Fans loved the first episode of 'His Dark Materials' last night

"Nailed it, knocked it out of the park"

The first episode of 'His Dark Materials' aired last night and the show is already gathering fans new and old.

Based on Philip Pullman’s best-selling trilogy, BBC's latest literary adaptation is delighting readers who loved the books.

The fantasy series is set in an alternate world where humans have animal companions named daemons. In last night's episode, orphan Lyra Belacqua's long-absent uncle returns from the North.

The show stars Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, Clarke Peters and Anne-Marie Duff.

Pullman's novels were previously adapted for the big screen in the 2007 Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman starrer 'The Golden Compass'. The movie failed to impress fans or critics. But the TV show is winning over both.

Is that Lyra with Will? #HisDarkMaterials Great opening episode 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5SRjmot1lk

— Eborys (@eborys_innit) November 3, 2019

Well the first episode of #HisDarkMaterials was absolutely first rate. Nailed it, knocked it out of the park, select your own cliche. It was, in short, good. Very, very good.

— Niall Kelly 🇮🇲🇪🇺🚲🚢 (@ferrymaniom) November 3, 2019

Well #HisDarkMaterials was epic - already soooooo much better than the film version. Characters so much more like how I imagine them to be from the books

— Sam Robinson (@friday_sam) November 3, 2019

Never read #HisDarkMaterials (I know, I know...) but speaking from an outsider’s perspective, tonight’s series opener is a great fantasy piece, suitable for younger viewers and us big kids. I wish there was more TV drama like it. pic.twitter.com/zCTB5NFlIJ

— Morgan Jeffery (@morganjeffery) November 3, 2019

Of course there were a few fan jokes in there too.

BBC1's audience right now #HisDarkMaterials pic.twitter.com/P99TfsmNWm

— Elliot Wengler (@Wengle) November 3, 2019

The most unbelievable part of #HisDarkMaterials is how easy James McAvoy got a research grant

— Tony Robertson (@tonyrobertson82) November 3, 2019

I hope people don't use #HisDarkMaterials as a shameless excuse to post gratuitous pictures of adorable fluffy ermines everywhere, because that would be terrible. TERRIBLE, I say. pic.twitter.com/KMGx2zU5GL

— RedScharlach (@redfacts) November 3, 2019

And lots of lusting for James McAvoy.

I'm just gonna say it. James McAvoy is he dreamiest of dreamy men. Any other opinion is INVALID. #HisDarkMaterials pic.twitter.com/CjuZDBuCal

— Matt (@itsmatthewnull) November 3, 2019