The end is near. The third and final season of His Dark Materials premieres on HBO Max in just over a month, and now we have another look at the series’ dramatic conclusion—and what drama it is! Threats, proclamations, insistent assertions: this trailer is absolutely full of people stating their purpose.
To be fair, they have some pretty intense purposes at this point in the story, what with Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) going up against God The Authority and all.
HBO Max’s summary for the season only begins to get at everything that happens:
Based on The Amber Spyglass, the final novel in Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy, in the final chapter of this epic fantasy series, Lyra (Dafne Keen), the prophesied child, and Will (Amir Wilson), the bearer of The Subtle Knife, must journey to a dark place from which no one has ever returned. As her father’s great war against the Authority edges closer, they will learn that saving the worlds comes at a terrible price.
The Magisterium is hunting Lyra; Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson) is as enigmatic as ever; the witches (led by Ruta Gedmintas as Serafina Pekkala) have some strong opinions; and in another world, Mary Malone (Simone Kirby) can tell that something is off. Also, there are angels.
While the second season of His Dark Materials had some wibbles and pacing issues, this third season looks promising. The eight-episode final season has a double-episode premiere on December 5th, with two episodes airing each week until the December 26th finale.