Polly Hill, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning, has announced: "It is an honour to be bringing Philip Pullman's extraordinary novels to BBC One. His Dark Materials is a stunning trilogy, and a drama event for young and old - a real family treat that shows our commitment to original and ambitious storytelling."
Northern Lights introduces Lyra, an orphan, who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Lyra's search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children, and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. In The Subtle Knife she is joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As Lyra learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds and leads to a thrilling conclusion in The Amber Spyglass.
His Dark Materials has been previously adapted as a stage play, radio play and in 2006 Dakota Blue Richards starred as Lyra alongside Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig in the film The Golden Compass which had been expected to be the first in a franchise.
His Dark Materials will be produced by Bad Wolf and New Line Cinema, in their first venture into TV production, and the initial 8-part series will shoot in Wales next year.