We’ve all been there: you’re watching a show and someone’s face or voice feels so familiar, but you just can’t figure out where you know them from. With a cast packed with veteran actors, it’s not unlikely that you’ve experienced that feeling while watchingHis Dark Materials. There are plenty of characters in this HBO show who are played by actors who have been in a little bit of everything, making it extra hard to put your finger on where exactly you might have seen them before. To make matters worse, there are even actors playing animated dæmons — animals who represent each person’s soul in a physical form — so you can’t match a face to a name.
This list covers main characters and also smaller roles, so whoever it is that you are looking for, we’ve got you covered. From the younger characters whose actors are less established, like Lyra Silvertongue herself, to the adults in the series, including Lee Scoresby, all of these actors have other credits under their belts. So, skip the detective work because this list has done all the digging for you, and read on to find out where you’ve seen theHis Dark Materialscast before.
Dafne Keen — Lyra Silvertongue / Belacqua
Dafne Keen’s most recognizable role outside theHis Dark Materialsseries is Laura inLogan. In this movie, an elderly Wolverine, or Logan, is resigned to a quiet and reclusive life. This changes when he comes across a young mutant child, Laura, who needs his help to get her to safety. Coincidentally, Keen’s other previous roles are both characters called Ana. One of these is in a movie calledAna,and the other is from a tv series calledThe Refugees.
Related:His Dark Materials: What We Hope to See in the Final Season
Amir Wilson — Will Parry
Coming to the show in season two,Amir WilsontoldVarietythat he got the stamp of approval from the writer of the books Philip Pullman. He has been acting since 2018, stacking up a few roles that you may recognize him from. He starred in Netflix’sLetter for the Kingseries, as main character Tiuri. He plays a teenage squire who is sent on a mission to deliver a letter to the King. Wilson also had smaller roles inThe Secret Garden, as Dickon, and inThe Magic Flute, as Anton Milanesi.
Ruth Wilson — Mrs. Coulter
With a busy career, there are plenty of movies and TV shows that you might recognizeRuth Wilsonfrom. One of the roles she is most known for is Alice Morgan in the crime drama,Luther,which starred Idris Elba in the titular role. She was also Margaret Goff inSaving Mr. Banks, which chronicles the development of the 1964Mary Poppinsmovie. Another recognizable role was Jane Eyre in the BBC miniseries adaptation. Other roles that you might recognize her from areLocke, as Katrina,Anna Karenina, as Princess Betsy Tverskoy,How to Talk to Girls at Parties, as PT Stella, andSee How They Run, as Petula Spencer.
Kit Connor — Pantalaimon
As a result of the fact that Pantalaimon is an animated creature, it could be even harder to identify whyKit Connor’s voice might seem familiar. Some of the roles you may recognize him from include an adaptation ofWar & Peacewhere he played Petya Rostov andThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Societymovie where he was Eli Ramsey. However, his recent breakout role as Nick Nelson in Netflix’sHeartstopperis most likely where you’ve heard his voice before.Speaking to Radio Times, Connor hopes new fans of his fromHeartstopperwill also tune intoHis Dark Materials.
Related:Why His Dark Materials Will Be Missed After Its Final Season
Lin-Manuel Miranda — Lee Scoresby
In a smaller role, only appearing in the first season, we haveLin-Manuel Mirandaas Lee Scoresby. He is mostly known in recent years as a writer, producer, and star of his own musicals. The most well-known beingHamilton, where he played founding father Alexander Hamilton. Miranda more recently released his musicalIn the Heights,which he starred in too. Aside from his own productions, Miranda also had a notable role inMary Poppins Returnsas Jack, a lamplighter and former apprentice of Dick Van Dyke’s character in the first movie.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje — Commander Ogunwe
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbajehas had roles in many big fantasy and adventure movies and shows. You may recognize him from his role in a couple of episodes of season five ofGame of Thrones, in which he played Malko. Another major show he took part in wasLost,in the role of Mr Eko. Films that Akinnuoye-Agbaje has starred in includeThe Mummy Returns, as Lock-Nah,The Bourne Identity, as Wombosi,Thor: The Dark World, as Algrim/Kurse, andPompeii,as Atticus.
Sian Clifford — Agent Salmakia
Sian Clifford’s most recognizable role is undoubtedly Claire inFleabag. Her iconic performance as the titular character’s sister is incredibly memorable. Along with Ruth Wilson, she was also in the murder-mystery movieSee How They Run, playing Edana Romney. Clifford also played Martha Crawley a TV miniseries adaptation of the novelVanity Fair. Some other projects that she has been in includeLife After Life,where she played Sylvie,Good Grief, as Cat, andQuiz, as Diana Ingram.
Ruta Gedmintas—Serafina Pekkala
Ruta Gedmintasplays the role of Serafina Pekkala the witch inHis Dark Materials. She has also starred in a couple of Showtime period dramas. You may recognize her from her role as Ursula Bonadeo inThe Borgias, which follows Pope Alexander VI as he tries to retain power over Italy. Gedmintas also performed the role of Elizabeth Blount inThe Tudors, which portrayed the infamous reign of King Henry VIII. Another TV show you may recognize her from isLip Service, in which she played Frankie Alan. She was also in the movieA Street Cat Named Bob,as Betty.
