Tranter prodco adapting His Dark Materials for BBC

Jane Tranter’s new prodco is making a new drama series for BBC One based on the best-selling fantasy book series His Dark Materials.

The show will be the first from Bad Wolf, the Wales-based prodco Tranter set up earlier this year after leaving her LA-based role at BBC Worldwide. It will make the series, which will be shot in Wales, alongside New Line Cinema.

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore and BBC drama boss Polly Hill ordered the series. No writers or casting announcements have been made.

Based on the hugely successful trilogy from Philip Pullman, the series is expected to go out in a family-friendly tea-time slot on BBC One. The books follows the adventures of Lyra, an orphan who uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust.

Pullman said: “In recent years we’ve seen how long stories on television, whether adaptations or original, can reach depths of characterisation and heights of suspense by taking the time for events to make their proper impact and for consequences to unravel.”

“And the sheer talent now working in the world of long-form television is formidable. For all those reasons I’m delighted at the prospect of a television version of His Dark Materials. I’m especially pleased at the involvement of Jane Tranter, whose experience, imagination, and drive are second to none. As for the BBC, it has no stronger supporter than me.”

The BBC’s Hill said: “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.”

Jane Tranter said: “The broad horizons of television suggests itself as the best of vehicles to capture the expansiveness of the story and worlds of Lyra and Will and I am looking forward to seeing how Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass will occupy their place in an audience’s imagination across many episodes and seasons.”

His Dark Materials has been published in more than forty languages and has sold worldwide close to 17.5 million copies.