The WORST episodes of His Dark Materials

Every episode of His Dark Materials ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of His Dark Materials!

In an alternative world where all humans have animal companions called dæmons, which are the manifestation of the human soul, a young orphan living with the tutors at Jordan College, Oxford discovers a dangerous secret that involves Lord Asriel and Marisa Coulter. In her search for her missing friend, she uncovers a slew of kidnappings and its link to the mysterious substance called Dust.

Last Updated: 11/10/2024Network: BBC OneStatus: Ended
The Enchanted Sleeper
star
7.44
1068 votes

#1 - The Enchanted Sleeper

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/18/2022

As Will searches for Lyra across worlds, Mrs. Coulter tests an unlikely new ally, while Asriel recruits for his war against the Authority.

Directors: Amit Gupta
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Break
star
7.46
982 votes

#2 - The Break

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/25/2022

As the Magisterium closes in on Mrs. Coulter, Will tries to help Lyra to safety. Asriel's base is rocked by unexpected visitors.

Directors: Amit Gupta
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lyra and Her Death
star
7.50
873 votes

#3 - Lyra and Her Death

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/8/2023

Lyra and Will travel to a dangerous place from which no one has ever returned. Mrs. Coulter tries to thwart the Magisterium's deadly plan.

Directors: Charles Martin
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
No Way Out
star
7.52
885 votes

#4 - No Way Out

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/15/2023

Will and Lyra journey into the Land of the Dead in search of Roger; Mrs. Coulter risks everything to save Lyra.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Intention Craft
star
7.53
872 votes

#5 - The Intention Craft

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/1/2023

Lyra and Will seek help to fix Will’s knife. Mrs. Coulter causes chaos at Asriel’s republic.

Directors: Charles Martin
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lyra's Jordan
star
7.57
3481 votes

#6 - Lyra's Jordan

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/3/2019

Orphan Lyra Belacqua's world is turned upside-down by her long-absent uncle's return from the north, while the glamorous Mrs Coulter visits Jordan College with a proposition.

Directors: Tom Hooper
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Theft
star
7.62
1703 votes

#7 - Theft

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/22/2020

Lyra ignores the alethiometer's advice leading to dangerous consequences.

Directors: Leanne Welham
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Idea of North
star
7.64
2808 votes

#8 - The Idea of North

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/10/2019

Lyra starts her new life in London, determined to find Roger with Mrs Coulter’s help. The Gyptians continue their search for the missing children and the elusive Gobblers.

Directors: Tom Hooper
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The City of Magpies
star
7.65
1893 votes

#9 - The City of Magpies

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/8/2020

Lyra and Will find themselves in a strange new place. The Magisterium take action as Mrs Coulter interrogates a suspected heretic witch, and Lee Scoresby embarks on a mission.

Directors: Jamie Childs
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Spies
star
7.69
2557 votes

#10 - The Spies

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/17/2019

From the clutches of the Gobblers, Lyra finds help from an unlikely source, which helps her piece together more about her past and keep safe from the Magisterium.

Directors: Dawn Shadforth
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Abyss
star
7.70
911 votes

#11 - The Abyss

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/22/2023

Lyra and Will try to escape from the Land of the dead; meanwhile, Asriel makes a startling discovery.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Cave
star
7.70
1736 votes

#12 - The Cave

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/15/2020

Lyra crosses into Will's world, and they set off to find answers about Dust. Will is shocked to discover he has grandparents, but quickly realises he can’t trust them.

Directors: Jamie Childs
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Botanic Garden
star
7.71
977 votes

#13 - The Botanic Garden

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/5/2023

Lyra and Will finally reunite with Mary and learns that there is something they need to make a sacrifice.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Lost Boy
star
7.75
2381 votes

#14 - The Lost Boy

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/1/2019

The alethiometer sends Lyra and Iorek on a new path, leading to a shocking but vital clue in her search to find her friend Roger and the other missing children.

Directors: Otto Bathurst
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Æsahættr
star
7.76
1638 votes

#15 - Æsahættr

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/20/2020

As all paths converge on Cittàgazze, Lee is determined to fulfil his quest, whatever the cost. Mrs Coulter's question is answered, and Will takes on his father's mantle.

Directors: Jamie Childs
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Fight to the Death
star
7.77
2257 votes

#16 - The Fight to the Death

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/15/2019

Separated from her friends, Lyra must use all of her methods of deception to thwart a formidable foe. Meanwhile, Mrs Coulter plots her next move.

Directors: Jamie Childs
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Armour
star
7.81
2500 votes

#17 - Armour

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/24/2019

Lyra and the Gyptians arrive in the North and seek the help of the Witches’ Consul, Texan aeronaut Lee Scoresby and an armoured bear in service to the town.

Directors: Otto Bathurst
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Scholar
star
7.83
1658 votes

#18 - The Scholar

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/6/2020

Will and Lyra set out to retrieve what's been lost. Mary takes a leap of faith.

Directors: Leanne Welham
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Malice
star
7.84
1629 votes

#19 - Malice

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/13/2020

Lyra and Will find allies who can help them in their search for Will’s father. The Magisterium learn something shocking, and Mrs Coulter meets a formidable foe.

Directors: Jamie Childs
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Clouded Mountain
star
7.85
940 votes

#20 - The Clouded Mountain

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/29/2023

Will and Lyra makes an effort to search for their demons on the battlefield amidst of the turmoil; Asriel challenges against their greatest foe yet.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Betrayal
star
7.87
2287 votes

#21 - Betrayal

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/22/2019

As the Magisterium closes in, Lyra learns more about Asriel’s rebellion. But her assistance to him comes at great personal cost.

Directors: Jamie Childs
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Daemon-Cages
star
7.91
2342 votes

#22 - The Daemon-Cages

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/8/2019

Lyra discovers the horrific truth behind the Gobbler’s activities in the North. She must use all her wits to help free those around her and avoid suffering a terrible fate.

Directors: Euros Lyn
Writer: Jack Thorne
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Tower of the Angels
star
7.92
1677 votes

#23 - Tower of the Angels

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/29/2020

Will and Lyra make a plan, unaware of the dangers or the cost involved.

Directors: Leanne Welham
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV