TV

His Dark Materials: Fans divided as BBC adaptation makes huge change to the books


His Dark Materials took a huge departure from the original material tonight as the BBC aired the second instalment of Philip Pullman’s adaptation. While the first episode followed closely to the first book in the trilogy, The Northern Lights, the second instalment included elements of the second and third novels leaving some fans confused and others excited at the change.

In tonight’s intonement, Lord Boreal (played by Ariyon Bakare) steps through a window from the Jordan college crypts into our world.

However the concept of Lyra’s (Dafne Keen) world, where everyone has a daemon, being connected to our world was not introduced until the second novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy, The Subtle Knife.

Some fans of the novels praised the “bold” move and took to social media to comment. 

One said: “I’m loving the fact that’s only episode two of #HisDarkMaterials and we are already getting references to the second and third book. Great way to add additional layers to the plot when it’s not just being presented through Lyra’s perspective.”

“I’m gonna lose it. This is amazing. The adaptation us fans of the book deserve,” another tweeted. 

“I love the #HisDarkMaterials books and this adaptation is great. I don’t mind the changes at all, it’s good to have The Subtle Kinfe material creeping in early,” another added.

Another said: “I love the intensity of this episode of #HisDarkMaterials. I’m so glad they were bold enough to do this early on in the series.”

However some viewers felt deviations from the books meant the BBC’s adaptation was hard to follow.

One said: “Trying to remember that all TV/film adaptations have to deviate from the books. TRYING to ignore it in #HisDarkMaterials but it’s SO HARD.”

“No wonder I’m finding #HisDarkMaterials odd, they’re putting too much in. Mixing the books around and making everything confusing,” another wrote. 

“I want to love #HisDarkMaterials but there’s something that doesn’t feel right. For one thing I’m sure Lyra doesn’t find out this early about her dad. Also going to another world this early as well? It’s been a while since I read the first book but I’m sure they don’t show that??” a third questioned.

Meanwhile Philip Pullman has defended the earlier film adaptation of His Dark Materials. 

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He tweeted: “Delighted as I am with the TV adaptation of [His Dark Materials], I don’t want to be too critical of The Golden Compass movie. 

“A magnificent cast, among whom Dakota Blue Richards shone like the polar star, did the best that could be done with the time they had, which simply wasn’t enough.”

Speaking to press including RadioTimes.com, executive producer of His Dark Materials, Jane Tranter explained TV was the perfect place for the the adaptation.

“I think that what the film lacked that the television has is size,” she explained.

“I like the breadth as well as depth that television offers. And I think actually having that space to adapt the books is part of the thing that made it less daunting and gave us the courage to do it.

“We just had to follow the path. And the film could not do that.”

Jane continued: “We spent a good amount of time talking to Philip before launching forward with the adaptation. 

“And we asked Philip questions about the characters.”

His Dark Materials continues on BBC One on Sunday at 8pm.



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