Fantasycan take on many forms, andthe innovative TV shows that have populated screens throughout the 2020s are proof that the speculative fiction genre is alive and well.Additionally, the diversity of these series demonstrates how expansive fantasy is and that there are a variety of niches it can occupy. This means that there’s likely a fantasy TV show out there that will satisfy any viewer and take their imagination to someplace magical. One of the reasons fantasy is so strong today is because of the availability of better technology that brings the mystical elements to life.
Some of thebest period romance TV shows of the 2020shave overlapped with the fantasy genre, andcombining aspects of multiple story types is common practice for fantasy.While the outlandish realms and intricate world-building are often what initially draw audiences to these series, it’s the characters that make viewers want to keep watching. The dynamics between individuals and their experiences within the world allow audiences to see themselves within a fantasy narrative, even if the plot is filled with otherworldly elements. As the 2020s progress, there will likely be even more fantastical shows worth remembering.
My Lady Jane
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My Lady Jane is a Prime Video original series created by Gemma Burgess. The story is a “what if” style story of English royal history where King Henry VIII’s son Edward, Lady Jane Grey, and her husband Guildford all survive their real-life deaths. In the retelling of history, Jane Grey takes center stage, becoming queen and immediately finding herself facing nefarious villains.
The cancelation ofMy Lady Janeafter season 1 was a tragic turn of fate for the short-lived fantasy romance series that quickly captured the hearts of viewers and critics. Starring Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel as Lady Jane and her love interest Guildford, the series is based on the novel of the same name and successfully blends fantasy, romance, and revisionist history with memorable results. Though it’s set in the distant past,My Lady Janehas a modern twist that helps it connect with contemporary viewers.
The single season tells a complete narrative and answers most of the necessary questions, including the fate of Jane and Guildford.
While there areMy Lady Janestorylines that will never be addressed because of the cancelation, the show is still satisfying enough to watch on its own. The single season tells a complete narrative and answers most of the necessary questions, including the fate of Jane and Guildford. If the critical and audience response toMy Lady Janeis any indication,the future of romance on TV should include more aspects of speculative fiction to draw viewers in.
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10 Great Fantasy TV Shows That Deserved More Seasons
It’s common for a TV show to end before its time, but when it comes to fantasy series, some desperately need more seasons to complete their arcs.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows the journey of Percy Jackson as he embarks on a perilous quest to return Zeus’s master bolt. Joined by friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy confronts mythical challenges, seeking to avert a divine war and discover his place in the world.
After the disastrous performance of thePercy Jacksonfilms, it seemed unlikely that Rick Riordan’s classic middle-grade book series would get an adaptation that did the story justice. However, everything changed when Disney+‘sPercy Jacksonseries premiered and restored hope for the franchise. Percy’s world of myths and legends is just as engaging as in the novels. However,the show also incorporates more diversity in the casting and positive themes in the narrative,makingPercy Jackson and the Olympianseven better.
The wait for the highly anticipated second season has audiences excited for the new characters and storylines fromThe Sea of MonstersthatPercy Jacksonwill include. Additionally, it’s fun to contemplate thatthe show will continue for many seasons and that every novel in the series will be brought to life.As long asPercy Jackson and the Olympianscontinues the trend of translating Greek myths into contemporary narratives, there’s no reason why the show won’t keep getting better.
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8Blood Of Zeus (2020–Present)
This well-received animated series is worth the wait between seasons
The Blood of Zeusmight also revolve around Greek mythology, but it couldn’t be more different than the other family-friendly Greek myth fantasy seriesPercy Jackson. Though it’s animated,The Blood of Zeusis far from appropriate for all ages. With its gore, graphic violence, and mature themes, it’s a decidedly adult animated series. However, these arethe elements that makeBlood of Zeusrelentlessly compelling and carve out such a unique nichein the popular genre of retelling of classical legends.
Part of the reason it works is thatBlood of Zeusis merely set within the canon of Greek mythology but invents new stories that could reasonably have been worked into the well-known myths.
