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- Its Dark Materials ended after three seasons and 23 episodes in total. The series, which aired on BBC One in the UK and HBO Max in the US, ended its run on December 26, 2022, although it won’t air its final episodes until February 5, 2023 in the UK. While many fans wanted to see more of the fantasy series, the show ended on a satisfying note, even if it wasn’t as faithful to the source material as some die-hard Pullman fans might have hoped. The good news is that fans can relive His Dark Materials anytime they want on HBO Max and there are even more shows that share a similar storyline to the fantasy epic to check out later.
His Dark Materials, based on Philip Pullman’s fantasy trilogy, became a huge hit in its first season. Starring Dafne Keen and James McAvoy, His Dark Materials brings audiences a world where everyone is born with a spirit animal called a demon. It follows Keen, who plays Lyra, as she discovers she is destined for greatness after discovering her true heritage and abilities.
UPDATED: 2022/12/27 00:15 EST BY SHAWN S. LEALOS
Its Dark Materials ended after three seasons and 23 episodes in total. The series, which aired on BBC One in the UK and HBO Max in the US, ended its run on December 26, 2022, although it won’t air its final episodes until February 5, 2023 in the UK. While many fans wanted to see more of the fantasy series, the show ended on a satisfying note, even if it wasn’t as faithful to the source material as some die-hard Pullman fans might have hoped. The good news is that fans can relive His Dark Materials anytime they want on HBO Max and there are even more shows that share a similar storyline to the fantasy epic to check out later.
Sweet Tooth (2021-)
Stream now on Netflix
Just like in His Dark Materials, kids find themselves thrust into a life-and-death battle in Sweet Tooth. However, instead of having animal demons, in this show the kids are half animals themselves. The main character is Gus, a half-human, half-deer boy on the run after all the babies born in the world were hybrids. The story sees humans fearing hybrids will soon take over, and they want to hold on until extinction occurs.
Additionally, much like His Dark Materials, Sweet Tooth views adult characters as both allies, enemies, and those who straddle the line and remain untrustworthy throughout. There is only one season so far on Netflix, but more are on the way. Based on a comic book series, the story gets very dark at times, and it could get a lot darker as it goes.
Shadow and Bones (2021-)
Stream now on Netflix
Much like His Dark Materials, the Netflix series Shadow and Bone is based on a trilogy of fantasy novels, and in both cases the hero is a young woman who finds herself thrown into a battle she might not be prepared for. combat. While Lyra has special skills that make her a huge asset in the battle between worlds, Alina has true superhuman powers needed to stop the darkness from overtaking her world.
In this case, Alina is a solar summoner who can control light. However, she soon finds those she believes to be allies, but are actually enemies when she falls in love with a young man who turned out to be a Darkling. There is one season on Netflix and another coming in 2023.
The Witcher (2019-)
Stream now on Netflix
A girl is destined for something much bigger but lives her life in secret after her parents are apparently murdered. In nearly identical storylines, Lyra and Ciri from The Witcher have similar fates. Unlike Lyra, Ciri has a mutated monster hunter by her side instead of a weasel.
The Witcher is based on novels and video games of the same name, and it’s got all the monsters and mystical creatures you could hope for – and more. There have been two seasons with a third in 2023. However, one thing that worries fans is that Henry Cavill is leaving the show as Geralt. However, there’s also a spinoff series that hit in December 2022 called The Witcher: Blood Origin that should keep things interesting.
Watership Down (2018)
Stream now on Netflix
This Netflix Watership Down miniseries based on the 1972 novel by Richard Adams is a bit different from His Dark Materials. However, it is a must watch for fans of this fantastic series. It’s based on a family of rabbits who try to fight off human intrusion to save their homes.
If that’s not intriguing enough, the voice cast consists of James McAvoy (Lord Asriel of His Dark Materials), Ben Kingsley and Jon Boyega. Even though it’s only four episodes long, the miniseries is still a clever retelling of a classic fantasy tale.
