Actress Ruth Wilson, best known for her role as the villainous Mrs Coulter in the BBC adaptation of His Dark Materials, is to be the new voice of the audiobook versions of the classic Phillip Pullman novels.

The new audio editions are due to launch on September 5th with the first novel, Northern Lights. The new edition of The Amber Spyglass will also feature a conversation between Philip Pullman and Ruth Wilson, recorded at the Bodleian Library in 2021. The original recordings of the novels, narrated by Philip Pullman and featuring a full cast, will continue to be available alongside the new editions.

Ruth Wilson said: “I fell in love with Philip’s world of His Dark Materials when I first read the books: they’re so complex in their themes and playing Mrs. Coulter on screen allowed me to explore themes deeper than just her villainy: narcissism, freedom, motherhood, imagination. Having the opportunity to narrate this series of audiobooks and delve further into Philip’s profoundly intricate world was an honour and a pleasure.”

Head of Audio Production at Penguin Audio and award-winning audiobook producer Chris Thompson said: “It’s been a wonderful experience to produce the audiobook editions of such globally beloved novels and to work with Ruth and Philip, who are masters of their craft. Ruth’s dedication to understanding each character, each line of dialogue, and every shift in her vocal performance is a testament to her passion for the series and her work. These audiobooks will be a truly memorable way for listeners to rediscover the series or step into Philip’s world for the first time.”

Find out more here.