Let’s say you’re just starting to get into the fantasy genre. You’re reading some great romantasy books, and while reading is great, you want to check out some fantasy TV shows, but it feels like so much all at once. The Wheel of Time and other crazy series that have so many characters to follow all the time — it’s too much for the brain. I would know. That was me when I first checked out Game of Thrones years ago.
And while doing that did change me for the better—I'm the hugest nerd for the fandom now and have read Fire & Blood from front to back because I admire the Targaryens so much—it can be a lot for someone who is just trying to get their feet wet in the genre. That’s why, today, I’m going to give you four fantasy shows that I believe are fantastic to start out on as your enter the world of the fantasy genre..
Charmed
I think the best way to start off this list is Charmed. Either the original or the reboot.
Charmed is a fantasy series that mainly follows three sisters who happen to be classified as “the powerful good witches of all time.” They hide their powers from the public so they can use them to protect innocent lives from monsters, demons, and anything else that might be inherently terrifying.
The reason I think that Charmed is a great series to check out if you’re new to fantasy is that it’s not inherently super hard to understand. It’s a basic good-versus-evil plot about three girls trying to come together to protect not only the ones they love but also people they don’t even know. The magic system is easy to follow along to, and the characters are lovable in the best way. The series was extremely successful and has an entire fanbase dedicated to it.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
This series is genuinely one of my favorites of all time. Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated series set in a fantasy world where people can bend fire, water, air, and earth. But in this timeline, Aang is the last Airbender, as his people were wiped out a century ago. Now, he must take on the threat of the Firelord, who wants to take over every nation.
That’s honestly simplifying the plot, but I don’t mean to say that to scare you. Honestly, this show was originally marketed to children, but the adult fanbase is huge now because of the themes in the series, as well as the story it tells.
And honestly, Zuko has one of the best character arcs on television. You should watch the show just for him and to see him grow and change. You will be inspired by Uncle Iroh. Entertained by Sokka. Given hope by Aang — it’s the whole package. And with an interesting magic system, it’s worth the time. There are a couple of sequel series too, as well as a live-action adaptation, so it’s worth the time to check out the original.
Merlin
Loosely based on the King Arthur stories, Merlin focuses mainly on the main wizard himself. Merlin is sent to Camelot and saves King Arthur on his first day there, but he must also keep his powers hidden, as his family caused magic to be banned in the kingdom.
The series itself is a really cool retelling of classic tales, and it also makes the King Arthur stories a lot easier to digest. I think there are some King Arthur adaptations that do really well, but most of the time it feels like things can get lost in the sauce, especially in a modern retelling.
But this one does it very well, and with five seasons, you’ll be plenty captivated.
The Magicians
Last but not least, let’s give The Magicians some flowers, a show that was canceled far too soon and deserved to run for many more seasons.
The series' basic premise is that a young man who enrolls in a school to become a magician discovers that the magic from one of his favorite childhood books is real, and it mainly follows his adventures, especially the people he crosses paths with. But I think what makes The Magicians really stand out is that the magic system is really well-done and features a high-stakes storyline that will capture your interest from the very beginning.
Truthfully, this series isn’t watched enough, and it deserves a lot more eyes than what it has gotten in the past. Syfy originally aired the show, but now you can watch all five seasons on Amazon Prime. And trust me, it is worth every second.
Once you get through some of these great fantasy shows, you’ll be on the right track to watching Game of Thrones and be on track to check out those heartbreaking moments. It’s time to join the fantasy club and these shows are your perfect gateway into the genre!
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