Interview: His Dark Materials Cast Discusses Season 3

The third series of His Dark Materials has aired on HBO Max. This fantasy drama TV show is based on Philip Pullman's new trilogy and picks up where the original show left off. The show's stars and producers arrived at New York Comic Con to talk about the upcoming season and what we can expect to see.

Asked about one particular scene that she's thrilled audiences will see adapted from page to screen, executive producer Jane Tranter said, "For people who know the book, there's the moment when Lyra and Will travel to the land of the dead and what happens there between Lyra and Pan which is very moving and a remarkable thing to do with visual effects There is what happens with Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter, and there's what's going on with Lyra and Will... the emotional stories are the ones that we're really most excited to share with fans, because the visuals are absolutely stunning, and I hope people there will really respond with... the battles. But you can get them in other places, but maybe not as gorgeous as what we deliver maybe, but it's the emotional stories that are the most exciting."

Actor James McAvoy (X-Men, Split) explained that his portrayal of Lord Asriel doesn't change much this season, saying, "I'm barely in season 1 and even less in season 2. And it was almost weird to change who he is. It's almost like you have to start delivering on the promise of what he said he was. In season 1 he's like "we're gonna go to war, we're gonna do this, I'm gonna do whatever it takes, we're gonna do this." And then here I am, finally , i'm in season 3, and we're going to do something different, we're going to knit for the first episode and… he's like a train that won't stop and run over everything to get what he thinks he is well done, but his arc is to unbox this. e slow this train down, make it stop, make it have big emotional issues about it, the train can't restart until it gets it, and eventually go from "I'm the center of the universe, and I'm fucking right" to "fuck it, it was never about me." What does it do to someone who's ignored his fatherly responsibilities all his life of his daughter because he thinks he's Spartacus, in fact his daughter is Spartacus, and [you'll see] what that does to his ego.”

Amir Wilson, who plays Will Parry on the show, talked about the relationships his character builds. He says, “He obviously forms a strong bond with Lyra, but he also meets angels. He meets Balthamos, he meets Iorek Byrnison for the first time and it's crazy. He's from Earth, you know? He is from our world. These things are unheard of, talking animals. I know he met Pan, so he knows talking animals… this season is introducing a lot of new worlds and characters, and you have a lot to look forward to. "

The first two episodes of His Dark Materials Series 3 are now streaming on HBO Max.