Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series has already become a cult phenomenon for millions of readers around the world, and the BBC now hopes it will do the same as a TV series.

The epic trilogy of fantasy novels will soon arrive on the small screen for the first time, and here is your guide to everything from casting to broadcast dates. We'll be updating it as more details are released, so keep this page bookmarked.

His Dark Materials cast: who will star in the TV series?

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Logan's breakout star Dafne Keen has signed on to play the crucial role of Lyra.

James McAvoy will play Lyra's father, the rutheless adventurer Lord Asriel, and McAvoy's ex-wife, Anne-Marie Duff will play Gyptian matriarch Ma Costa. The Wire's Clarke Peters will play the master of Jordan College who raises Lyra.

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It was also confirmed in March 2018 that Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda has signed on to play balloonist and adventurer Lee Scoresby who helps Lyra in her mission.

Other cast confirmed on 27 July include Ruth Wilson as the sinister Mrs Coulter, James Cosmo as Farder Coram, Archie Barnes as the voice of Pantalaimon,

Dakota Blue Richards has voiced her desire to star in the series. She made her screen debut in the 2007 film adaptation of first book The Golden Compass as Lyra. Even Pullman is up for the idea:

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Dakota spoke to Digital Spy in January 2017 about the project, saying: "I'm wary of what I say about it, because I don't want to give the impression that I am [in it] and then I'm not.

"There's been talk, but it's out of my hands, really. I'd love it, but I'm not holding out for it. If it does happen great and if it doesn't happen, I've got my own stuff going on."

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Richards told us that while she's open to appearing in the BBC's series, she'd rather it was on her own merits as an actress than as a tip of the hat to the film.

"I can't imagine that they'd actually want me involved," she admitted. "I think they want very much to do their own thing, which is understandable. If I was in their position, I would probably feel that way too.

"That being said, it was a very long time ago and I don't feel like I'm the same person now - so personally, I don't see any reason why I couldn't be at least considered for any of those roles, just in my own right as an actor.

"But also know that a lot of people see me as 'the girl from The Golden Compass' and as great an experience as that was, that's always something that will be hanging over me throughout my career."

His Dark Materials plot: What's it all about?

Just in case the books passed you by, here's a (very brief) explanation.

His Dark Materials consists of Northern Lights (1995, The Golden Compass in America), The Subtle Knife (1997) and The Amber Spyglass (2000).

The series follows Lyra Belacqua (and Will Parry in the last two books), as they travel through various parallel universes, meeting a host of fantastical creatures including witches and armoured polar bears.

Scholastic

Not everyone likes it: the series has drawn criticism for its supposed negative portrayal of Christianity and other religions.

The BBC's official synopsis for the series reads: "Northern Lights introduces Lyra, an orphan, who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Lyra's search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children, and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust.

"In The Subtle Knife she is joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As Lyra learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds and leads to a thrilling conclusion in The Amber Spyglass."

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In February of 2017, Pullman also announced a new companion series, The Book of Dust, that will be published from October. Lyra will appear in the first two volumes – the first, La Belle Sauvage, features her as a baby, while the second is set 10 years after the events of His Dark Materials.

Given that he's been working on these books alongside the TV adaptation, it's just possible that some of this new material will find its way into the series.

As for how closely the series will stick to the novels, BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne, who's adapting Pullman's books, has said, "The most important thing is being loyal to the books, and trying to tell those books as well as we possibly can.

"The advantage of television is we can slow down. In the film and on stage they had so much plot to get through, so much plot to churn through, whereas we've got the luxury of having time to get to know [lead character] Lyra, and spend time in her world."

When is the premiere date?

No details have been confirmed for the first broadcast details. Producer Jane Tranter originally said that she planned for pre-production on the series to start in Wales in autumn 2016.

In October 2016, Pullman gave a mini update on how the project was going along:

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Not yet, I'm afraid. Things are moving steadily and well, but it's a very big project and needs a great deal of planning. — Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) October 3, 2016

And again a month later, he gave another update assuring everyone that it's still in the works, retweetingDigital Spy's own article about the announcement:

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It takes a long time to put a big thing like this together. But it's started well and it's moving smoothly. — Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) November 4, 2016

Jack Thorne gave us another update in April of 2017, hinting at why the adaptation was taking so long.

"It's at an exciting point where we're just throwing things at the page and trying to work out what works and what doesn't," he said.

In February 2018 the BBC reported that casting was almost complete and that shooting was shortly to begin in both Wales and the Arctic, where some establishing shots will be filmed. On 27 July they confirmed that shooting was underway.

Who is behind this adaptation?

Jack Thorne will adapt Pullman's trilogy for TV. He previously created The Fades and has worked on This Is England, Skins and Glue among others. He has also collaborated with JK Rowling on the upcoming play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

"It is such an honour and a privilege to be given this opportunity to delve into Philip Pullman's world," Thorne said.

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Philip Pullman himself has praised Thorne, saying: "I've greatly enjoyed talking to him and learning about his plans for bringing His Dark Materials to the screen. I'm certain he'll do a superb job, and I look forward to seeing the whole project develop as he shapes the story."

The series is set to be directed by Tom Hooper, who won the Oscar for Best Director for The King's Speech.

Former Doctor Who producer Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter from production company Bad Wolf will also develop the drama, while Toby Emmerich and Carolyn Blackwood of New Line Cinema, Bethan Jones for BBC One, and Deborah Forte for Scholastic will act as executive producers on the show.

How many episodes will there be?

Series one will have eight episodes, and it is expected to be followed by further series (depending on its ratings, of course).

Rumours have suggested a multi-series deal has already been secured, with a whopping 40 episodes to be shot across five series in order to tell the full epic adventure.

Is this the first adaptation of His Dark Materials?

On TV, yes. However, there have been various different versions in the past.

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Philip Pullman has narrated an unabridged audiobook that also featured Jo Wyatt, Steven Webb, Peter England, Stephen Thorne and Douglas Blackwell in the voice cast. (The first book alone was nearly 11 hours long – so the trilogy will take more than a couple of afternoons to listen to, if you're planning a session.)

The BBC previously turned the books into a radio drama for Radio 4 in 2003, with Terence Stamp as Lord Asriel and Lulu Popplewell as Lyra. The same year, RTÉ made a radio drama of Northern Lights.

Also in 2003, Nicholas Hytner directed a theatre version of the books as a two-part six-hour performance at London's Royal National Theatre. It ran for four months and starred Anna Maxwell-Martin as Lyra, Dominic Cooper as Will, Timothy Dalton as Lord Asriel and Patricia Hodge as Mrs Coulter. It was a huge success and has been revived several times across the UK.

A movie adaptation titled The Golden Compass, by director Chris Weitz, was released in 2007. Starring Daniel Craig, Ian McKellen, Nicole Kidman and Eva Green, it had a mixed reception, and plans for sequels were cancelled. Actor Sam Elliott blamed the Catholic Church's opposition for forcing the axe, but critics said that "disappointment" with the adaptation was the real reason.

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