Filming begins on His Dark Materials S3
Filming is underway on the third series of His Dark Materials, based on Philip Pullman’s final novel in the trilogy, The Amber Spyglass, produced by Bad Wolf for BBC/HBO.
Production is once again based at Wolf Studios Wales and on location throughout Wales and England. Amit Gupta will lead as director of the opening two episodes, to be followed by Charles Martin and Weronika Tofilska.
Amir Wilson and Dafne Keen (pictured) star as Will and Lyra, travelling through multiple worlds to find and protect each other. New cast for Series 3 includes Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Jamie Ward.
The series is overseen by executive producers Jane Tranter and Dan McCulloch for Bad Wolf; writers Jack Thorne and Francesca Gardiner; Ryan Rasmussen, Julie Gardner and Joel Collins for Bad Wolf, Philip Pullman; Deborah Forte; Toby Emmerich and Carolyn Blackwood for New Line Cinema and Ben Irving for the BBC. Amelia Spencer joins as writer and consulting partner.
The series producer is Nick Pitt and producer is Stephen Haren. Joel Collins is production designer, with Russell Dodgson as series VFX supervisor for Framestore and Dan May as VFX art director and pre-vis supervisor for Painting Practice. Kahleen Crawford and Dan Jackson return as casting directors, Caroline McCall as costume designer and Claire Williams joins the creative team as hair and make-up designer.
Tranter said: “The Amber Spyglass is the most gloriously complex of Philip Pullman’s novels to adapt for TV, but with our world-class creative team in Cardiff no challenge is too daunting. This series is both an epic adventure and a story about love and truth. Jack, Francesca and Amelia’s scripts capture the brilliance of Philip’s worlds and we are joined by our much-loved existing cast and some exceptional talent new to the series.”
His Dark Materials is produced by Bad Wolf in association with New Line Cinema for BBC One and HBO with support of Welsh Government funding through Creative Wales.
Bad Wolf’s presence in Wales – and the subsequent opening of Wolf Studios - has contributed to the film-friendly profile of the country, which is now considered a major international filming hub. Also currently in production in Wales is the Disney+ Willow sequel, and the second series of We Hunt Together for Alibi. ITV thriller Hollington Drive recently wrapped a nine-week shoot in Cardiff.
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