Is there anything more appealing than settling down, on a cold Winter’s evening, with a hot cocoa and a BBC serial on the TV? Fortunately this festive season, as a certain chocolate brand might have put it, the BBC is really spoiling us.
It’s been 25 years since Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights gave us the fist glimpse into the world of Lyra and the Magisterium. Since then there have been numerous adaptations, including a big-budget film, a series of audio plays, and an epic National Theatre production which spanned the entire trilogy.
The latest adaptation comes from the BBC and HBO and, as would be expected from two such big-hitters is suitably lush, with a cast of outstanding character actors working their magic alongside some charming new-comers.
For those familiar with the books, the adaptors have made some interesting changes to the storyline. How these will play out has yet to be seen, but fans can be assured that they’ve been made with sensitivity and a fair degree of appreciation for the original material.
The His Dark Materials Season Two boxset was released to coincide with the premier of the new season on terrestrial TV, and follows Lyra as she embarks upon a journey in a strange and mysterious abandoned city. There she meets Will Parry, a boy from our world who is also running from a troubled past. Meanwhile, Mrs. Coulter searches for Lyra, determined to bring her home by any means necessary.
The Boxset includes four double-sided art-cards. The release is available on DVD and Blu-ray, online and in store, priced RRP £25.52 / £30.63. His Dark Materials Season One and Two boxset is also available on DVD and Blu-ray, RRP £45.95 / £56.16.
In addition to the season two boxset, the first wave of His Dark Materials merchandise, including gifting, apparel and accessories, is available now on the dedicated online store www.hisdarkmaterials.shop.
Season One Bonus Features:
• Introducing His Dark Materials
• The Daemons: His Dark Materials
• Building His Dark Materials
• Dressing His Dark Materials
• Adapting His Dark Materials
Season Two Bonus Features:
• Making His Dark Materials
• The Subtle Knife
• Lyra
• The Powerful Mrs Coulter