His Dark Materials

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 3, 2019
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 99
  3. Negative: 16 out of 99
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User Reviews

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  1. Ozimandeus
    Nov 4, 2019
    2
    A great story, fantastic actors but seems to have been made by a children’s tv production company. The sfx are really not very good, the pacing is all off. If this was on a kids channel or on at an earlier time slot this would be ok. I can only pray that War of the worlds is going to set the bar higher than this.
  2. Yourmumsbills
    Nov 4, 2019
    0
    I have mixed feelings about this one..not too keen on some of the casting. James McAvoys' Lord Asriel doesn't really have the presence or character described by the book, he seems small and not in any way imposing. Ruth Wilson as Mrs Coulter is even worse. Acting wise She plays the part very well, but Mrs Coulter is supposed to have an almost ethereal beauty that people are powerlessI have mixed feelings about this one..not too keen on some of the casting. James McAvoys' Lord Asriel doesn't really have the presence or character described by the book, he seems small and not in any way imposing. Ruth Wilson as Mrs Coulter is even worse. Acting wise She plays the part very well, but Mrs Coulter is supposed to have an almost ethereal beauty that people are powerless against, which is a major part of her character (her external beauty in contrast to her
    ugly evil side displayed by her unsightly daemon) sadly Ruth Wilson does not pull this off at all. (Whether you liked the film or not, no one could deny Nicole Kidman played this part perfectly) On the bright side Dafne Keen as Lyra is brilliant as is most of the rest of the cast (with the exception of the kid playing Tony Costa, who i kept expecting to say bruv
    at the end of every sentence) apart from some dubious casting the story is being well told so far, and as Philip Pullman himself is executive producer this
    series should hopefully do the books justice.    … Expand
  3. OlivierPiel
    Nov 11, 2019
    1
    Drivel. The other reviewer Ozymandeus has it right. One point for displaying my favourite childhood animal and symbol of my country, the marten and the ermine.
  4. SomeGreek
    May 4, 2020
    3
    Near enough unwatchable. It didn't have to mirror the books by any means, but emotionally resonant or important moments from the books were completely ruined and had a negative impact on the show. They took agonisingly long on shots and scenes that didn't need it, and rushed through scenes that could have been better. Story and general pacing was way, way off. The acting and set designNear enough unwatchable. It didn't have to mirror the books by any means, but emotionally resonant or important moments from the books were completely ruined and had a negative impact on the show. They took agonisingly long on shots and scenes that didn't need it, and rushed through scenes that could have been better. Story and general pacing was way, way off. The acting and set design were great, but the writing and directing stunk out the place so bad. I hope they don't make any more. Let it die. They had their chance and blew it.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best TV Season of 2019
30
#30 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Ed Cumming
    Jan 3, 2020
    100
    His Dark Materials is worth the trip. This is a beautiful, brooding vision of Pullman’s universe, which retains the mix of childish wonder and darkness that make his books so beguiling to young adults.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 3, 2019
    100
    There is time and space to do them justice and the first episode, in all its steampunkish glory, gave every sign that the potential is to be realised.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Nov 14, 2019
    60
    A robust adventure series. [11-24 Nov 2019, p.17]
See all critic reviews »