Summary
Game of Thronesswept across the world like wildfire and became one of the most popular shows on the planet. As an adaptation ofA Song of Ice and Fireby George R.R. Martin,Game of Thronesscratched the itch of fantasy fans everywhere. The eight-season-long epic took viewers into the world of dragons, knights, and betrayal, displaying some of the most brilliant character work on screen and stories that left fans on the edge of their seats every episode.
It has been some time sinceGame of Throneshas been controversial, and there has been an attempt to fill the massive void it left behind. Numerous fantasy shows have been released. However, fantasy is one of the most challenging genres to do in live action. Many modern fantasy shows (shows released in the last three to four years) have tried to capture lightning in a bottle, but barely half have stood the test of time and had an impact similar toGame of Thrones. Here are some of the best modern fantasy shows to watch if you missGame of Thrones.
Vikings: Valhallais the spin-off story from theoriginalVikingsseries. This show is set one hundred years after the previous series and follows a new cast of characters. The series explores the relationships between the slowly declining Vikings and England.
In-fighting among clans grows more rampant as Christianity and Paganism fight for dominance. The series stars Sam Corlet, who plays Leif, one of the main focuses of the series, who experiences the religious turmoil of the show.Viking: Valhallais a great series to watch for fans of the originalVikingsseries and fans ofGame of Thrones’characters and action.
Foundationis a new sci-fi fantasy airing onApple TV. The series takes place thousands of years in the future, where a galactic empire rules most of the universe, but does so benevolently, and peace has been assured. However, things soon turn dire when a prominent scientist makes a calculation that predicts the end of the Empire, which will plunge the universe into an era of chaos for hundreds of years, costing millions of lives. Lou Llobel plays Gaal Dormick, a brilliant young girl who is taken out of her depth to solve the problem and stop the fall of an empire in just under a few years. WhileFoundationmay take place in a more futuristic setting, the themes match Game of Thrones quite well in terms of Kingdoms, betrayal, and character relationships.
Dunehas stepped back into the spotlight with its film franchise receiving record-breaking acclaim, led by Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides. The success of the franchise has birthed a series onHBO MaxcalledDune: Prophecy. Ten thousand years before the birth of Paul Atreides, the Bene Gesserit struggle to maintain their influence as dark forces combat their control and darkness slowly creeps into the world. Two sisters, Valya and Tula, played by Olivia Williams and Emily Watson, seek to protect humanity from the darkness called the Reckoning and sustain the Bene Gesserit’s reign.
Based on the fantasy novel series by Robert Jordan. Amazon Studios brings to life a fantastical tale about power, corruption, and destiny. Rosamund Pike plays Moiraine Damodred, a magic user called an Ajah inThe Wheel of Timewho seeks out the prophesied Dragon Reborn, a powerful entity that will be vital to combating a sinister being known as the Dark One.
Moiraine’s quest leads her into the lives of several young men and women who are dragged into a plot when the fate of the entire world is at stake.The Wheel of Timedives headfirst into grand fantasy and has incredibly memorable characters, both protagonists and antagonists.
The Lord of the Ringsis one of the most famous and beloved fantasy tales across multiple generations. The highly acclaimed movie franchise elevated the popularity of the story on an international level and birthed a new live-action series byAmazon Studios,calledRings of Power.
Set hundreds of years beforethe Fellowship of the RingandThe Hobbitstories,The Rings of Powerfollows the origins of some of the most powerful individuals in the Tolkienverse.Rings of Powertakes to explore the history of Middle Earth and its legends.
Those who want moreGame of Thronesspecifically are in luck as the original series receives a prequel story in the form ofHouse of the Dragon. Set during the reign of the Targaryen family,House of the Dragonfollows the rising and falling of the house, starting with Rhaenyra Targaryen and her rise to ruler of Kings Landing.
This occurs as in-fighting among her family erupts in an attempt to challenge her claim to the throne.House of the Dragonis a dramatic thrill ride with the original feel ofGame of Thronesthat fans are hungry for.
