BBC's 'His Dark Materials' series finds its writer

One of fantasy's most beloved trilogies is finally getting the adaptation it deserves.

The BBC announced Tuesday that Philip Pullman's groundbreaking His Dark Materials series -- Northern Lights/The Golden Compass (depending on whether you're in the UK or the U.S.), The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass -- will be adapted for television by Jack Thorne, a multiple BAFTA nominee who got his start on Shameless and Skins.

“It is such an honour and a privilege to be given this opportunity to delve into Philip Pullman's world," Thorne said in a statement. "The His Dark Materials trilogy are vast and glorious books full of beautiful characters, and I'm going to work as hard as I can to try and do justice to them.”

The BBC first revealed that it would adapt Pullman's novels in November. The novels follow the adventures of 12-year-old Lyra Belacqua, who lives in a parallel universe version of Oxford where humans are constantly accompanied by animal "daemons," the literal embodiments of their souls. 

The first book in the series was previously adapted into the 2007 film The Golden Compass, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig.

Though the film -- which toned down many of the book's signature elements, including its criticism of the Catholic church -- was meant to launch a Harry Potter-esque franchise, it received mixed reviews and disappointing box office returns. Plans for sequels were eventually scrapped.

The series has also been adapted into several other forms of media, including a stage play and a series of graphic novels.

The BBC's take will shoot in Wales and air on BBC One. Philip Pullman is among its executive producers -- a good sign, considering he didn't have the same role in the 2007 feature adaptation.

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