A Celebration of His Dark Materials at the V&A Museum

On the 5th of March we had the pleasure of hosting a truly special evening at the V&A Museum in partnership with Welsh Government, celebrating His Dark Materials and marking a milestone in our journey—our 10th anniversary. It was only fitting that this event took place with the invaluable support of Welsh Government via Creative Wales, who have championed the creative industries in Wales and are celebrating their 5-year anniversary this year!

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces, from cast and crew to friends and collaborators who have been part of the adventure over the years. It was also an excellent opportunity to thank the staff at the V&A for their care and attention and commitment to including His Dark Materials in the National Collection.

As we looked back on His Dark Materials, a show that has been a defining project for us, the evening served as a testament to the creativity, passion, and dedication that have fuelled our work.

Over the course of three incredible seasons, a total of £231 million was invested in production, supporting a crew of 1,030 people across all three seasons. Beyond the numbers, the impact of this series extends far beyond the screen, opening doors for emerging talent and nurturing the next generation of industry professionals.

The success of His Dark Materials has provided incredible career progression opportunities for our Screen Alliance Wales trainees, including but not limited to:

  • Hattie Williams (HDM1 – VFX Trainee) who went on to work on Doctor Who as a Data Wrangler.
  • Alex Moore (HDM1 – Location Trainee) who progressed to become a Location Manager on Doctor Who.
  • Katja Allen (HDM2 – Art Department Trainee) who became a Junior Draughtsperson on Doctor Who.
  • Taymar Lee (HDM2 – Props Trainee) who advanced to Assistant Set Decorator on The War Between.
  • Anson Day Williams (HDM3 – Sound Trainee) who took on the role of 2nd Assistant Sound on Dope Girls.
  • Amelia Beer (HDM3 – Health & Safety Trainee) who became a Production Secretary on The War Between.

Screen Alliance Wales also provided outreach to over 19,000 people throughout production of His Dark Materials, including studio visits, shadowing and trainee schemes.

As part of the centenary celebrations of the V&A’s Theatre and Performance Collection, props, costumes, and a specially made film about the making of His Dark Materials have been acquired to be shown in the permanent Theatre and Performance Galleries at the iconic V&A South Kensington Museum. These unique items now form part of the museum’s internationally renowned National Collection of Performing Arts, offering visitors an insight into the creative process behind the BAFTA and RTS-winning HBO/BBC series. The exhibition represents a small part of the incredible work of the entire creative team who worked at Wolf Studios Wales in Cardiff.

“It has been a privilege to bring the artistry of His Dark Materials into the V&A’s collection.” said Emily Harris, Film Curator. “The series represents an extraordinary collaboration of design, craftsmanship and storytelling. Thanks to the generous donation from Bad Wolf and their openness in sharing the behind-the-scenes journey, this collection offers a fascinating insight into the creative vision behind the show, preserving its legacy for future generations to explore at the V&A.”

Bringing Philip Pullman’s beloved trilogy to life alongside the BBC and HBO was a dream come true. The show, filmed in Wales, showcased not only the incredible talent of our cast and crew but also the outstanding production capabilities the country has to offer.

Jane Tranter, CEO of Bad Wolf, said:

“That there are so many people who will come out and support the show tonight is an enormous tribute to the community that we built together to make His Dark Materials. I feel that His Dark Materials was, for some time, the beat of so many of our hearts, and that it is extraordinarily fitting to be celebrating ten years of Bad Wolf here. There are two things that have built Bad Wolf. The first is Welsh Government and Creative Wales, who were the fire starter throughout the whole of our journey. They have shown us belief, trust and support, and have done that consistently for over ten years. The other is His Dark Materials, the beating heart of which is in all our shows. The V&A exhibition is a wonderful legacy to the show.”

Author Philip Pullman, who sadly could not attend the event, said:

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there, because I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful work on His Dark Materials. I hoped it would be good, but I had no idea how good it would turn out to be. Of course, the faces and voices are vital, and what a great cast it was, but every aspect of the series now seems to me impossible to improve. I can’t express my pleasure and gratitude enough. Ten thousand thanks and a hundred thousand blessings to you all.”

As we celebrate ten years of Bad Wolf, we are immensely grateful for the partnerships and friendships we’ve built along the way. From His Dark Materials to the many exciting projects ahead, we remain committed to telling bold, ambitious stories that captivate audiences around the world.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night. Here’s to the next decade of storytelling!