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When is His Dark Material series 2 on BBC One? Release date, cast, trailer and plot

THE first series of His Dark Materials was an instant success, and was met with an overwhelming demand for a second series.

The fantasy drama will return with eight gripping new episodes this Sunday (November 8).

 His Dark Materials will return for a second series on Sunday
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His Dark Materials will return for a second series on SundayCredit: BBC

When does His Dark Materials season 2 start?

His Dark Materials season 2 will begin on Sunday November 8 at 8:10pm, straight after Strictly Come Dancing.

The series will consist of eight episodes.

Series one is available to watch on .

 His Dark Materials is a BBC fantasy drama series
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His Dark Materials is a BBC fantasy drama seriesCredit: BBC/HBO

Who's in the cast?

It safe to say that the His Dark Materials TV series will be picking up where the first one left off, so expect to see most of the original cast return for the second series (with a few extra famous faces):

Dafne Keen

The youngster plays Lyra Belacqua, the heroine in His Dark Materials and was raised at the fictional Jordan College.

14-year-old Kean also starred in 2017 film Logan , for which she received an MTV Movie and TV award as part of the 'Best Duo' with Hugh Jackman.

Her mother and father are British actor Will Kean and theatre director María Fernández Ache.

 Keen won an Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer
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Keen won an Empire Award for Best Female NewcomerCredit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

Ruth Wilson

The actress plays Mrs. Coulter, she is Lyra's mother as well as an explorer and authoritative figure at the Magisterium.

She is know for playing Alison Lockhart in The Affair as well as Alice Morgan in the critically-acclaimed Luther.

In 2014 Wilson won a Golden Globe Award for 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role' in The Affair in 2014.

 Wilson is a two-time Olivier Award winner
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Wilson is a two-time Olivier Award winnerCredit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

Clarke Peters

The American plays The Master Of Jordan College, part of Oxford University in Lyra's world.

Peters has starred in popular HBO drama series The Wire, as well as Treme, another HBO program.

More recently,  Peters has portrayed Alonzo Quinn on the CBS crime drama Person of Interest and Isaiah Page on The Divide.

 Peter Clarke had his first theatre experience at the age of 12
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Peter Clarke had his first theatre experience at the age of 12Credit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

James Cosmo

Veteran actor James Cosmo plays the role of Farder Coram, an elderly Gyptian and former lover of Serafina, a witch who is a member of a coven at Lake Enera.

The Scotsman has appeared in films such as Highlander, Braveheart and The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

He also entered the Celebrity Big Brother House in January 2017 and finished fourth place.

 James is He is a patron of the charity Chance for Childhood
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James is He is a patron of the charity Chance for ChildhoodCredit: BBC

Ariyon Bakare

Bakare plays Lord Carlo Boreal, an authoritative figure at the Magisterium who crosses between two different worlds.

The 48-year-old has featured in different programs such as former soap Family Affairs and Doctors, along with guest roles in The Bill, Casualty and Holby City.

More recently, he has appeared in Good Omens and Carnival Row, two shows that are exclusive to Amazon Prime.

 Fans will recognise Ariyon Bakare from Good Omens and Carnival Row
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Fans will recognise Ariyon Bakare from Good Omens and Carnival RowCredit: Andrew Sims - The Times

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott stars as Col John Parry, also known as Doctor Stanislaus Grumman in series 2.

Scott is best known for playing Moriarty in BBC's Sherlock, he has also appeared in other big BBC shows such as Fleabag and Black Mirror.

 Andrew Scott stars as Doctor Stanislaus Grumman
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Andrew Scott stars as Doctor Stanislaus GrummanCredit: PA:Press Association

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Grumman's daemon in series 2 of the show.

Waller-Bridge and Scott have great chemistry, as seen in Fleabag.

Waller-Bridge became a household name after producing Killing Eve and writing Fleabag.

 Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Grumman's daemon
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Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Grumman's daemonCredit: AP:Associated Press

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin plays Texan aeronaut and adventurer, Lee Scoresby.

Miranda took the world by storm after writing and appearing in the hit musical Hamilton.

Lin told the that he loved the His Dark Materials books: "My wife and I read them together when we were first dating - they were the books we fell in love to."

 Actor and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Lee Scoresby
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Actor and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Lee ScoresbyCredit: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digit

What will happen in season 2?

While it is likely that most of the story beats will continue in the new season, the first series has already played around with the story a bit, so season two still has potential to surprise fans.

It's almost certain that Will Parry will join Lyra in Cittàgazze at some point, the two moving between their own worlds and other.

There are newly discovered universes as we begin to see the cosmic consequences of Asriel's discoveries regarding the nature of Dust.

We can also assume that the Magisterium will play an even larger role in season two than they have thus far, further cementing His Dark Materials as a  of Pullman's work.

His Dark Materials season 2 first look revealed as Phoebe Waller Bridge joins the cast
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