This article contains spoilers for Your dark materials.Your dark materials was one of the best fantasy series on TV in 2019, with Dafne Keen providing many of its best moments. The young actress played the main character Lyra Belacqua in the adaptation of Philip Pullman's hugely successful YA book series Your dark materials. Each season of Your dark materials had something unique to offer and Keen matured with the series. Growing older as the story grew darker left Keen perfectly poised to embody the shift in tone and complexity of the adaptation, leading her to set up some of the series' most memorable arcs.
Together with Its dark materials' witches and Marisa Coulter, Lyra represents one of the strongest female fantasy characters of the 2010s. Mrs. Coulter met her match in her stubborn daughter, appropriately enough. It was incredibly impressive that Keen was able to stand up to Wilson's experienced talent during filming Its dark materials, especially considering the ingenuity of Wilson's Marisa. Seasons 1 and 2 were filmed back-to-back, between 2018 and 2019, while Keen was 13 and Wilson was 36. Keens' younger self delivered just as many moving lines as Season 3's Keen, who was 16 when filming began.
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Lyra stealing bacon from Scoresby in the Frozen North
His Dark Materials Season 1 Episode 4 – “Armour”
Lee Scoresby was brilliantly played by Lin-Manuel Miranda in Your dark materialsand his great chemistry with Dafne Keen was represented by a captivating moment in episode 5. In one of the Its dark materials' happy moments of joyful fun, Lyra bonded with cheerful Lee Scoresby over breakfast. Really made Your dark materials style, the nature of this bond was Lyra trying to barter for Scoresby's services while stealing bacon from his plate. Although not very pleased, Scoresby's good nature was radiant.
Keen played a character who was wise beyond her years...
This was a standout moment for Dafne Keen as it perfectly showcased her embodiment of the resourceful orphan. Lyra's relationship with Scoresby has been evident since the displacement - they were "both drug dealers," in Keen's own words (Your Dark Materials HBO). Keen played a character who was wise beyond her years, and her adorably sassy demeanor only served to make her seem more capable. Scoresby seemed subtly impressed.
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Lyra escapes from school through the window in season 1
His Dark Materials, season 1, episode 1 – “Lyra’s Jordan”
Lyra Belacqua was not at all interested in one of her classes at Oxford, Your dark materials episode 1, and she responded by jumping out of the window. In this first episode of Your dark materialsDaphne, 13 years old Keen proved he had all the personality to carry out a bold rebellion. This witty move perfectly set up her character, foreshadowing the bold moves to come.
Keen played the beleaguered Lyra well as she tries to navigate the numerous injustices of her world.
As Keen stated, Your dark materials is"A beautiful coming-of-age story. It's a story about a girl against the system" (Your Dark Materials HBO). As Lyra demonstrated by canceling school early on her own terms, she was neither inspired nor impressed by the religious dogma pervasive at Oxford University, where she was raised. Keen played the beleaguered Lyra well as she tries to navigate the numerous injustices of her world.
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Lyra Belacqua's guilt causes Lord Asriel to leave
His Dark Materials, season 1, episode 1 – “Lyra’s Jordan”
When Lord Asriel boarded his airship in the first episode of Season 1, leaving Lyra, she begged him to stay with a poignant question. This was perhaps the first sign of the true extent of Dafne Keen's role. The pain on her face when she asked Asriel if the aircraft her parents died in looked like his was tangible. Keen's ability to play a tortured role was pivotal in Your dark materials. The Anglo-Spanish actress was just preparing herself, at this point, for the challenging trials ahead.
Lyra began her life in difficulty, going to Oxford University as a baby under the edict of "school sanctuary."This rule, at Pullman's Oxford, invoked the right of parents to hand over a child to be raised in an academic institution. Abandoned without understanding of his ancestry, Lyra was understandably rebellious. Keen perfectly expressed Lyra's deep distrust of adults and family while feeling guilty about Lord Asriel for leaving her as her parents did, believing him to be her uncle.
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Lyra Belacqua meets Iorek, the armored bear
His Dark Materials Season 1 Episode 4 – “Armour”
Lyra meeting Iorek for the first time was undoubtedly one of Dafne Keen's best moments in Your dark materials. The BBC and HBO invested a lot of money in adapting Pullman's armored bear, and the care given to his character was evident. Daphne Keen's performance as Lyra was subtle and nuanced as she held Iorek's gaze, balancing fear with bravado. The clash of these two titans ensured an unforgettable dynamic that would flourish more and more, lending itself to the dramatic twists and turns that were approaching.
Your dark materials ended where the books ended, on a tragic note. While there were no happy endings for Lyra and Will, which was hard to accept, it's magical creatures like Iorek that make a sequel powerfully tempting. Ultimately, the story wouldn't work without Pullman continuing it, but Pullman created companion books that could provide adaptation material. Without considering, Lyra and Iorek's shaky start was everything it should have beenensuring that the developing relationship between Iorek and Lyra would be as fulfilling as it was in the books.
