'His Dark Materials' begins production on final season

June 22 (UPI) -- Production is underway on His Dark Materials Season 3.

The HBO and BBC One series has started filming its third and final season in the United Kingdom, HBO announced in a press release Tuesday.

His Dark Materials is based on the Philip Pullman fantasy book series. Season 3 is based on The Amber Spyglass, the third book in Pullman's trilogy.

Production will take place at Wolf Studios Wales and other locations in Wales and England.

Season 3 will follow Will (Amir Wilson), the bearer of The Subtle Knife, and Lyra (Dafne Keen), the prophesied child, as they travel through multiple worlds to find and protect each other.

Other returning cast members include Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter, Simone Kirby as Mary Malone, Will Keen as Father President McPhail, Jade Anouka as Ruta Skadi, Ruta Gedminstas as Serafina Pekkala and James McAvoy as Lord Asriel.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje will join the cast as Commander Ogunwe, Jamie Ward as Father Gomez, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Balthamos, Simon Harrison as Baruch, Chipo Chung as Xaphania and Amber Fitzgerald-Woolfe as Ama.

"It has been a joy watching audiences embrace this incredible journey of self-discovery, friendship and purpose with Lyra over the past two seasons," HBO programming EVP Francesca Orsi said. "Jane, Dan and everyone on the Bad Wolf team have done such a tremendous job bringing Philip's beloved world to life, and I cannot wait for the fans to get a front row seat to all that is in store in this gripping and poignant final chapter."

HBO and BBC One renewed His Dark Materials for a third and final season in December.