BBC’s ‘His Dark Materials’ adds James McAvoy and Clarke Peters

The cast of ‘His Dark Materials’ is coming together!

‘X-Men’ star James McAvoy and ‘The Wire’s’ Clarke Peters have signed on as cast members of BBC’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials fantasy book series, according to a report from Deadline.

McAvoy will take on the role of Lord Asriel — a major character in Pullman’s novels. Peters will presumably play the Master of Jordan College, the man who raises the story’s protagonist, Lyra Belacqua. They’ll be joining previously announced cast members Dafne Keen (Lyra Belacqua) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Lee Scoresby).

Actor James McAvoy as X’Men’s Professor X. McAvoy will play Lord Asriel in BBC’s upcoming adaptation of His Dark Materials.

BBC’s adaptation will be done in eight parts. ‘King’s Speech’ director Tom Hooper will direct the series, and the show is being written by ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ writer Jack Thorne.

The His Dark Materials novels are set in an alternate — but familiar — reality apart from our own, where people’s souls live outside their bodies in the form of animal “dæmon” companions. The show follows a young girl named Lyra who sets off on an adventure to rescue her kidnapped friend. The books have been praised for interweaving concepts of physics, philosophy and theology with fantasy elements.

Pullman’s mysterious and adventurous character Asriel was previously played on screen by James Bond actor Daniel Craig in New Line’s 2007 production of ‘The Golden Compass’ (adapted from Pullman’s novel Northern Lights).

Production of BBC’s adaptation is expected to begin later this month. A release date has not been set.