HIGH-STAKES HEROES

The future of the universe hangs in the balance in fantasy drama His Dark Materials' final series

- CAREN CLARK

NEW FANTASY DRAMA

His Dark Materials Sun, 7pm, BBC1 (box set, iPlayer)

An epic battle for the future of the universe is about to commence in the third and final series of BBC1’s fantasy drama His Dark Materials.

The thrilling eight-part run, based once more on Philip Pullman’s novels, centres on a brutal war – led by single-minded explorer Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) – to bring down the chilling Authority, which is trying to control humanity.

At the heart of the conflict are Asriel’s intrepid teenage daughter Lyra (Dafne Keen) and her courageous friend Will (Amir Wilson), whose destinies mean they are crucial to both sides’ success or failure.

TOUGH CHOICES

Will is the bearer of the powerful Subtle Knife, which can cut through any substance, including the barrier between worlds, and he is urged to seek out Asriel to help him in the upcoming war.

But Will is equally determined to track down Lyra, whose enigmatic mother Mrs Coulter (Ruth Wilson) has kidnapped her to keep her away from dark forces, including sinister church body the Magisterium, who want to stop Lyra from fulfilling a jaw-dropping prophecy.