15 shows to watch if you like House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones

House of the Dragon is currently in its second season and is wowing fans and critics alike. The prequel to Game of Thrones tackles a lot; not just epic battle scenes and creature scenes but also the amazing political plots and personal clashes. A lot of fantasy shows have tried to hit those targets and failed badly.

Yet there are a lot of shows out there that can appeal to Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon fans. They’re not all fantasy series either, as some are more historical dramas that capture the same elements of political intrigue and feature similarly terrific characters. For any Thrones/Dragon fan who wants more of the same elsewhere on TV, here’s a rundown of 15 shows to check out to fill that void.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

An obvious pick to be sure; the first season of this show aired in 2022, opposite the first season of House of the Dragon, and the second will premiere this August. This Prime Video series takes place thousands of years before the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movies and explores the origins of the titular Rings and how they sparked a massive war.

The show has detractors but still wows with stunning visuals, epic battle scenes and a compelling take on Galadriel, an elven ruler in The Lord of the Rings who's on the road as a warrior here. For anyone who loves epic fantasy, this tie-in to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien should be a must-watch.

Available on Prime Video

The Wheel of Time

Another book adaptation, this Prime Video series tackles the 14-volume epic The Wheel of Time, written by the late Robert Jordan and finished by Brandon Sanderson. In a world where women called Aes Sedai wield a mystical power, one sorcereress gathers a band for a quest. She’s trying to figure out which of this group could be the fabled Dragon Reborn, a messianic figure destined to save the world...or destroy it.

Even if you haven’t read the books, you can get into this series because of the solid cast and the intriguing turns of the plot. There are political storylines involving the Aes Sedai and royal families, some twisted evil figures, and a main character, Rand al'Thor, balanced on the edge of good and evil. There are two seasons out with a third on the way.

Available on Prime Video

Succession

More than one reviewer has called House of the Dragon “Succession with dragons.” HBO’s Emmy-winning smash hit remains a fantastic show. It’s outright fascinating watching the high-powered Roy siblings constantly battling for approval from their media mogul dad Logan (Brian Cox) that will never come, all while scheming to be first in line to inherit his empire.

The cast is stellar. Many of them won Emmys for their work, with Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook being major highlights. Best of all, the show doesn’t wear out its welcome, going out in a four-season run that earns its place as one of the best HBO shows ever.

Available on MAX

My Lady Jane

This new Prime Video series tackles alternate history. Lady Jane Grey ruled as Queen of England for literally a week before she was overthrown and executed. Here, Jane avoids that fate and embarks on a quest to take the throne, which has her clashing with her family, assassins, and a handsome thief. There are some supernatural elements too.

The show has a tongue-in-cheek tone with modern music and attitudes, some spectacular action, and a terrific lead actress in Emily Bader. It’s not historically accurate, but it’s a light-hearted alternative to a battle for the Iron Throne that fans of House of the Dragon can enjoy.

Available on Prime Video

Spartacus

This Starz series is notable for its action, its period detail, and for some very steamy scenes. It’s a powerful tale about the Roman slave Spartacus (originally played by the late Andy Whitfield, then by Liam McIntyre) who becomes a gladiator and leads a revolt against Rome. With a cast including Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, Katrina Law and other recognizable names, the show is a marvel, with scenes that make House of the Dragon look like a kid’s show.

The series ran for three seasons (plus the Gods of the Arena prequel) but packs in more entertainment than shows that go twice as long. You root for Spartacus and his allies, see the politics of Rome at work and witness more back-stabbing (sometimes literally) and bare bodies than you can imagine. Any Thrones/Dragon fan would get a kick out of this series.

Available on Starz and Plex

The Last Kingdom

It’s not fantasy, but this Netflix historical show should hold a lot to appeal for House of the Dragon fans. Based on the Saxon Stories books by Bernard Cromwell, it's about the clashes between the Saxons and Danes for control of 10th-century England. The focus is on Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon who grows up with Danes and wants to reclaim his home.

The show is terrific. It's got lots of great period detail and mixes epic battles mixed with political clashes and ever-shifting alliances. Its five-season run (as well as a movie conclusion) represents one of Netflix's best end-to-ened efforts. 

Available on Netflix

The Outpost

Airing on the CW, this underrated fantasy series may not be as deep as House of the Dragon, but it has some appeal. Years after her people were slaughtered, Talon (Jessica Green) seeks revenge on the men behind it. It leads her to a fortress on the edge of the civilized world where she’s soon drawn into a fight against a great evil on the horizon.

Green is mesmerizing in the lead role. The show has some fun action and amps up the stakes in every season. Major characters die, the supernatural evil grows more powerful and you feel for the characters. Its four-season run deserves a look. The Outpost deserves a much larger following as a fun fantasy experience.

