Entertainment
His Dark Materials writer Jack Thorne shares important element of season 3 that ‘really mattered’ to author Philip Pullman: ‘He knows what he wants’-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
‘You feel his presence behind you all the time,’ Jack Thorne said of the His Dark Materials author.
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Warning: spoilers ahead for His Dark Materials season 3.
His Dark Materials writer Jack Thorne has revealed the one aspect of season 3 that the author of the book series Philip Pullman felt especially strongly about bringing to life in a particular way on screen.
The third and final season of the fantastical TV series has been released on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, revealing what becomes of Lyra Silvertongue (Dafne Keen) and Will Parry (Amir Wilson) as the two young heroes from different worlds continue on their journey, becoming embroiled in the war being waged by Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) against the Authority.
At the London premiere for the final outing, Jack – whose previous work includes Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and his acclaimed Covid-19 drama Help – spoke to Metro.co.uk about working with Philip on the show last batch of episodes.
Jack explained that Philip is ‘exacting’, stating: ‘He knows what he wants, and you feel his presence behind you all the time. He’s very generous, he’s very kind. He’s cleverer than me, he’s a better writer than me and I was trying to adapt his very complicated masterpiece.’
The screenwriter admitted that he was ‘scared’ of Philip but felt grateful to be able to share a space with him to discuss how the characters would be adapted for the small screen from his pages.
Jack (right) with (from left to right) executive producer Jane Tranter, Dafne Keen, Sir Philip and Ruth Wilson at the premiere of His Dark Materials in 2019 (Picture: David M. Benett/Getty Images for HBO)
‘I got to sit in a room with him and go, “What would Asriel be doing here? What would Mrs Coulter… What’s Lyra thinking now?” Talking to a great mind like that about all the different tiny little joining bits, that was amazing,’ he recollected.
Speaking of how ‘exacting’ Philip is, Metro.co.uk asked Jack whether there was a certain element of the third season that he felt especially adamant about the way it would be portrayed.
‘It doesn’t involve me, but [executive producer] Dan McCulloch is on record saying this, so I will repeat Dan McCulloch. The Mulefa,’ Jack shared.
Simone Kirby’s character Dr Mary Malone meets otherworldly creatures in season 3 (Picture: BBC)
‘There was a way that they had to be, and that way was very, very difficult to pull off. But it really mattered to Philip, for all sorts of different reasons.’
The Mulefa are creatures that are introduced in the third season of His Dark Materials, having made their first appearance in the third book of Philip’s trilogy, The Amber Spyglass.
The beings make the acquaintance of Dr Mary Malone (Simone Kirby), a physicist who comes from Will’s world who travels between portals in search of Lyra.
Not only are the Mulefa a visual spectacle to look at, with their long trunks and ability to use seed pods as wheels on their feet, but they’re also able to see Dust, which in Lyra’s world is believed by the domineering Magisterium – the governing body in charge – to represent sin.
His Dark Materials season 3 premieres tonight at 7pm on BBC One and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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