With just four episodes currently released, the new Amazon seriesThe Wheel of Timeis already looking like the best new fantasy hit of 2021. Based on a successful book series by Robert Jordan, the series takes the audience into a brand new world. It stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, a powerful woman who finds five people and goes on a journey with them.
RELATED:Hailee Steinfeld Movies To Watch If You Love The MCU Series HawkeyeMoiraine believes that one of her five companions is the person who has the power to save the world. Those who are enjoying the series so far and would love to see more shows based on book series or ones that belong to epic fantasy, fortunately, have multiple options to choose from.
7Carnival Row
Based in a society reminiscent of the 19th century,Carnival Rowpresents a world in which creatures different from humans are ostracized or at least avoided. An inspector, Rycroft Philostrate, starts investigating a murder and discovers that it’s far more complicated than it originally seemed.
Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne star in the show and their complex romance makes but one aspect of the compelling story.Carnival Rowalso creates an intricate society that’s not easy to live in for the heroes, but colorful and fascinating to discover for the audience. The series isavailable to stream on Amazonjust likeThe Wheel of Time.
6A Discovery Of Witches
Available on HBO,A Discovery of Witchesalso works with the concept of magic, albeit one different fromThe Wheel of Time. Teresa Palmer stars as Diana Bishop, a powerful witch who, nevertheless, avoids using her powers. But when she comes across a mysterious book in the library and meets a vampire named Matthew (Matthew Goode), magic and trouble find her anyway.
The series currently has two seasons and is based on a successful book series by Deborah Harkness. What makes it worth watching aren’t only its well-played, intriguing characters but also the combination of the well-known (the series takes place in Oxford) and the otherworldly (use of supernatural creatures, such as witches, vampires, and others).
5Emerald City
Inspired by the iconicThe Wizard of Oz,Emerald Cityshows what happens when an adult woman gets into the land of Oz that’s very different from how the readers know it.Emerald Cityis a bit of a hidden gem that was canceled after just one season.
RELATED:Series To Watch If You Loved FoundationIt won’t fit everyone’s taste but it has a strange poetic atmosphere, a beauty combined with violence and danger. The actors (such as Joely Richardson and Vincent D’Onofrio) are solid and the world in which the story takes place is once again a joy to discover. Plus, it only has ten episodes, so it’s possible to finish watching it fast.
4Game Of Thrones
The book-inspiredGame of Thronesmost likely needs very little introduction as it’s one of the most successful TV series of all time. With eight seasons under its belt, it takes the audience into the land of Westeros where multiple noble houses are fighting for the Iron throne……and survival.
George R.R. Martin, author ofA Song of Ice and Fire, doesn’t spare his heroes, and neither does the show. While not everybody was happy with how the finale turned out,Game of Thronesstill offers many hours of a fascinating story that lets everyone forget about the world around them and wish that their favorite heroes survive (spoiler alert - they often don’t). The series is available to stream on HBO anda spin-off series is already in the making.
3The Nevers
While this show toys with the idea of superpowers, it presents them in a new, refreshing light - often more as a curse than a blessing. Available on HBO,The Neverscreates a world in which women often have special powers and face danger from multiple sides.
RELATED:Fantasy Shows To Stream If You Love Locke & KeyThe series has a historical feel to it because it takes place in the 19th century and works with elaborate costumes, just likeThe Wheel of Time. Its overall impact is different but what the two shows have in common is the rich imagination with which they create its world and the characters who live in it.
2Shadow And Bone
UnlikeThe Wheel of Time, the Netflix seriesShadow and Boneis a young-adult fantasy. However, it also works with the idea of magic and one special person who can save everyone……or destroy them.
The first season introduces the complex world, the system of magic as well as the heroes who move smoothly between heroes and villains. Nothing is obvious inShadow and Bone.The Wheel of Timealso works with this type of moral ambiguity regarding its characters, keeping the audience interested and often surprising them.
1The Witcher
Just likeThe Wheel of Time, the Netflix seriesThe Witcherisbased on a popular fantasy book series. Written by Andrzej Sapkowski,The Witchertells the intricate story of three main characters - the princess Ciri, the witcher Geralt, and the sorceress Yennefer. The first season mostly shows the characters finding their way to each other and building their lives in a world where nothing is certain, least of all survival.
It’s similarly complex asThe Wheel of Timeand the audience doesn’t know what they can expect next and what awaits the characters.The second season ofThe Witcheris due to premiere in Decemberand as such, it’s one of the most heavily anticipated shows on Netflix at the moment.
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