House of the Dragon
Set roughly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon is a prequel series focusing on a civil war that took place during the Targaryen Dynasty. The aging King Viserys is left without an heir, and conflict arises as the realm vies for the Iron Throne.
The Rings of Power
Foundation
Isaac Asimov's sci-fi series comes to life on Apple TV+ in Foundation, a political drama in space about a mathematician whose warning about the end of the world as they know it is ignored. Those in power banish him and his followers to the outer reaches of the universe, where they're forced to solve the conflict on their own.
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The Wheel of Time
A group of brave souls set out on a quest around the world to find out who among them is the legendary "Dragon," a being at the center of a vague prophesy that either brings the destruction of the universe or saves it. The Wheel of Time, adapted from the book series of the same name, also has a familiar face in actor Michael McElhatton, who played Roose Bolton on Game of Thrones.
His Dark Materials
James McAvoy stars in HBO's adaptation of His Dark Materials, a fantasy series based on an acclaimed trilogy of novels by author Philip Pullman. Set over the terrain of many different worlds, the story follows an orphan named Lyra who is prophesied to change the world.
The Sandman
For a dark fantasy series based on a subconscious dream world, The Sandman has a lot for Thrones fans to enjoy as well. Not only are there dragons, but there are also family politics, a decent bit of brutal violence, and tons of magic.
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The Witcher
Henry Cavill stars as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, Netflix's adaptation of the Polish fantasy series that has also spurned several popular video games. Created by magic, Geralt roams the vast forests and towns hunting monsters and interacting with powerful sorcerers.
Medici
Set in 15th century Florence, Italy, Medici is a political family drama centered around the famous Medici family—one of the largest patrons of the arts. Though there may not be dragons or an Iron Throne, there is a question of succession and the large Medici inheritance after the patriarch, Giovanni, passes away. The series also stars Richard Madden and Sean Bean, who both played prominent Starks on Thrones.
Knightfall
Knightfall is a ten-episode miniseries that delves into the medieval politics of the Knights Templar. The powerful military order was entrusted with protecting Christianity's religious relics during the Middle Ages and set out to find the legendary Holy Grail.
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The Crown
Into the royal lineages of Westeros? Well, how about some real history? Much of the war in Game of Thrones is based on the 15th-century War of the Roses, and while The Crown may focus on more modern royal drama, it also stars House of the Dragon's Matt Smith as a young Prince Philip.
Outlander
Based on the bestselling series of novels by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander stars Caitriona Balfe as a World War II-era nurse who is suddenly transported back in time to 1743. It's then that she meets a Highland warrior named Jamie Fraser, which sets the stage for a timeline-bending narrative, a hot romance, and plenty of battles.
Watch on STARZ Watch on Amazon Watch on Netflix
Rome
An underrated tw0-season gem from the aughts, Rome was a lush, violent, sexy, and twisty HBO series that follows some of the most infamous historical figures of all time. The show depicts Julius Caesar's reign as dictator and his betrayal by Marc Anthony, culminating in the latter's political and romantic affair with Cleopatra.
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Black Sails
More rooted in reality than Thrones, Black Sails tells an equally complex story of the Golden Age of pirates. A prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, the series takes place twenty years before the book and follows the iconic pirate Captain Flint (played here by Toby Stephens).
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Spartacus: Blood and Sand
The classic tale of the gladiator Spartacus gets the cable TV treatment, complete with all of the battles and sex. Spanning four seasons, Spartacus tells the story of the slave who organizes an uprising against his Roman captors.
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The Borgias
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The Last Kingdom
Based on The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell, this BBC / Netflix series stars Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior who is enslaved by Vikings as a child. Raised by his captors, his allegiances are tested when he returns to his homeland.
Camelot
The classic English legend gets a fresh retelling, with Joseph Fiennes starring as the ancient wizard Merlin who assists young Arthur (Jamie Campbell Brewer) to assume the throne of Camelot—much to the chagrin of Arthur's evil half-sister, Morgan (Eva Green).
Once Upon a Time
Fairy tales come to magical life in this long-running fantasy drama, in which classic fairy tale figures like Snow White and Cinderella—as well as other Disney icons like Aladdin and Elsa—all maneuver between the real world and an enchanted alternate reality.
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Vikings
This History Channel original series tracks the rise of the legendary Norse figure Ragnar Lothbrok, a simple farmer turned warrior who leads a successful raid on England and advances to becoming the Scandinavian king.
Watch on Amazon Watch on Hulu Watch on Peacock
The Tudors
The dramatic and bloody reign of King Henry VIII is the perfect subject matter for a TV series. Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as the English royal, who frequently came to blows with political enemies and went through a handful of wives in pursuit of a male heir.
Watch on Showtime Watch on Paramount+ Watch on Hulu
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