Part of the reason it works is thatBlood of Zeusis merely set within the canon of Greek mythology but invents new stories that could reasonably have been worked into the well-known myths. Thanks to the detailed animation style, there was a significant gap betweenBlood of Zeusseasons 1 and 2. However, the explosive follow-up to the attention-grabbing first installment only made the wait more satisfying.Every aspect ofBlood of Zeusworks in harmony to create a cohesive universethat’s recognizable to a wide array of audiences but is undeniably rooted in Greek culture.
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The Legend of Vox Machina
The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated series that follows a group of rowdy misfits turned mercenaries. As they prioritize easy money and leisure over duty, they find themselves as the unlikely heroes tasked with defending the kingdom from impending evil and restoring justice.
The Dungeons and Dragons-based web seriesCritical Rolewas adapted for television in 2022and has become the enduring fantasy seriesThe Legend of Vox Machina. D&D is well-known for being an expansive interactive game that lends itself to the creation of layered fantasy worlds. This is how the universe ofVox Machinacame to be, and though the setting is a big draw for audiences, the characters and relationships are just as important. Stellar voice acting from the ensemble cast drives home this point.
The response toThe Legend of Vox Machinaseason 1 was overwhelming and immediate, as the show has connected with audiences both inside and outside the D&D fanbase. This is because the series is just as focused on the development of its characters as it is on the overarching narrative of the campaign. Though there’s plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and references to the game,The Legend of Vox Machinahas grown to take itself more seriously with each passing season, developing emotionally impactful storylines.
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Sweet Home
Sweet Home follows the story of Hyun-soo, a reclusive high school student who moves into the Green Home apartment complex after losing his family. When a mysterious epidemic turns people into monstrous creatures, Hyun-soo and the residents of Green Home must band together to survive, confronting their inner demons and the horrifying threats outside.
The iconic K-Drama star Song Kang plays Cha Hyun-su, the protagonist ofSweet Home, a horror-fantasy series that strikes new territory on the concept of the apocalyptic genre. Set in a universe where people are turning into horrible monsters,Hyun-su is one of the only people with the unique ability to fuse both his human and monster sides,giving him a leg up in the fight to save humanity. While season 1 focuses on just one apartment building full of survivors, each installment expands the world ofSweet Home.
Though the show concluded with season 3, it achieved a well-crafted narrative that builds the character development and relationships with each new set of episodes.
Withplenty of body horror and references to classic zombie films and TV shows,Sweet Homewas an instant favorite on Netflix after its premiere in 2020. Though the show concluded with season 3, it achieved a well-crafted narrative that builds the character development and relationships with each new set of episodes. Hyun-su remains one of the most compelling characters inSweet Home. This is thanks to Song’s performance and the series’ ability to have empathy for small human drama in the midst of world-ending events.
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The Sandman
The Sandman is a 2022 adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s iconic comic series. The narrative follows Morpheus, the King of Dreams, who, after years of imprisonment, embarks on a quest across various realms to recover his stolen artifacts and regain his lost power.
Based on the beloved fantasy comic book series of the same name,The Sandmanis one of the most interesting fantasy series to come from Netflix since 2020. Tom Sturridge does excellent work portraying Morpheus, AKA Dream, the Lord of Dreams, who must regain his faith and trust in the world after being imprisoned by a human for over one hundred years. Each episode expands on Dream’s place in the universe and his path to retake control of his realm, the Dreaming.
Some of the best episodes ofThe Sandmansee Dream interacting with the other members of the Endless, his siblings who control different aspects of the universe.The Sandmanseason 2 castwill see the return of many of the best characters from season 1, including Kirby as Death, one of the other Endless.The Sandmanhad a difficult job, as adapting a comic series with such fantastical visuals and images that defy physics was a tall order, butthe series successfully balances reality with the mercurial world of the Endless.
