Ma Costa
A nurturing force within the Gyptian fleet who once cared for Lyra before joining the resistance against the kidnappings.
Maggie 'Ma' Costa is a pivotal figure within the Gyptian community in the first series of His Dark Materials. Portrayed by Anne-Marie Duff, she is a dedicated member of the Gyptian fleet who previously nursed Lyra Belacqua during her time at Jordan College. Her character embodies the protective, communal spirit of the Gyptians as they navigate the dangers posed by the Magisterium and the mysterious 'Gobblers' kidnapping children.
- Role
- Gyptian Woman who previously nursed Lyra
- Affiliation
- The Gyptians
- Status
- Alive (Series 1)
- First Appearance
- His Dark Materials Series 1 (2019)
- Location
- The Gyptian Barges / Oxford area
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ma Costa's history is inextricably linked to Lyra Belacqua; she previously nursed the orphan while Lyra lived among the scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. This past connection establishes her as a maternal figure within Lyra's life before the main events of the series unfold. As a Gyptian woman, she operates within the unique social structure of the river barges, which function as a mobile family unit distinct from the rigid governance of the Magisterium or the academic isolation of Oxford. Her presence on the barge signifies the deep bonds of care that hold the Gyptian community together in their fight for freedom and safety against those who seek to steal children.
In Their Own Story
The narrative explicitly notes Ma Costa's prior role as Lyra's nurse, a detail that grounds her involvement in the central plot. When Lyra begins her search for her missing friend, Roger Parslow, she uncovers a series of kidnappings linked to the Magisterium. Ma Costa is part of the Gyptian resistance led by Lord John Faa, who coordinates efforts to stop these abductions.
Reader's Guide
Ma Costa appears exclusively in Series 1 (2019), which premiered on 3 November in the UK and 4 November in the US. She is listed as a main cast member, indicating a recurring presence throughout the eight-episode first season. Her role is defined by her relationship to Lyra and her integration into the Gyptian fleet's efforts to counter the kidnappings. For viewers tracking character appearances, she is absent from Series 2 (which premiered in November 2020) and Series 3 (premiered December 2022), with no mention of guest returns or voice work for her in later seasons.
Did You Know?
- Ma Costa is played by actress Anne-Marie Duff.
- She previously nursed Lyra Belacqua while the girl was living at Jordan College, Oxford.
- Her character appears only in the first series of eight episodes which aired in 2019.
- She is part of the Gyptian community that opposes the Magisterium's kidnapping plot involving Dust.
- Unlike some other characters, she does not appear as a guest or voice actor in Series 2 or 3.
More in Characters & Daemons
Related in His Dark Materials
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Elsewhere in the His Dark Materials universe
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