What’s happened so far in His Dark Materials?

Based on The Amber Spyglass of Phillip Pullman’s bestselling trilogy, the final instalment of His Dark Materials is coming back to our screens on Sunday 18th December on BBC One and BBC iPlayer – and we couldn’t be more excited for its return! But after a two-year wait, you may be a bit fuzzy on the details of where the series finished, so here’s a quick recap of everything you need to know ahead of the new release.

13/12/2022

His Dark Materials dictionary

Before we get started, here are a few key terms to remember:

Dust is something that, in the His Dark Materials universe, is considered by the Magisterium to be evidence of original sin. However, it is revealed that Dust is far from bad, and is in fact the essence of pure good.
The alethiometer is a device in the shape of a compass which can answer any question truthfully (if you know how to use it)

In the His Dark Materials universe, a dæmon is something every person has which represents a person’s “inner-self” in the form of an animal. While their people are children, dæmons can change form voluntarily, but as their person grows up their dæmons settle into the form of the animal which best represents their personality.
The Authority is the leading angel who considers himself the ruling deity, worshipped by many, including the Magisterium
The Magisterium is the Church in Lyra’s world and the primary antagonist in the trilogy

Now you're caught up on the terminology, let's dive into the story...

What happened in season 2 of His Dark Materials?

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

The Subtle Knife

Series two picks up just after Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) has created a window bridging two worlds together. After following her dad through (yep, for those that had forgotten, Lord Asriel is Lyra’s dad), Lyra (Dafne Keen) and her dæmon Pan find themselves in Cittàgazze, a deserted city where malevolent spirits called “spectres” roam the streets in search of adult souls to feed on. Gruesome, right?

As Lyra explores her surroundings she meets dæmon-less Will (Amir Wilson) who has found refuge in the city after being hunted by Lord Boreal (Ariyon Bakare). Boreal is from Lyra’s world and is looking for a magical object known as the subtle knife which can cut through worlds. He has been told that Will and his father John Parry (Andrew Scott) are the keys to its whereabouts. 

When the two protagonists head back to Will’s Oxford, Boreal sees this as an opportunity to make his move. He steals Lyra’s alethiometer and uses it as a bargaining chip to get the children to find the knife and bring it back to him. After Will retrieves the knife and becomes its bearer, he helps Lyra steal back her truth-telling device resulting in a desperate getaway from Boreal and Lyra’s mother, Marissa Coulter (Ruth Wilson).

When Lyra and Will escape through a window created by the knife, Lord Boreal shows Marissa another window which will take them to Citàgazze. Fearless as she is, Mrs Coulter steps through the gateway seeking out the spectres. In a terrifying scene of undeniable power and self-control, she demonstrates her ability to control these creatures, turning them into her army.

Dr Mary Malone’s search for Dust 

simone kirby holding her hat as Mary Malone in His Dark Materials season 3

During their trip to Oxford, Lyra was instructed by the alethiometer to not only help Will find his dad, but to also seek out the physicist, Dr Mary Malone (Simone Kirby) who is researching dark matter particles, or Dust, as it’s called in Lyra’s world. After a brief but vital meeting with the young girl, Malone learns how to communicate with Dust, who reveal themselves as angels. They tell Mary that her work in this world has come to an end and she must now follow the hornbeam into a new world where her discoveries will be pivotal to the understanding of Dust.

A prophecy worth fighting for

There is an ancient witches’ prophecy which says that Lyra is the new “Eve” which will lead to a second “fall” and the takedown of the Authority, restoring free will to all. In the hands of the Magisterium this knowledge could be dangerous, and the witches do everything in their power to protect the prophecy. Knowing Lyra’s fate, Queen Serafina Pekala (Ruta Gedmintas) acts as Lyra and Will’s guardian and makes a promise to keep them safe as they search for Will’s dad.

While Serafina stays close to the children, Queen Ruta Skadi (Jade Anouka) helps Lord Asriel build his army against the Authority, rallying up every single clan in each of the worlds to bring them to his cause. They believe this is the Great War which will be the end of their suffering. 

Lost friends 

lyra and will lying in the snow in His Dark Materials season 3

After finding out about the prophecy and the protection of the knife, aeronaut Lee Scoresby (Lin Manuel Miranda) teams up with the shaman John Parry, also known as Jopari and Stanilaus Grumman. They strike a deal that in exchange for Lee’s services, and once in possession of the knife, John will protect Lyra at all costs. The bargain struck, the two of them travel to Citàgazze but are ambushed by the Magisterium soldiers. They decide to separate so John can find the knife bearer while Lee holds them back for as long as possible. Unfortunately, he is taken down and we watch a heartfelt goodbye between Lee and his daemon, Hester.

Will finds his father

Will in a forest in his dark materials series 3

Although safer under the protection of Serafina and the witches' clan, Will decides it’s better for him and Lyra to continue without them as he can feel they’re getting closer to his father. While sleeping, Will hears his father calling to him and, leaving Lyra to sleep, goes searching for him along the mountain pass.

Once reunited, John explains to Will that as the knife bearer he wields the only weapon in existence that can take down the Authority, and that he must bring it to Lord Asriel immediately. It’s a short reunion however, as a Magisterium soldier takes a lethal shot at Parry. In his final breath, he tells his son that angels will guide him as his journey continues. 

Lyra has been kidnapped by her mother

In the final episode, after learning that there may be an adult with a daemon wandering around Citàgazze, the witches decide to send one of their own to check the grounds and make sure everyone is safe from the spectres. Unfortunately, the witch falls into Mrs Coulter’s trap, and reveals the prophecy. Terrified of what this could mean, Marissa uses her army to track down Lyra once and for all. In the very last scene, we see Lyra sleeping soundly in a trunk being stroked by her mother. 

Lord Asriel’s republic

james mcavoy as lord asriel walking down a corridor

Fans of James McAvoy  and his character Lord Asriel will remember that he was absent for the majority of the series, but in the final few moments of the season finale, he makes a bellowing proclamation to the angels above that they must unite in a bid to create a freer republic, by going to war with the Authority. This is where things are likely to kick off in the new series as James McAvoy has confirmed he’ll be playing a bigger role in series 3.

Now we’re all up to date, what are your guesses for the new season? Series 3 of His Dark Materials starts on Sunday 18th December at 9pm on BBC One. Watch the trailer and find out everything we know so far about series 3 of His Dark Materials, plus catch up with series 1 and 2 now on BBC iPlayer.