The strings aren’t cut just yet: How New Netflix Series revives puppetry

By Sam Merricks
The new Netflix Series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance showcases how puppets aren’t just for children in this dark fantasy/adventure series, a prequel to Jim Henson’s 1982 film ‘The Dark Crystal’ after 37 years since the cult classic film. This series proves that the art of puppetry is not forgotten.
This Netflix series sees our three main Gelfling protagonists, Rian, voiced by Taron Egerton of Kingsman fame, Deet, voiced by Nathalie Emmanuel of Game of Thrones fame and Brea, voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy, who has recently played Gina Gray in the latest series of Peaky Blinders, discovering the horrific secret behind their overlords the Skeksis.
What’s the same and different about the film and series?
Set on the planet of Thra, native home to the Gelflings and Poddlings, the Netflix series gives a more in-depth insight of the world and the lore before the Jim Henson film, which has the ultimate end of the antagonists the Skeksis. As we know the ending of the film, it is a bittersweet moment when we root for the protagonists in the Netflix series yet know they are not the characters to overthrow the Skeksis in the film.

In terms of characters, we get to see Aughra again in the prequel series, who is the embodiment of Thra, as she awakes from her astral projection by the spread of the Darkening, a sickness caused by the Crystal. Aughra sees the abuse the Crystal has endured by the hands of the Skeksis, who are draining Gelfling for ’essence’ which they use to keep their power.
The Star Studded Cast
The Netflix series has an outstanding cast for its voice actors as in addition to our three main protagonists, we have as the Scientist skekTek, Mark Hamill, who has an expertise in voice acting from the Joker in the Batman Animated Series and Arkham Games. Hamill is also the voice for the rebooted version of Chucky. We also have Simon Pegg, famed for his ‘Cornetto trilogy’ of films, playing the Chamberlain skekSil. These two Skeksis’ arguably steal the show with their individual characters.
Nonetheless, these Skeksis are led by their fearsome Emperor, voiced by Jason Isaacs, the iconic actor best known for portraying Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise.

Moreover, making reoccurring roles in the Netflix series, we have Helena Bonham Carter as the All-Maudra, the leader of all the Gelfling clans as well as more Game of Thrones stars through Lena Headey, best known for playing the infamously wicked Cersei Lannister, voicing Maudra Fara, the leader of the Stonewood Clan.
Will there be another series?
Without spoiling the Netflix series for anyone, after the end credits of the series finale, we have lots of questions still unanswered that I’m sure we will have answered next year when we hope that Netflix announces the second series of the show as we wait in anticipation over what will happen next for our protagonists in Thra.
Whilst we wait, here’s a look at the first trailer for the first series: