This article contains spoilers forHis Dark Materials.His Dark Materialswas one of the best fantasy series on TV in 2019, with Dafne Keen providing many of its best moments. The young actress played the main character, Lyra Belacqua, in the adaptation of Philip Pullman’s hugely successful YA book series,His Dark Materials.Every season ofHis Dark Materialshad something unique to offer, and Keen matured as the series did. Getting older as the story got darker made Keen perfectly poised to embody the changing tone and complexity of the adaptation, leading her to define some of the show’s most memorable arcs.
Along withHis Dark Materials’witchesand Marisa Coulter, Lyra represents one of the strongest female characters in fantasy in the 2010s. Mrs. Coulter met her match in her stubborn daughter, appropriately. It was incredibly impressive that Keen could hold her own against Wilson’s seasoned talent while filmingHis Dark Materials,especially considering the ingenuity of Wilson’s Marisa. Seasons 1 and 2 were filmed back to back, between 2018 and 2019, while Keen was 13 and Wilson was 36. Keens' younger self voiced just as many poignant lines as the Keen of season 3, who was 16 as filming began.
10Lyra Stealing Scoresby’s Bacon In The Frozen North
His Dark Materials Season 1, Episode 4 - “Armour”
Lee Scoresby was brilliantly portrayed by Lin-Manuel Miranda inHis Dark Materials, and his great chemistry with Dafne Keen was represented by one endearing moment in episode 5. In one ofHis Dark Materials’blissful moments of light-hearted fun,Lyra bonded with the cheery Lee Scoresby over breakfast. Done in trueHis Dark Materialsstyle, the nature of this bonding was Lyra attempting to barter for Scoresby’s services while stealing bacon off his plate. While not best pleased, Scoresby’s good nature was radiant.
Keen played a character that was wise beyond her years…
This was a standout moment for Dafne Keen, as it showed her embodiment of the resourceful orphan perfectly.Lyra’s relating to Scoresby was evident from the offset- they were “both hustlers,” in Keen’s own words (His Dark Materials HBO). Keen played a character that was wise beyond her years, and her adorably cheeky behavior only served to make her look more capable. Scoresby seemed subtly impressed.
9Lyra Escapes School Out Of The Window In Season 1
His Dark Materials Season 1, Episode 1 - “Lyra’s Jordan”
Lyra Belacqua was somewhat less than engaged by one of her classes in Oxford inHis Dark Materialsepisode 1, and she responded by jumping out of the window. In this first-ever episode ofHis Dark Materials, the 13-year-old DafneKeen proved that she had all the personality to carry off bold-faced rebellion. This spirited move set up her character perfectly, foreshadowing the gutsy moves that were to come.
Keen played the beleaguered Lyra well as she tried to navigate the numerous injustices of her world.
As Keen stated,His Dark Materialsis “a beautiful coming-of-age story.It’s a story about a girl against the system” (His Dark Materials HBO). As Lyra demonstrated by canceling school early on her own terms, she was neither inspired nor impressed by the religious dogma being dished out at Oxford University, which is where she was raised. Keen played the beleaguered Lyra well as she tried to navigate the numerous injustices of her world.
8Lyra Belacqua Guilt Trips Lord Asriel For Leaving
As Lord Asriel boarded his airship in the first episode of season 1, leaving Lyra, she begged him to stay with a heartrending question. This was perhaps the first sign of the true extent of Dafne Keen’s acting chops. The hurt on her face as she asked Asriel if the airship that her parents had died in had looked like his was tangible.Keen’s ability to play a tortured role was keyinHis Dark Materials. The British-Spanish actress was just gearing up, at this point, for the challenging trials to come.
Dafne Keen’s Underrated Show With 84% On RT Has One Of The Best Fantasy TV Endings Of All Time
His Dark Materials, starring Dafne Keen as Lyra Belacqua, is an underrated show that has one of the best endings in fantasy television history.
Lyra started life in difficulty, passed on as a baby to Oxford University under the edict of “scholastic sanctuary.” This rule, in Pullman’s Oxford, invoked the right of a parent to give a child to an academic institution to be reared. Abandoned with no understanding of her parentage,Lyra was understandably wayward. Keen expressed Lyra’s deep-seated distrust of adults and family flawlessly as she guilt-tripped Lord Asriel about leaving her like her parents did, believing him to be her uncle.
7Lyra Belacqua Meets Iorek The Armored Bear
Lyra meeting Iorek for the first time was unquestionably one of Dafne Keen’s best moments inHis Dark Materials. The BBC and HBO put a lot of money into adapting Pullman’s armored bear, and the care put into his character showed. DafneKeen’s performance as Lyra was subtle and nuancedas she held Iorek’s gaze, balancing fear with bravado. The clash of these two titans ensured an unforgettable dynamic and one that would blossom increasingly, lending itself to the dramatic twists and turns coming.
Philip Pullman’sHis Dark MaterialsisThe Golden Compass(1995),The Subtle Knife(1997), andThe Amber Spyglass(2000), consecutively.
His Dark Materialsended where the books ended, on a tragic note. Although there were no happy endings for Lyra and Will, which was hard to accept, it is magical creatures like Iorek that make a sequel powerfully tempting. Ultimately, the story wouldn’t work without Pullman continuing it, but Pullman did create companion books that could provide adaptation material. Regardless,Lyra and Iorek’s shaky start was everything it should have been, ensuring that the developing relationship between Iorek and Lyra would be just as gratifying as it was in the books.
