His Dark Materials is back this weekend, and stars Dafne Keen and Ariyon Bakare have been teasing a ‘much more emotional’ series two ahead of its return.
The actors, who play Lyra Belacqua and Carlo Boreal respectively on the show, appeared on This Morning ahead of the first episode this Sunday.
Dafne said that fans can expect things to be ‘much darker, more raw [and] much more emotional’ this time around.
Speaking to presenters Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, Dafne said that the show ‘comes back to Lyra in another universe, grieving for her only family.’
The actress added: ‘She meets this strange boy who somehow becomes her friend. Together they battle their way through life.’
Dafne, who is 15, also spoke about having to combine her acting with studying at school. ‘I don’t really enjoy school, but I just have to do it,’ she said, explaining how days on set are broken up with lessons.
Speaking about the appeal of His Dark Materials, Ariyon said: ‘You’re seeing a young girl grow up. You’re following her journey.’
Ariyon also spoke about his own experiences of being a young actor, revealing he was homeless at 15 and had to deal with his own struggles. Presenter Ruth it was an ‘inspirational story’.
The new series of His Dark Materials is based on Philip Pullman’s fantasy novel The Subtle Knife, introducing the terrifying Spectres who haunt the living.
While the show was forced to cut James McAvoy’s standalone episode, the series is welcoming a host of A-list talent for the new run.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge has joined the cast and will be reuniting with her Fleabag co-star Andrew Scott, while Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jade Anouka, Simone Kirby, Ruth Wilson and Ariyon Bakare are also set to make an appearance.
His Dark Materials returns on Sunday at 8.10pm on BBC One.
