Fifteen new shows that could fill the Game of Thrones void

13. His Dark Materials (HBO)

You might already be familiar with the His Dark Materials series; the first book in Philip Pullman’s trilogy was adapted as the incredibly mediocre 2007 movie The Golden Compass. Thankfully, HBO and BBC One are teaming up to give this series the treatment it deserves. If you’re a fan of fantasy and religious commentary, this could be your new favorite show.

Pros

There’s a lot of new world to explore here. As production has promised repeatedly that the new series will stay very true to the original books, long-time fans should be very excited.

It’s also exciting that His Dark Materials will be produced by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner. These two were heavily involved in the highly successful Doctor Who revival. Their expertise could pay off as they explore this new fantastical setting. It could also draw in fans from the Doctor Who franchise.

Cons

His Dark Materials leans toward a young adult audience. Since Game of Thrones features a lot of sex and violence, its current following is largely adult. It’s hard to envision too many people making the switch to a kid’s show.

Additionally, the religious themes of His Dark Materials might turn off some potential viewers. The Golden Compass was famously protested upon its release, with many audience members stating that they could never support a project that so blatantly criticized the Catholic church. History has a way of repeating itself and I can’t imagine this problem going away the second time around.