A new face is joining the cast of HBO’s His Dark Materials, which adapts the best-selling Philip Pullman trilogy for the small screen. Amir Wilson will play Will Parry, a 12 year-old boy from a dimension where daemons do not take their own corporeal forms, unlike in Lyra Belacqua’s (Dafne Keen) world. He first appears in the second book of the trilogy, The Subtle Knife, and remains through the conclusion of the series in The Amber Spyglass.
It’s no secret that His Dark Materials will get at least two seasons; BBC initially ordered a two-season run, with HBO picking up worldwide rights. Fans have wondered who would take on the role of Will, since he plays such an integral role in the books as Lyra’s best friend and most loyal companion. Now we have an answer, and response on social media has already been overwhelmingly positive.
“One day, you’ll follow in your father’s footsteps. You’re going to be a great man too. You’ll take up his mantle."
Introducing @Amirrwilsonn as Will Parry.#HisDarkMaterials pic.twitter.com/6lPg1bssmZ— His Dark Materials (@darkmaterials) June 6, 2019
According to IMDb, Wilson plays an uncredited role in The Kid Who Would Be King and he will play Dickon in Jack Thorne’s 2020 adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, which previously saw a film adaptation in 1993. Thorne is also adapting Pullman’s novels for TV.
It will be some time before we see Wilson in His Dark Materials, opposite Keen, James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson and others, assuming each season explores one book in the trilogy. For now, check out the first trailer for season one below and stay tuned for more details on this upcoming series.
