"His Dark Materials"

This new(ish) BBC version (airing on HBO Max) is about a million times better than "The Golden Compass" film from 2007.  It's deeply respectful of the book's themes (although updated to include, among other things, climate change) and filled to the brim with talented actors.  Unlike the film, which was full of "stars", this one has a cast which plays to the subtle aspects of the characters (pun intended ... if you know the books ...).  Watch the thousands of microexpressions skimming across the face of Ruth Wilson, who plays Mrs. Coulter.  The character has layers in the books.  In this production she's a crystal with more sides than you can count.  Young Dafne Keen plays the lead role and brings an energy, passion and freshness to the role.  All of the characters have layers and depth.  You connect with them, which makes it even harder when they ... well ...  

It's not a happy tale.  It never was.  From sleepy beginnings the trajectory, and the body count, ramps up very quickly.  The point is made over and over again.  War is coming.  The great war.  The war to end all wars.  There will be losses along the way.  The story may feature a young woman and man coming into their own but it's not a kid's fantasy.  It is, true to the name, a dark, troubling, difficult path.  

Love the books.  In my top 10 of all time.  Although not an easy read, by any measure, it is a thoughtful work.  One which wraps religion, politics, philosophy and more into the complex narrative.  The mini-series adds to the written work rather than diminishing it.  This is a case where the visual version builds on a strong foundation of the books and makes the story richer.  I started in and finished the first two seasons in under a week -- my heart pounding at times.  Can't wait for season three.  Although -- well, the mountain of loss will grow ...