6Lyra Nearly Gets Separated From Pantalaimon
His Dark Materials Season 1, Episode 6 - “The Daemon-Cages”
Lyra Belacqua was nearly separated from her daemon, Pantalaimon, necessitating some of Dafne Keen’s best work. Episode 6 ofHis Dark Materialsseason 1 took the fantasy TV show to new heights, genres, and places.Lyra had reached the frozen North, putting Keen through her pacesand entailing some of her most varied work yet as she navigated the dangers of the road.
But the horror of Bolvangar, suitably atmospheric, was the scariest the show had ever been. It fell to Keen to successfully evince the terror ofwhat happened to Lyra and Pantalaimonin Bolvangar -Lyra was taken to the operating theater where Pantalaimon was to be cut from her. However, dramatically screaming for her mother, Lyra was freed just in the nick of time.
5Lyra Rides A Giant Bear In His Dark Materials Season 1
His Dark Materials Season 1, Episode 8 - “Betrayal”
If Lyra meeting Iorek is one of the finer moments of the show, Lyra riding Iorek is even better. The grumpy panserbjørn is certainly a highlight ofHis Dark Materials, and Dafne Keen looked uncannily comfortable as his companion, riding on his back toward Asriel’s outpost near the aurora borealis. With the wind in her hair and a smile on her face,Keen captured the joy and freedom of fast rides, be they on a horse, motorcycle, or giant bear.
His Dark Materialscan be streamed on Hulu, Spectrum TV, and Max in the U.S.
However, Dafne Keen’s microexpressions are such that she appeared joyous one second and worried the next. The result was a brave young heroine with grim determination.It is no surprise that Keen was cast inDeadpool & Wolverine- she is superhero material. In fact,His Dark Materialsis the perfect viewing after Keen’s MCU return, which followed up her MCU debut in Logan.
4Lyra Meets Will In His Dark Materials Season 2
His Dark Materials Season 2, Episode 1 - “The City of Magpies”
It was glorious watching the first encounter between Lyra and Will inHis Dark Materialsseason 2, episode 1. “The City of Magpies” showed both Lyra and Will walking around an oddly deserted world, which they had entered through strange portals in their own worlds. Although DafneKeen portrayed Lyra’s kindness rapidly emerging, she was lightning-fast as Will’s attacker, having detected him lurking in the shadows.
Moments like this prove whyHis Dark Materialscould use a sequel- the chemistry between Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson was too strong for the story to end as tragically as it did.Keen and Wilson were physically magneticfrom their very first moments together in “The City of Magpies.” Proving her worth in a fight, Lyra set a precedent for her time with Will and all others as she pinned him to the table - she was not to be messed with.
3Lyra Takes Will’s Hand
His Dark Materials Season 3, Episode 2 - “The Break”
The touching moment where Lyra took Will’s hand inHis Dark Materialsseason 3, episode 2, was one of the standouts of the show, and one of Dafne Keen’s best performances.Lyra and Will went through hell togetherthroughout seasons 1 and 2 ofHis Dark Materialsand their relationship blossomed slowly. They clearly had a lot of trust in each other and were falling deeply in love.
However, the difficulty of their circumstances made it hard for them to enjoy a normal relationship. Lyra and Will’s serious connection was forged in the fire of survival and was deprived of the lighthearted romance that normal teens experience as they grow up. So, it was rewarding to finally see the two share the closeness and intimacy they deserved.It was a rare respite in a dark story, especially considering the future in store.
2Lyra Follows Roger To The Land Of The Dead
His Dark Materials Season 3, Episode 4 - “Lyra And Her Death”
InHis Dark Materialsseason 3, episode 4, Lyra went to the ends of the earth to find Roger, resulting in one of the high points of Dafne Keen’s career.Lyra’s friendship with Roger motivated herthroughout the whole TV show, as he was the only person she could rely on. Until she met Will, of course. Dafne Keen’s strength and fear as she entered the land of the dead was palpable.
His Dark Materials: How Each Character (& Daemon) Is Supposed To Look
The His Dark Materials trilogy by author Philip Pullman, has recently been brought to life by HBO. These are what the characters really look like.
Roger had survived a lot - he was kidnapped by Mrs. Coulter’s Gobblers and rescued by Lyra, only to be killed by Lord Asriel. Since Mrs. Coulter was Lyra’s mother and Lord Asriel was Lyra’s father, it is easy to see why she felt responsible for Roger’s death. DafneKeen was exceptional in portraying the pain of leaving Pantalaimonbehind as she chose to seek Roger, and her love for both Pantalaimon and Roger was entirely credible.
1Lyra Sitting On The Bench In The Last Episode
His Dark Materials Season 3, Episode 8 - “The Botanic Garden”
Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson both shone inHis Dark Materials’final episode, notably in its final scenes. Keen was at her most poignant as she measured the impact of losing the man that she may have loved more than anyone. Having lost each other to other universes for the safety and good of all others,Lyra and Will agreed to meet on the same benchin their respective Oxfords every year.
Wilson and Keen’s final goodbye was unbelievably heart-wrenching, and the following shots of them alone in their own worlds were haunting. The image of the solitary Dafne Keen, as Lyra, sitting on the bench, and reaching her hand out toward her imaginary lover, must be one of the most beautiful and tragic moments in fantasy TV. Keen confirmed a bright future for herself afterHis Dark Materialsin the show’s devastating finale.
His Dark Materials
Cast
Based on author Philip Pullman’s beloved novel trilogy, His Dark Materials is a fantasy/drama television series that follows Lyra, a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings, and protect dangerous secrets. Lyra will find that her life is inextricably linked with another as they discover they may be the ones to change the world.