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Stream now on HBO Max
The CW show The Vampire Diaries is based on two brothers who also happen to be beautiful and powerful vampires. The two then fall in love with a high school girl. Although it sounds like Twilight, the two differ because that show portrays vampires as terrifying and cunning creatures, while also including werewolves, witches, and deadly ghosts.
Like His Dark Materials, the series has a young female protagonist who is destined for something greater and must do what she can to save the world. Another comparison is, of course, the fact that they’re both based on popular novels.
Refugees (2015)
Stream now on Freevee
Refugees was a short-lived one-season wonder based on a group of “refugees” who travel to the past to avoid their barren future. This comes at a cost as they are forced to forget their families and live in silence to avoid being spotted in the future.
One glaring similarity between the two shows is that they star the talented Dafne Keen and the plots both revolve around her characters. Even though the plots themselves are different, The Refugees is a good show for fans of the talented young actress to watch.
Locke & Key (2020-2022)
Stream now on Netflix
Based on the comic book series by Stephen King’s son, Joe King, and artist Gabriel Rodríguez, Locke & Key follows a family that returns to their family estate after a college student murders their father. Like the compass in His Dark Materials, this show is based on supernatural objects with mystical abilities, in this case mysterious keys. The first person to understand the powers of the keys is the youngest son Bode, and he unleashes great evil.
Locke & Key ran for three seasons on Netflix, and while it derived from the comic book stories, it provided a thoroughly satisfying story and conclusion, much like Its Dark Materials. Similarly, Locke & Key also forces children into dangerous situations and forces them to help save the world.
The Magicians (2015-2020)
Stream now on Netflix
This Syfy Channel series The Magicians doesn’t get much critical love, but over its 5 seasons it has managed to garner a cult following. In a world where magic and fantasy are very real, five college-aged students must work together using their magical abilities to save the world from impending doom.
The Magicians has fantasy, with mystical creatures and a Narnia-like realm, it has suspense, dealing with the underworld and a pedophile demon. There’s even romance and passion, with the characters often dying for each other.
A Discovery of Witches (2018-2022)
Stream now on Prime Video
A Discovery of Witches follows a young historian who discovers a way to summon mystical creatures and forbidden love. Like Lyra, young witch Diana comes into possession of something that completely changes her life and leaves her vulnerable to unwanted attention.
Like His Dark Materials, this fantasy series lasted just three seasons, originally airing on Sky One in the UK and later on AMC and Prime Video in the US. The series ended in early 2022 and ended with a nice arc on the proceedings, making it a solid watch from start to finish.
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Stream now on HBO Max
Despite its controversial eighth season, Game of Thrones was one of the most popular shows in television history, attracting millions of viewers worldwide and creating a huge cult following. Like His Dark Materials, Game of Thrones is loosely based on the novels, and they follow the stories of a young orphan.
Jon Snow is not a helpless child and his animal companion is a magnificent Dire Wolf. His fate is a little different, but they both have similar motivations and a will for adventure. Like Jon, Lyra has good and strong morals, and she can easily influence others with her sympathetic personality. For Game of Thrones fans, there’s also the current spin-off series on HBO Max, House of the Dragon.
Librarians (2014-2018)
Stream now on Hulu
The Librarians is based on the film series of the same name. It follows the same concept as the movies, but it takes place after those events. Like His Dark Materials, the librarians of this show represent all the knowledge in the world and will do everything possible to protect it.
There are plenty of demons and other creatures that threaten Librarians, so there’s plenty of action and drama. Each season is packed with action, adventure, and fantasy to keep fans entertained. In the end, there were four seasons and 42 episodes before it was canceled.
Carnival Row (2019-)
Stream now on Prime Video
This star-studded Carnival Row show has all the fantasy of His Dark Materials with all the mystery and excitement of a big-budget show. Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne both put on incredible performances as detective and fairy, and their chemistry makes this show a must-watch. To add to that, the mystical creatures and the overall effects and feel of the scenes is something that makes this show an instant classic.
However, fans should remain patient. The first season arrived in 2019, but thanks to COVID-19 delays, the second season won’t arrive until February 2023, nearly four years later.