‘His Dark Materials’ Coming To TV; Book Trilogy Set As An Eight-Part Series On BBC

3174438125_804940d2d8Philip Pullman’s fantasy book series “His Dark Materials” is getting a TV treatment via the BBC. The network has ordered eight episodes for the show with New Line Cinema as the producing studio.

This is the first time New Line Cinema is tapping television, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Bad Wolf, a production firm from the Wales, will also be lending a hand.

“It is an honor to be bringing Philip Pullman’s extraordinary novels to BBC One. His Dark Materials is a stunning trilogy and a drama event for young and old — a real family treat, that shows our commitment to original and ambitious storytelling,” said Polly Hill, the BBC Drama controller in the report.

The first book in the “His Dark Materials” trilogy was turned into a movie back nearly five years ago. But unfortunately, “The Golden Compass” did not become the hit the studio executives were hoping it would be.

The television series will have Pullman as producer as well.

“It’s been a constant source of pleasure to me to see this story adapted to different forms and presented in different media. It’s been a radio play, a stage play, a film, an audiobook, a graphic novel — and now comes this version for television,” Pullman said, as reported by Variety.

“In recent years we’ve seen how long stories on television, whether adaptations (‘Game of Thrones’) or original (‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The Wire’), can reach depths of characterization and heights of suspense by taking the time for events to make their proper impact and for consequences to unravel. And the sheer talent now working in the world of long-form television is formidable.”

“For all those reasons I’m delighted at the prospect of a television version of ‘His Dark Materials.’ I’m especially pleased at the involvement of Jane Tranter, whose experience, imagination, and drive are second to none. As for the BBC, it has no stronger supporter than me. I couldn’t be more pleased with this news.”

“His Dark Materials” was translated to 40 different languages and sold over 17.5 million copies worldwide.