Lin-Manuel Miranda Joins the Cast of the BBC’s His Dark Materials Adaptation – Today’s News: Our Take

Variety reports that the BBC’s upcoming series adaptation of Phillip Pullman’s classic young adult fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials has made a big addition, and we’re so excited, because it’s perfect. Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda as charming adventurer and hot air balloon pilot Lee Scoresby? Oh my God yes. This deck is absolutely stacked.

Miranda joins previously announced (and expertly selected) cast members including Logan‘s Dafne Keen as headstrong heroine Lyra Belacqua, James McAvoy as debonair explorer Lord Asriel, and Ruth Wilson as cruel bureaucrat Mrs. Coulter.

In Pullman’s novels — The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass — Scoresby is a Texan cowboy adventurer who travels via hot air balloon and helps Lyra and her friends with their quests. In the botched 2007 movie adaptation, he was played by Sam Elliott, a much more conventionally cowboyish choice, but Miranda can do rakish charm and warmth better than just about anybody, so he’s perfect for the part. If he can make fake rap about history into perhaps the most brilliant work of the decade, he can make a hot air balloon cool.

The eight-episode first season of the His Dark Materials adaptation is written by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child scribe Jack Thorne and directed by John Adams‘ Tom Hooper. It’s currently in production in Wales, and according to Deadline will be one of the most expensive British productions to date. Apple and Netflix are reportedly in contention for U.S. distribution. No premiere date has been set.

Earlier this week, FX announced that Miranda will be producing a limited series about Bob Fosse that will star Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams. He will next be seen in the movie Mary Poppins Returns.