Looks Like We’re Getting At Least Twice As Much Of Tom Hooper’s HIS DARK MATERIALS

Hey, y'all remember how Tom Hooper, a filmmaker for whom we have nothing but unironic and completely genuine respect for, is making a TV adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials for the BBC? Well, rejoice polar bear fans, because Deadline has caught wind that the BBC just upped the order from one eight-episode season to two eight-episode seasons!

What does this mean, exactly? Well, it tells us that Hooper and crew aren't likely planning to adapt the entire fantasy trilogy in one go, and are instead opting to devote one season to each of the series' three books. This means season one would be analogous to The Golden Compass, season two would explore The Subtle Knife, and - should the third season get a greenlight - it would close out the series with The Amber Spyglass.

Do we know for sure that's what they're up to? Not really, but it's what would make the most sense, especially because key characters from the later books haven't had any casting announced yet. And if the BBC is ordering a second season this early, it must mean they have faith that people are going to like whatever it is Hooper has cooked up in filming, which started earlier this month.

The cast so far includes Daphne Keen, James McAvoy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ruth Wilson, and we'll let you know when we hear anything more about casting for season two, release dates, or if Tom Hooper suddenly appears to have made something cool.