug 20, 2026 Such a good show had me hooked from the very beginning. See more Stephen D @RT37880768 Aug 9, 2026 Both a heady metaphysical mindf---k and a show where armored polar bears regularly beat each other up - so they really captured the best of both worlds there. The storytelling is dense and complicated- not something you can just put on the background as you do chores around the house - but also rewarding and emotional. Great special effects and performances. Aginst-type but kind-of-perfect casting of Lin-Manuel Miranda. See more Ivneet K @RT87906914 Jul 28, 2026 As beautiful as the books. See more ben F @BenFranz Jun 29, 2026 Nope not feeling it. I’m having a hard time focusing on the story and somewhat bored. It just dives into storyline leaving you lost, not knowing who is who. Direction is a miss. See more Mark H @Liminal_Bird Mar 2, 2026 I read an article that talked about a fantasy series that stuck the landing after Wheel of Time was canceled. This was fantasy and sci fi, discussed big ideas, and did not disappoint. Truly a great work of art See more Freddie T @FredPABLO2011 Feb 12, 2026 erwehvcwgdgsudvuwdfvuusdvcscoiasdvsbirbfabf9uadhfb9buychvdbo8iunrs9upqerhgeh8e2rgf8eghgvrrhv9urh9f4h9vh429tvh24vh-9w9eejrggbjwdopqe]jd[ehf809erfhbpedhv9whrf9qerhgf9qeurwhfq8owergvbo8uyidhgf8agsdve8fgwSOFIUADSFGVDS8PFGEPIHVPAD9hgEITRGJ9RUHGERWHGE8RHGFFR See more Read all reviews
His Dark Materials — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Dafne Keen

Lyra Belacqua

Ruth Wilson

Marisa Coulter

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lee Scoresby

James McAvoy

Lord Asriel

James Cosmo

Farder Coram

Anne-Marie Duff

Ma Costa

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 3, 2019 Lyra's Jordan Orphan Lyra Belacqua's world is upended by her long-absent uncle's return from the North, while the glamorous Mrs. Coulter visits Jordan College with a proposition. Details Episode 2 Aired Nov 10, 2019 The Idea of North Lyra arrives at 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. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 17, 2019 The Spies Following her kidnapping, Lyra falls in with a new group but struggles to know who to trust. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 24, 2019 Armour Arriving North, Lyra seeks allies in the witches, an aeronaut and an armored bear. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 1, 2019 The Lost Boy The alethiometer sends Lyra and Iorek on a new path, leading to a shocking but vital clue. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 8, 2019 The Daemon-Cages Lyra finds what she is looking for in the far North, but needs to survive. Details Episode 7 Aired Dec 15, 2019 The Fight to the Death Lyra must use her methods of deception to outwit a formidable foe. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 22, 2019 Betrayal As the Magisterium closes in, Lyra learns more about Asriel's rebellion, but her assistance to him comes at great personal cost. Details

More Like This

View All
Shadow and Bone 83% 84% Shadow and Bone Watchlist TRAILER for Shadow and Bone Alchemy of Souls % 89% Alchemy of Souls Watchlist Reverie 53% 77% Reverie Watchlist The Essex Serpent 75% 71% The Essex Serpent Watchlist TRAILER for The Essex Serpent 12 Monkeys 88% 78% 12 Monkeys Watchlist TRAILER for 12 Monkeys Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related TV News

View All
7 TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch This November Chernobyl, The Crown, Fleabag, and Giri/Haji Lead BAFTA 2020 TV Nominations His Dark Materials First Reviews: Logan’s Dafne Keen Dazzles in Game of Thrones–Sized Fantasy
View All

His Dark Materials — Season 1

His Dark Materials: Season 1 - Opening Credits His Dark Materials: Season 1 - Opening Credits 1:35 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Trailer - In The Weeks Ahead His Dark Materials: Season 1 Trailer - In The Weeks Ahead 1:26 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Ruth Wilson: Bringing Mrs. Coulter to Life His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Ruth Wilson: Bringing Mrs. Coulter to Life 3:22 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Lin-Manuel Miranda: Brining Lee Scoresby to Life His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Lin-Manuel Miranda: Brining Lee Scoresby to Life 2:22 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - James McAvoy: Bringing Lord Asriel to Life His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - James McAvoy: Bringing Lord Asriel to Life 3:15 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Dafne Keen: Bringing Lyra Belacqua to Life His Dark Materials: Season 1 Featurette - Dafne Keen: Bringing Lyra Belacqua to Life 4:24 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Trailer His Dark Materials: Season 1 Trailer 2:22 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Teaser 2 His Dark Materials: Season 1 Teaser 2 0:53 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Comic-Con Trailer His Dark Materials: Season 1 Comic-Con Trailer 2:41 Now Playing His Dark Materials: Season 1 Episode 8 Trailer His Dark Materials: Season 1 Episode 8 Trailer 0:44 Now Playing View more videos
View All

His Dark Materials — Season 1

His Dark Materials View more photos

Season Info

Director
Tom Hooper, Jamie Childs, Otto Bathurst, Dawn Shadforth
Executive Producer
Dan McCulloch, Jane Tranter, Joel Collins, Julie Gardner, Philip Pullman, Jack Thorne, Tom Hooper, Otto Bathurst, Deborah A. Forte, Toby Emmerich, Carolyn Blackwood, Ben Irving, Piers Wenger
Screenwriter
Jack Thorne, Philip Pullman
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Adventure, Fantasy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Nov 3, 2019
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings