HBO’s Best Fantasy Show Since Game of Thrones Deserves a Sequel (& 2025 Makes It More Likely)

It’s highly plausible and desirable for HBO to produce a sequel to one of their exceptional fantasy TV series, as they are strongly associated with this genre due to the groundbreaking impact of “Game of Thrones.” This show revolutionized television in numerous aspects, triggering what is now known as a “fantasy boom” era. During this time, every broadcast network and streaming service attempted to discover the next “Game of Thrones,” whether it was something like “The Witcher” and “Shadow & Bone” on Netflix, or “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” and “The Wheel of Time” on Amazon Prime Video.

HBO has made its own efforts in this area, including the prequel series “House of the Dragon,” and many other potential “Game of Thrones” spin-offs in progress. However, among all these attempts, it’s widely recognized that “His Dark Materials” stands out – some might even say as the best fantasy show since “Thrones.” This show is an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s book trilogy by the same name (which was previously made into the film “The Golden Compass”). The story unfolds in a world that, on the surface, resembles our own, but here, people’s souls take the form of animal companions known as daemons. The narrative follows a young girl named Lyra, who sets out to find her missing friend, only to become embroiled in a much larger conspiracy. Along the way, she encounters witches, armored polar bears, and various other fantastical creatures. The story is a battle between good and evil, with Lyra at its heart.

Under the guidance of Dafne Keen as Lyra, the series excelled where its film version faltered, delivering a nearly flawless adaptation that boasted an intricate narrative, engaging character development, and poignant emotional moments. Although it didn’t achieve the same level of fame as Game of Thrones (a feat few have managed), following its conclusion in 2022, there is still merit in considering a continuation for this captivating series.

His Dark Materials Deserves A Sequel Show – And It Could Happen

In a stark contrast to the contentious finale of “Game of Thrones,” the conclusion to “His Dark Materials” is flawless. It brilliantly adapts the original material, tying up loose ends in a manner that satisfies on every level. The narrative effectively wraps up all essential plotlines and most importantly, it provides a deeply emotional resolution that aligns with the broader themes of the story. Yet, this doesn’t necessarily mark the end. Author Philip Pullman has revisited this world again, continuing the tale of Lyra among other stories.

The TV series has potential to expand further since Lyra’s story continues in the written form. Although the series primarily focuses on Lyra’s childhood, the new Book of Dust series delves into her adulthood. In an interview with Radio Times, author Philip Pullman expressed interest in reprising his role as Lyra, and while playing her for life may not be required, both the character and performance are compelling enough to warrant further exploration. There’s ample opportunity to create something fresh while staying true to the original, thereby adding more layers to the character.

In addition to being mesmerizingly depicted, the world presented is full of hidden mysteries waiting to be discovered. The Book of Dust series delves deeper into profound and existential questions from His Dark Materials, offering insights that not only enrich our comprehension of Pullman’s expansive universe but also shed light on Lyra’s original story. If it maintains the same high-quality storytelling as the initial seasons, a sequel series seems inevitable. Producer Jane Tranter has expressed her strong desire to bring The Book of Dust books to life in an interview with Radio Times.

The progress on a potential sequel for “His Dark Materials” has been slow since the show concluded, but there’s renewed optimism for 2025. This is because Philip Pullman is wrapping up his trilogy, titled “The Book of Dust,” with the final installment, “The Rose Field,” due out on October 23rd. As it stands, this will likely be the last book featuring Lyra, marking the conclusion of her story. With a complete trilogy available, HBO now has a clear roadmap to adapt and could potentially revive the series. Much like “Game of Thrones” has enough depth and source material for spinoffs and prequels, so too does “His Dark Materials.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that you can now find the enchanting three seasons of “His Dark Materials” and the epic eight seasons of “Game of Thrones” streaming on HBO Max. Enjoy the journey!

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2025-09-06 18:10