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Arcane
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
It was shocking to learn that the critically acclaimed animated fantasy series from Netflix,Arcane, would conclude after season 2 since season 1 was met with such universal praise. However,the story of Vi and Jinx will have reached its natural end by the conclusion of the second installment.Ending a series before it grows stale shows incredible self-restraint on the part of the series creators and likely will enshrineArcaneas a tight and enduring piece of media.
Arcaneseason 2 Act One will premiere on Netflix on November 9th with Act Two following on November 16th, and Act Three on November 23rd (viaNetflix).
Arcanetakes place in the same universe asLeague of Legends, the popular video game series, and incorporates the most dynamic and visually intriguing parts of the games. However, the best part ofArcaneis the parallel journeys of Vi and Jinx, the sisters who are separated by time and circumstance and end up battling for the fate of their city. Though it will be tough to say goodbye, the good news is thatthere’s plenty of room forArcanespinoffs within the world ofLeague of Legends.
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8 Things That Need To Happen In Arcane Season 2 Before The Show Ends
After the bombshell announcement that season 2 will be the final outing for Arcane, a number of things must happen before the show concludes.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
House of Dragonhad big shoes to fill as a prequel to the beloved TV seriesGame of Thrones, which is well-known for being agreat fantasy TV show for beginners. Based on George R.R. Martin’s writings about the history of the Seven Kingdoms,House of the Dragonfocuses on the Targaryens and takes place several hundred years beforeGame of Thrones.Though it’s rooted in the same lore and logic asGame of Thrones, the series narrows its scope and doesn’t touch upon the other great houses in as much detail, allowing for a deeper exploration of its characters.
Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke are the driving forces behindHouse of the Dragonas Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, childhood best friends, turned bitter rivals for control of Westeros. WhileHouse of the Dragonhas drawn criticism for the liberties it has taken with Martin’s original story, this has allowed the narrative to stand apart fromGame of Thronesand take risks. As season 3 approaches, the war between Rhaenyra and her brother, Aegon, will likely become even more brutal, promising a continuation of the incredible action sequences that the series is known for.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
A prequel toThe Lord of the Rings,The Rings of Powertakes place during the Second Age of Middle-Earth, but that doesn’t mean it follows the lore laid out by J.R.R. Tolkien exactly. The changes thatThe Rings of Powermakes to the franchise don’t follow the universe’s canon, but they lend themselves to creating a story that works for TV. There’s no question thatthe resources and budget behindThe Rings of Powermake it an incredibly visually dynamic series.Additionally, the show weaves the most iconic parts ofThe Lord of the Ringsinto the plot.
When viewed as a more standalone series with roots in the larger franchise, it’s easy to appreciate the show’s merits.
This includes references to and appearances by characters like Gandalf, Galadriel, and Sauron. Additionally,it hints at the development of settings and pieces of lore that are vital to the original trilogy,like the forging of the titular rings of power. It’s difficult to reconcile the history ofThe Lord of the Ringswith the current trajectory ofThe Rings of Power, but it’s almost impossible to compare the different installments of Tolkien’s epic universe. When viewed as a more standalone series with roots in the larger franchise, it’s easy to appreciate the show’s merits.
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The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
Rosamund Pike stars as Moiraine Damodred, one of the most powerful characters inThe Wheel of Time, a series with an illustrious legacy within thefantasycanon. Written by Robert Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson,The Wheel of Timeis made up of fifteen books, including the prequel, and the show has only tackled the first two. The upcoming third season will potentially jump ahead to the fourth book,The Shadow Rising, which will delve even deeper into the story’s conflict.
Of course,The Wheel of Timeowes a lot to the source material but has successfully justified its existence as a show since the beginning. With iconic performances from Pike and her many costars, including Zoë Robins and Madeleine Madden,The Wheel of Timemakes the audience care about the characters and their quest to find the Dragon Reborn.WhileThe Wheel of Timeis considered high fantasy, it still manages to be accessibleand is consistently impressive because of the gorgeous set design and the well-crafted visual effects that immerse the audience in the world.
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