Filming will take place in some of Oxford's most iconic locations next month, and is possibly the start of the eagerly-anticipated new TV series of His Dark Materials.

Cardiff-based production company Bad Wolf announced earlier this year it was adapting the author’s three novels for an eight-part series for the BBC.

And now the company has announced plans to film in the city centre early next month.

However, it has not yet confirmed if the July dates are for the Philip Pullman’s trilogy.

The series is expected to air in 2019 and Logan star Dafne Keen has been cast as Lyra Belacqua.

James McAvoy has been cast in the role of polar explorer Lord Asriel

It is 11 years since The Golden Compass, the movie version of Northern Lights, the first instalment of His Dark Materials, was shown in cinemas.

The film, starring Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel and Nicole Kidman as Marisa Coulter, did not completely win over the critics and it is hoped the TV adaptation will be better received by fans and critics alike.

Bad Wolf bosses have notified the county council that they will be filming in New College Lane from July 2 to July 4.

They will also be filming scenes in Queens Lane from July 2 to July 4 and in Merton Street on July 4.

Traffic will be prevented from using the routes while filming takes place.

The county council notice says: “Other roads will have filming activities but not involving road closures.”

Oxford streets are often used as film sets for period and fantasy dramas.

Last year scenes for the Mamma Mia! sequel were shot in Holywell Street and Bad Wolf is also producing a screen version of Deborah Harkness’s novel A Discovery of Witches.

Top actor Matthew Goode, who also starred in Netflix series The Crown, appeared in scenes shot in Oxford including those on Folly Bridge.