Top fantasy shows to watch this weekend
- Featured Film
Schenelle Dsouza- 10 minutes read
Schenelle Dsouza
Fantasy has always been one of the most popular genres on television. And with exciting elements like magic, mythical creatures and time travel, what’s not to love? Game of Thrones was one of the longstanding representations of the fantasy genre and despite its highly criticized ending, die-hard thronies (Game of Thrones fandom) eagerly awaited the show’s prequel, House of the Dragon. The very first episode, which was released on August 21, broke the internet becoming the most watched HBO series in Europe, with 1.9 million people turning in from UK alone.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon takes place 200 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones and focuses primarily on the House Targaryen. While we already love the show, it will be a long wait with only one episode out, and a few others scheduled for next month. In the meantime, take a look at some of our current favourite fantasy series below.
Carnival Row
Set in a Victorian fantasy world, Carnival Row is an American neo-noir fantasy starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. The show revolves around a conflict between the humanity of Burge, the good Faes and the evil Pact. After being attacked by humanity, the Faes take shelter in Burgue as refugees. However, they are looked down upon by humans, and forced to live in a ghetto called Carnival Row. Season One takes off with multiple twisted conspiracies and serial killings of the Faes which leads to an unlikely alliance between Bloom and Delevingne. Bloom who plays inspector Rycroft Philostrate sympathizes with them and sets out to solve the murders to restore peace and balance, along with fairy Vignette Stonemoss played by Delevingne.
Watch online on Amazon Prime
Good Omens
Unlike most fantasy shows, Good Omens has a light-hearted plot doused with sassy, comedic moments. Based on Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s 1990 novel of the same name, the series borrows heavily from Christian theology to create a fantastical universe set in the middle of armageddon aka the apocalypse. Heaven and hell prepare for a war that will result in the rising of the Antichrist. And so, in an attempt to prevent the war, an angel named Aziraphale and a carefree demon named Crowley join forces to prevent the end of the world and their mortal lives along with it. In addition to the perfect comedic timing, and engaging plot, the show has also given the audience what is said to be one of the best friendships on TV, that is Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and Crowley (David Tennant).
Watch online on Amazon Prime
The Sandman
Another Neil Gaiman adaptation, The Sandman is a rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy surrounding the king of dreams, Morpheus. A being that is said to be older than God, Morpheus exists in a realm called The Dreaming, where he tends to the REM state of all beings within the universe. He inspires people while occasionally arousing waking terrors in some. The series begins in 1916, when an exhausted Morpheus is captured by an immortality-seeking magus. After he escapes in1989, Morpheus sets out to restore his broken kingdom, while mending the cosmic and human mistakes he’s made during his long existence. The series gains major points for gripping characters like Lucifer Morningstar, Hob Gadling, Mervyn Pumpkinhead, Matthew the Raven and more.
Watch online on Netflix
The Wheel of Time
This one might seem familiar to fans of The Lord of the Rings, however, it’s different. Based on the books by Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time is set in a high fantasy world where magic exists but only a few have access to it. One of them is a woman named Moiraine Sedai, played by Rosamund Pike, who is a member of a female group of magic users called the Aes Sedai. Moiraine goes on a journey with five children, all belonging to the same village. Moiraine believes that one of them might be the reincarnation of the fabled Dragon, a powerful individual prophesied to save the world or destroy it. While Moiraine believes she can train the reincarnated one, Lews Therin Telamon only wants to cage the dragon once and for all. The pair remain opposed which causes a trail of misfortune events that lead the way into Season 2.
Watch online on Amazon Prime
The Witcher
