His Dark Materials adaptation divides viewers' opinions

His Dark Materials arrived on our screens this week thanks to HBO and the BBC.

After seeing the teaser trailer in March fans have been extremely excited to see the world they love come to life. The new adaptation gives us the characters many of us fell in love with from Pullman’s books including the main protagonist Lyra Belacqua who is played by Dafne Keen and the wonderful James McAvoy who will play Lord Asriel. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins) plays Texan aeronaut Lee Scoresby, while James Cosmo and Lucian Msamati play as Farder Coram and John Faa respectively.

Any fan of the book series will be pleased to see far more detail from the book included in the television series, as opposed to the movie The Golden Compass, which left out chunks of the story and never managed to make enough at the box office to carry on the movie franchise.

8 intense episodes will run over 2 seasons, and the first episode aired on Sunday 3rd November 2019 to a varied response! Some viewers were confused, others glad they’d read the book first, and others just pleased with the rich and complex world and characters.

People took to Twitter to express their bafflement/amazement/joy.

Lyra and Pantalaimon

Thank God I read Phillip Pullmans His Dark Materials back in the day because I’d be confused as FOOK watching the show otherwise
— Sarah Something West (@SarahWJelly) 3 November 2019

I thought the first episode of His Dark Materials was fine, not great, not bad, fine. I think it would‘ve been confusing if I hadn’t read the books. A slow start & lots is different to in my head, which is odd to see. They did a good job building a world with the right atmosphere
— Sam Creighton (@sam_creighton) 4 November 2019

I enjoyed His Dark Materials last night. However, watching it with someone who's never read the book, it quickly became clear that it was very confusing and there was a lackof relatable or likeable characters in ep1 for those coming to it cold.
— graeme (@astrotomato) 4 November 2019

Just finished watching the first episode of His Dark Materials and to say I am confused is an understatement! Maybe it make sense if you read the books. I should probably stick to Harry Potter!
— Margaret Rose (@margaretrose27) 3 November 2019

BBC1's audience right now #HisDarkMaterials pic.twitter.com/P99TfsmNWm
— Elliot (@Wengle) 3 November 2019

her voice. her hair. her outfit. her everything - ruth wilson is the perfect mrs coulter #HisDarkMaterials
— Jade (@reqinaswan) 3 November 2019

JW #HisDarkMaterials EP 1 of the new BBC/HBO series based of Philip Pullmans trilogy.
I'm new to HDM so went into this with a open mind & was very pleased with what I saw, it was fun engaging & imaginative. Really liked the characters & the Interesting world aswell. I'm invested pic.twitter.com/3m9f67yJRv
— JAMΞS (@NormaJeansBaker) 3 November 2019

Still in awe of last night’s HIS DARK MATERIALS. Talk about hitting the ground running. Feels very much like the first chapter of a Pullman book and it captures the same magic.

Lyra’s Oxford really comes alive. pic.twitter.com/rZQOjUUep6
— Milo (@MiloBOK) 4 November 2019

First episode of His Dark Materials was very good. I didn't think I would enjoy it. Hopeful that the adaptation won't shy away from the dark parts of the books, or ignore the religious stuff like the film did.
— ಠ__ಠ (@EgregiousnessX) 4 November 2019

The 1st ep of His Dark Materials wasa so so so FANTASTIC! The casting, the decors 😍 I've been waiting since I was 12 y/o for a good adaptation of these books, you don't understand how happy this makes me #HisDarkMaterials pic.twitter.com/2xYDZnWhKm
— Coraline🌹 (@mirrorravenclaw) 3 November 2019

It seems like the first episode was precisely what was expected for those of us who have read the book, while others are a little confused by the new world and characters! Hopefully as the series progresses all will become clear for the viewers who don’t have the original novel as context.