The great war begins in thrilling His Dark Materials season 2 trailer

"The skies are darkening. The world's changing. We need to unite for the great war."

The stakes couldn't feel higher as everyone from parallel realities prepares for battle in the new trailers for His Dark Materials season 2, based on the events of author Philip Pullman's second novel in his book trilogy, The Subtle Knife. Both the BBC and HBO released teasers different footage of what's coming when the show returns this November.

It's a whole new world for young Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), both figuratively and literally. She stepped through a portal into another reality in chasing after her betrayer father, Lord Asriel (James McAvoy), at the end of season 1. Now, she finds herself in Cittàgazze, a city she once glimpsed glimmering in the night sky through the borealis. It's here she crosses paths with Will Parry (Amir Wilson), a boy from yet another reality who takes a prominent role in the story moving forward.

See those menacing black mist lurking about in the trailers? Those are creatures that dwell in Cittàgazze and tend to attack adults while leaving children alone.

Many new faces appear this season as the Magisterium is preparing for a bigger, more aggressive move against those who would spread blasphemy.

Oscar nominee Terence Stamp is seen as Giacomo Paradisi, the bearer of the Subtle Knife, a magical object with the ability to open portals to different realities. Jade Anouka (Turn Up Charlie) plays the witch queen Ruta Skadi, who makes such dramatic proclamations about "the great war" in the footage. Simone Kirby (Peaky Blinders) will also play Dr. Mary Malone, a scientist from Will's world who Lyra seeks out to find out more about Dust.

And don't forget Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge will also voice the daemon of John Parry, played by Andrew Scott. Lin-Manuel Miranda's Lee Scoresby has many scenes with John this season.

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Related content:

• Fleabag reunion! Phoebe Waller-Bridge to voice Andrew Scott's His Dark Materials daemon
• His Dark Materials lifts the veil on season 2 with first-look trailer
• How the His Dark Materials finale sets up the war of the worlds in season 2