There were some good fantasy TV shows this year, but some deserved a lot more attention!
Every year, TV networks and streamers produce fantasy shows. In 2024, we got new seasons of House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power, and there’s always more around the corner. 2025 will feature the returns of shows like The Wheel of Time and the debut of a new Game of Thrones prequel in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, both of which we can see getting a lot of love and acclaim.
But sadly, some shows slip under the radar. Some fail to find an audience and end before their time, while others survive and have a chance to grow their viewership. Here are eight fantasy series from 2024 that deserved more attention and provided fantasy lovers with great entertainment!
1. Supacell (Netflix)
Supacell took a classic idea and gave it a terrific new modern spin. A group of Londoners (all Black) suddenly develop superpowers. Everyone has a different idea of what to do with their abilities. One guy who can turn invisible turns to crime, while one with super strength goes to a dark place in an attempt to help his family. There’s also a crazy time travel plotline and a secret organization hunting our characters.
The cast was good at making it work while addressing issues of race, class, and other topics that other shows would ignore. Viewers came for the sci-fi action and stayed for the terrific characters, and hopefully, season 2 will get more eyes on the show.
2. Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix)
Another year, another wonderful and amazing fantasy show that Netflix canceled after one season. In this case, it was this loose adaptation of a comic book about a pair of ghost teens forming a detective agency with an amnesiac psychic. This show had plenty to offer, from supernatural thrills and scares to some excellent character work for the leads. It addressed issues of trauma and romance and included a shocking revelation about one character.
All the ingredients were there for another great year, but sadly, it's not to be. It’s downright sad that Netflix users have gotten used to the streamer dropping such fun shows way too soon.
3. Renegade Nell (Disney+)
It’s a real shame Disney+ canceled Renegade Nell after one season, as this show was a total blast. Louisa Harland should be a star thanks to her work as the title character, an 18th-century British soldier caught in a conspiracy against the crown. The big twist is that thanks to a fairy, Nell can unleash super strength on her enemies for crazy action. The laughs are plentiful, with clever banter and some fun twists, and the rest of the cast matches Harland in energy.
Renegade Nell ended in a way that left room for a second season. It deserved a longer run, a reward for being one of the best romps of 2024.
4. My Lady Jane (Prime Video)
Speaking of fantasy historical dramas ending way too soon, let's discuss Prime Video’s My Lady Jane. It started as a quirky alternate reality tale where Queen Jane Grey is not executed. But then we get people turning into animals, magic, conspiracies and more. It was insane but in a good way, with Emily Bader giving a wonderful performance as Jane. She had great chemistry with Edward Bluemel as Lord Guildford Dudley.
The show was building out what looked like an amazing universe, and there was lots of potential for further seasons. Prime Video axed it after just one. So, like her real-life counterpart, Jane didn’t get the chance to show what she could do.
5. Hysteria! (Peacock)
This Peacock series is a wonderful mix of horror and comedy. Set in the 1980s, a pack of teens decide to pretend to be Satanists to promote their band. It works but also puts them in the center of a mystery involving a possible true supernatural killing.
The show rode the ‘80s nostalgia quite well and featured some great acting turns, especially by Julie Bowen as Linda Campbell. It had some wicked dark comedy mixed with thrills and teen angst, and kept viewers guessing as to what was really going on. The finale was a wild affair involving demons and exorcisms and hopefully sets up a second season. Even if we don’t get that, anyone who’s a fan of ‘80s horror will love this amazing show that deserved far more eyes on it.
6. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (Netflix)
It’s amazing that it’s taken this long for someone to do an animated series based on the smash hit Tomb Raider games. Netflix did it and it was as great as fans had hoped. Hayley Atwell made for a terrific Lara Croft, going on a global hunt for an artifact that can control minds and lead to chaos. The best part of the show involved exploring Lara’s past and examining what drives her to risk her life for adventure. There was fun humor (Lara considers Paris “the worst place on Earth”) and the animation brought the episodes to life in a way that live-action never could.
Twilight of the Gods (Netflix)
Zack Snyder turned himself loose on the Norse myths and it was a recipe for wild madness. Even in anime form, Snyder’s unique vision cannot be suppressed. The carnage in Twilight of the Gods pushed the limits of animation, with the blood flowing alongside a good storyline about a warrior woman who is out to kill Thor and the rest of the gods.
Twilight of the Gods isn't a perfect show; it drags some in the middle, but it bounces back for a crazy finale. In addition to being a fun anime series, it’s surprisingly faithful to Norse mythology. This ranks as one of Snyder’s better projects, showing that his style may be a better fit for animation than live-action.
KAOS (Netflix)
Here's yet another show on the long list of “fun shows Netflix canceled too early.” KAOS should have worked. The idea of the Greek gods in modern-day life was compelling enough. Casting Jeff Goldblum as Zeus was a master stroke; the actor’s always unconventional charisma resulting in a performance you couldn't look away from. The show could be dark, but there was also fun humor and always inventive twists on the classic myths we all know, but reworked to fit our modern world.
The cliffhanger at the end of season 1 seemed to set up a second year that won’t happen. It’s too bad, as Goldblum gave it his all. That performance alone elevated this show above being a forgettable fantasy romp.
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