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Lyra almost separates from Pantalaimon
His Dark Materials Season 1 Episode 6 - "The Daemon-Cages"
Lyra Belacqua was nearly separated from her daemon, Pantalaimon, necessitating some of Dafne Keen's best work. Episode 6 of Your dark materials season one took the fantasy TV show to new heights, genres, and places. Lyra reached the frozen north, putting Keen to the test and involving some of her most varied work as she navigated the dangers of the road.
But Bolvangar's suitably atmospheric horror was the scariest the show has ever been. It was up to Keen to successfully highlight the terror of what happened to Lyra and Pantalaimon in Bolvangar - Lyra was taken to the operating room where Pantalaimon would be cut from her body.. However, screaming dramatically for her mother, Lyra was freed just in time.
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Lyra Rides a Giant Bear in Her First Season of Dark Materials
His Dark Materials, season 1, episode 8 – “Betrayal”
If Lyra meeting Iorek is one of the show's best moments, Lyra riding Iorek is even better. The feisty panserbjørn is certainly a highlight of Your dark materialsand Dafne Keen looked strangely comfortable as his companion, riding backward toward Asriel's outpost near the northern lights. With the wind in your hair and a smile on your face, Keen captured the joy and freedom of fast rideswhether they are on horseback, motorcycle or giant bear.
Your dark materials can be streamed on Hulu, Spectrum TV and Max in the US
However, Dafne Keen's micro-expressions are such that she looked cheerful one second and worried the next. The result was a courageous young heroine with a grim determination. It's no surprise that Keen was cast Deadpool and Wolverine - she's superhero material. In truth, Your dark materials is the perfect viewing following Keen's return to the MCU, which followed his MCU debut in Logan.
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Lyra meets Will in her second season of Dark Materials
His Dark Materials Season 2 Episode 1 - "The City of Magpies"
It was glorious to watch Lyra and Will's first meeting in Your dark materials Season 2, Episode 1. "The City of Magpies" showed Lyra and Will walking through a strangely deserted world, which they entered through strange portals into their own worlds. Although Daphne Keen portrayed Lyra's kindness emerging quicklyshe was extremely quick as Will's attacker, having detected him lurking in the shadows.
Moments like this prove why Your dark materials a sequel could be useful - the chemistry between Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson was too strong for the story to end as tragically as it did. Keen and Wilson were physically magnetic from their first moments together in "The City of Magpies." Proving herself in a fight, Lyra set a precedent for her time with Will and everyone else by pinning him to the table - she was not to be bothered.
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Lyra takes Will's hand
His Dark Materials, season 3, episode 2 – “The Break”
The touching moment Lyra took Will's hand Your dark materials season 3, episode 2, was one of the highlights of the series and one of Dafne Keen's best performances. Lyra and Will went through hell together throughout seasons 1 and 2 of Your dark materials and their relationship slowly blossomed. They clearly trusted each other a lot and were falling deeply in love.
However, the difficulty of their circumstances made it difficult for them to enjoy a normal relationship. Lyra and Will's serious connection was forged in the fires of survival and was deprived of the light-hearted romance that normal teenagers experience as they grow up. So, it was gratifying to finally see the two sharing the closeness and intimacy they deserved. It was a rare break in a dark storyespecially considering what the future holds.
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Lyra follows Roger to the land of the dead
His Dark Materials Season 3 Episode 4 – 'Lyra And Her Death'
In Your dark materials Season 3, Episode 4, Lyra went to the ends of the earth to find Roger, resulting in one of the highlights of Dafne Keen's career. Lyra's friendship with Roger motivated her throughout the TV show, as he was the only person she could trust. Until she meets Will, of course. Dafne Keen's strength and fear as she entered the land of the dead was palpable.
Roger survived a lot - he was kidnapped by Mrs. Coulter's Gobblers and rescued by Lyra, only to be killed by Lord Asriel. Since Mrs. Coulter was Lyra's mother and Lord Asriel was Lyra's father, it's easy to see why she felt responsible for Roger's death. Daphne Keen was exceptional in portraying the pain of leaving Pantalaimon back when she chose to seek out Roger, and her love for Pantalaimon and Roger was entirely credible.
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Lyra sitting on the bench in the last episode
His Dark Materials, season 3, episode 8 - "The Botanical Gardens"
Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson shone Its dark materials' final episode, notably in its final scenes. Keen was most poignant in measuring the impact of losing the man she may have loved more than anyone else. Having lost himself to other universes for the safety and good of all others, Lyra and Will agreed to meet at the same bank at their respective Oxfords every year.
Wilson and Keen's final goodbye was incredibly touchingand the next shots of them alone in their own worlds were haunting. The image of lonely Dafne Keen, as Lyra, sitting on the bench and reaching out to her imaginary lover, has to be one of the most beautiful and tragic moments in TV fantasy. Keen confirmed a bright future for herself after Your dark materials in the show's devastating finale.
Source: Your Dark Materials HBO