Available on Prime Video

The Expanse

It’s sci-fi, but this series (originally on Syfy then picked up by Prime Video) is fantastic viewing that can appeal to any Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon fan. Centuries in the future, a murder case and the discovery of an asteroid with strange properties topples a series of dominos that leads to a full-scale galactic war. The political intrigue is the real draw, even though the hard(ish) sci-fi elements and spectacular special effects also shine brightly.

The Expanse has a great cast. The highlight is Shohreh Aghdashloo as Chrisjen Avasarala, who dominates every second of screentime with a quick wit that could cut Cersei Lannister down to size. Its fantastic storytelling and gorgeous visuals make this a must-watch, even if you’re not that into sci-fi.

Available on Prime Video

Shōgun

FX’s adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 novel has been hailed as one of the best shows of 2024, and it’s easy to see why. The bare bones summary is that an English sailor washes ashore in feudal Japan and is brought to the home of a rising lord. However, that doesn’t do justice to the series’ complexity or how it nails aspects of Japanese culture and deconstructs the “white savior” tropes you usually find in these sorts of tales.

You have to pay attention to this story, but it’s worth it. Watching the political back and forth amidst the Japanese culture of honor and duty is captivating. There is some good action and terrific acting, but it’s the political intrigue that’s earned the show accolades, and the big reason it’s going to be a contender during awards season.

Available on Hulu

Rome

Can this be HBO’s most underrated series ever? Running only two seasons, this 2005-07 drama is a classic. Key events from the golden age of ancient Rome are told through the viewpoints of two soldiers played by Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson. From Caesar crossing the Rubicon to the romance between Anthony and Cleopatra, it’s compelling viewing that gives us a much grittier take on ancient Rome than most movies do.

The cast is packed with familiar names, many of whom would later show up on Game of Thrones. Polly Walker is a highlight as a conniving noblewoman. There are epic battles, steamy bedroom hookups and good political subplots. Sadly cut too short, Rome should be remembered as a key precursor to Thrones. 

Available on Hulu and Prime Video

Black Sails

Shifting genres a tad, this Starz series is meant as a prequel to the classic novel Treasure Island, telling the story of how the future Long John Silver got his start during the Golden Age of Piracy. It mostly takes place on islands or boats. There are great battle scenes, but the real joy is watching these pirates constantly plotting against each other.

Being a Starz show, we get some steamy scenes with gorgeous actors as well as plenty of gritty violence. There’re also appearances from real pirates like Anne Boylen and even Blackbeard. A fun touch is the irony that the pirates are sometimes more honest than the soldiers and politicians fighting them. It adds up to a treasure of a TV show.

Available on Netflix

Shadow and Bone

Yet another entry in the category of “great shows Netflix ended too early,” this adaptation of the best-selling fantasy novels earned a big cult audience. In a fantasy world inspired by 19th century Earth, a young woman (Jessie Mei Li) finds that she has a special power. She is soon used as a tool of various forces to try and control a dark Fold that cuts her country in half.

The second season shakes things up a bit with more political intrigue, a band of crooks and plenty of action amid some fun scheming. It’s a shame that the show had to end after only two seasons, but hopefully it can still find new fans.

Available on Netflix

The Witcher

Another obvious pick is Netflix’s stunning adaptation of the long-running novel/video game series The Witcher. Henry Cavill is top-notch as the heroic Geralt, a fighter of demons who’s drawn into a hunt for a princess. The series can be murky but gripping, with some of the wildest action you’ll see on TV.

There are plenty of fantasy elements, as well as some great twists. The upcoming fourth season will see Liam Hemsworth step in for Cavill, so it’s a good time to jump onto this phenomenon.

Available on Netflix

Reign

An offbeat entry on this list, this CW series dramatizes the life of Mary Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane) who comes to 16th century France to wed Prince Francis. With the seer Nostramadus predicting a dark fate for her, Mary navigates the halls of power at court, going up against Francis' mother Catherine Medici (a scene-stealing Megan Follows).

It’s the CW, so we get some offbeat music choices and more teen-oriented drama, but it does a fine job tackling the politics of the court and including some entertaining action. A great addition in season 3 is Rachel Skarsten as Queen Elizabeth I. While cut a bit shorter than expected, it's still an enjoyable historical fiction series.

Available on CWTV

Star Wars: Andor

Andor is the Star Wars show for those who don’t like Star Wars. In this prequel to Rogue One, Diego Luna reprises his role as Andor Cassan, who rises from being a street kid to a member of the Rebel Alliance. There are stormtroopers and space battles, but it’s remarkable how Andor doesn’t feel as tied to the Star Wars mythos as other shows.

The fascinating take on the Empire, a bureaucracy where folks are constantly backstabbing each other, is offset by the growing Rebellion, which isn't as united as it should be. The prison arc is sensational writing and the finale is glorious. Any Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon fan should make room for this fantastic take on the Star Wars franchise.

Available on Disney+

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