Mrs Coulter facing down the Spectres drives peak fan adoration in His Dark Materials

Some would say she's hidden her humanity right throughout the two seasons of the HBO and BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman's fantasy novel series but, still, her scene in Cittagazze drew new levels of adoration from viewers.

A fan suggested a reason why she could control them: "I’m glad tonight’s episode of His Dark Materials alluded to something that wasn’t explicit in the books but that I suspected when I first read them as a teen: that Mrs Coulter can control spectres because she herself basically is one".

When Marisa enticed Lord Boreal with a kiss then poisoned him, the depths of her truly evil nature were revealed for all to see.

She said as he slowly died: “Boreal, I don’t need you. You would only hold me back. You are not, nor have you ever been, my equal."

A fan responded: "Marisa Coulter is a horrendously fantastic character. The conflicts in her psyche are dealt with and expanded on beautifully in this series!"

Another viewer tweeted: "If that's the way Mrs Coulter treats her "old friends", heaven help her enemies #HisDarkMaterials".

Another wrote: "Mrs . Coulter having a candle light dinner , downing a bottle of wine casually while Borael is dead beside her ... and we wonder why Lyra is the way she is". [sic]

Meanwhile, Lyra's destiny became manifest in His Dark Materials as a member of the Magisterium discovered her true name.

Cardinal Sturrock immediately declared that the "Magisterium has a new direction" to fight a "threat so grave the world has only seen it once before".

The witch Serafina told Will that there is "a prophecy surrounding Lyra", a prophecy that requires a boy to support and protect her.

The promise of an almighty confrontation between the Witches, Will and Lyra, Mrs Coulter and the Magisterium in next weekend's finale promises to be an unmissable highlight of the festive TV calendar.

His Dark Materials concludes on BBC One on Sunday 20th December.

While you’re waiting visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight, or check out our guide to new TV shows 2020 to find out what's airing this autumn and beyond.