HIS Darkish Supplies boss has revealed why James McAvoy’s Lord Asriel episode was axed from season two.
Followers of the BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman’s books had hoped to see extra of the actor in season two, with him solely popping up within the season finale.
His Darkish Supplies boss has revealed why a James McAvoy episode as Lord Asriel was axed from season twoCredit score: Alamy
Nevertheless, showrunner Jane Tranter has revealed how James, 41, had truly filmed a particular episode in Wales in March this 12 months, solely to be thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic shutting down TV and movie manufacturing across the globe.
Season two is predicated on Pullman’s second e book, The Refined Knife, which solely features a few transient references to Lord Asriel, however Jane and author Jack Thorne had needed to incorporate an episode that confirmed what the character was as much as whereas the occasions of the e book was going down.
Season two follows Lyra as she steps by a portal opened by Asriel on the finish of season one into Cittàgazze, a metropolis ravaged by beings known as spectres who assault and feed on people.
Jane informed Entertainment Weekly: “What we needed to do was truly clarify the story of Cittàgazze, how the city was abandoned and Asriel’s function in that, and what occurred to Asriel and the place he goes and why.
Solely a small little bit of footage from James’ episode featured within the season two finale Credit score: HBO
“That lacking episode [took place] three days earlier than the beginning of season 2. So that you flash again three days and then you definitely meet up with the place season 2 began.”
Jane and Jack managed to make use of a number of the footage James shot within the closing moments of season two, which noticed Asriel discover the angels and ask them to hitch forces with him towards the Authority.
Season three has now been commissioned, specializing in the occasions of the third e book, The Amber Spyglass.
Whereas the continuing pandemic might trigger additional delays to its manufacturing, Jane is not certain if James’ axed episode might be revisited.
The episode was going to comply with what Lord Asriel was as much as whereas the occasions of season two have been going down Credit score: Alamy
She defined: “If we have been to ever have a look at that episode once more, it might be an entire one-off particular.
“I do not know if, by the point we have completed The Amber Spyglass, what the urge for food could be for that the additional away you progress from The Refined Knife.”
She continued: “It’s totally intwined with all of the mythology of that world. It felt like a delicate manner of answering all of the questions the viewers had about Cittàgazze, about spectres, about a number of the mythology. So, I do not know.”
His Darkish Supplies is obtainable on BBC iPlayer
