Two important figures in Lyra’s life have been cast in the HIS DARK MATERIALS miniseries!

BBC One’s upcoming take on Philip Pullman‘s His Dark Materials just cast two more major players in the epic fantasy tale!

James McAvoy (X-Men, Split) has signed on to play Lord Asriel, world traveler and ultra-intense guardian of Lyra Belacqua– or so, at least Lyra thinks. The truth of Asriel’s expeditions, his relationship with Lyra, and his designs for their parallel universe are much more than they seem. With a stern and ruthless nature, Asriel is often considered Pullman’s answer to Satan, so there will certainly be a considerable role for McAvoy to sink into.

The eight-episode miniseries has also found its Master of Jordan College, the academic stronghold at which Lyra was raised, in Clarke Peters (The Wire). Despite providing a home for Lyra, the master doesn’t harbor much love for Lord Asriel.

Deadline, who first announced this news, also previously shared the news that Tom Hooper will direct the series with Dafne Keen (Logan) starring as Lyra Belacqua and Lin-Manuel Miranda on board as balloonist and ally Lee Scoresby.

The miniseries does not have a release date just yet.