With fan favorite series, the witcher, Accumulation of prize wins and nominations, a precursor to the monster hunting phenomenon supernatural in progress and the new season of Romance Powerhouse stranger Coming to service (hopefully) soon, it’s clear that Netflix is in a strong position with its fantasy TV offering.
And with Netflix being in the news for all the wrong reasons, the streaming giant will need a few of these shows to become hits as its empire comes under siege from all sides by new sleek competition.
Merlin
Based on Arthurian legend, Merlin ran on the BBC from 2008 to 2012. One of the highlights of the show is the appearance of the two main actors, Bradley James and Colin Morgan. you play or Pdo the washing up Arthur and Merlin, a wizard-in-training. Both actors bring a sense of humor and sincerity to their roles, and as the show progresses their chemistry is undeniable.
A coming-of-age story with a sword-and-magic twist, Merlin is the definition of a feel-good show. Scenes or even episodes that are very action/story oriented are well punctuated by more comedic slice-of-life offerings. Though light-hearted, the show’s themes of acceptance and tolerance, brought to life through Arthur’s evolution from someone who fears and distrusts magicians to Merlin’s closest friend, still ring true today.
supernatural
For 15 seasons, supernatural told the story of the Winchester brothers Sam and Dean fighting monsters and ghouls. The show draws on mythological traditions from around the world and makes it possible supernatural to stay fresh until the series finale in 2020.
In addition to multiple Primetime Emmy and GLADD Media Award nominations, supernatural is a mainstay of the Canadian Constellation Awards (the show is filmed in Vancouver) and has won 18 awards since its inception. supernatural is 100 percent action show, and despite being a cable show, the action sequences beat their weight in terms of realism. Another surprise is the writers’ comedic comedies, which offer a welcome respite from the series’ darker moments.
lock & key
lock & key follows the Locke family who have relocated to their spooky family home, the Keyhouse, after a traumatic death. Locke children Tyler, Kinsey and young Bode find keys that grant powers ranging from super strength to mind reading.
During a fantasy show lock & key has some serious horror elements beyond simple jump scares. But it’s the special effects and sound design that really set the series apart from the competition. The show takes advantage of these to increase the tension during its horror sequences and bring some of its more fantastical moments to life. At times it can get bogged down by romantic subplots that aren’t fully realized, and its examples of teenage drama can be a little over the top. but lock & key deals with the themes of loss and grief more adeptly than one would expect from a YA show.
sweet tooth
Standing on either side of the sci-fi/fantasy fence, sweet tooth takes place in post-apocalypse America after a virus called The Sick has killed most of humanity and all babies were born part human and part animal. The series follows a young, intelligent hybrid named Gus as he searches for his mother in Colorado.
Despite some heavy themes and scenes, sweet tooth is lifted by its more tender moments, like 12-year-old Christian Convery’s portrayal of Gus, which has more depth than one normally sees in an actor so young. A very strong soundtrack is another strong point and the use of Of Monsters and Men’s “Dirty Paws”. at the end of the first episode perfectly captures the aesthetic that the show is aiming for. sweet tooth also deserves recognition for its immersive worldbuilding which, along with its visual choices, makes it easy for viewers to immerse themselves in the universe.
disappointment
disappointment was created by Matt Groening, the creative force behind the legendary animated comedy shows, The simpsons and futurama. Taking place in the fully magical world of Dreamland, disappointment follows the dissatisfied Princess Bean, who opposes her father’s plans to marry her off in the traditional medieval manner.
His animation style will be very familiar to fans of Groening’s other works, as will his offbeat humor. Voice acting can often make or break a show, and disappointment beats it out of the park. Comedy veterans Nat Faxon and Eric Andre fill their roles to perfection and bring tons of life to their characters. The ninth episode of season two, The Electric Princess, truly shows the growth and depth of Matt Groening’s recent work.
The Witcher
The Witcher follows the monster hunter (referred to in-universe as the “Witcher”) Geralt of Rivia, played magnetically by Henry Cavill. During The Witcher has a well deserved reputation as a show that isn’t afraid to depict sex and violence, the more subtle plot points are also very well executed, due in large part to the strong acting of the show’s other leads, Freya Allan (Princess Cirilla) and, too owing is sometimes scary, Anya Chalorta (Yennefer von Vengerberg).
The fight choreography is another factor that deserves special attention; The limited cuts during the action scene lock viewers into the often brutal violence of That witcher, while the actors do a great job of making the movements look natural. After three Saturn Award nominations in 2021 The Witcher has maintained this momentum and has already won awards for sound design, make-up and visual effects. With Emmy voting set to begin in the coming months, only time will tell The Witcher will be adding more glamorous hardware to his collection.
shadow and bone
Adapting a universe as complex as Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse for television is no easy task, however shadow and bone did just that. shadow and bone is a classic coming-of-age story that follows the orphan Alina Starkov as she learns to use her hidden magical powers to save her homeland and friends from the terrible darkness known as The Fold.
YA media often fall into the trap of frosting the heavy issues they want to address. shadow and bone cleverly avoids these pitfalls without being overdone. Shadow and Bone’s strong costuming does an excellent job of transporting viewers into a fantasy world that still has many real-life traps. An ensemble cast of Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux and Freddy Carter rounds out the recipe for success that has left fans hungry for more.
stranger
Since stranger premiered 2014, star trek Former Ronald D. Moore has done a masterful job of bringing Diana Gabaldon’s work to the small screen. stranger tells the story of Claire Randall, a WWII nurse who travels back in time to 1740s Scotland and falls in love with Highlander Jamie Fraser.
The show expertly blends historical fiction, drama, fantasy and a heavy dose of romance to make it one of the most enduring fantasy shows of the last decade. stranger carries a TV-MA rating for graphic violence and sexuality, but the show is defined by the romantic chemistry of the two leads — and Caitríona Balfe (Claire) and Sam Heughan (Jamie) are simply electrifying.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
A mesmerizing blend of practical effects, stunning CGI and puppetry has created a show that is truly like no other. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance follows Rian, Deet and Brea as they fight to save their world from the evil Skeksis.
Along with stunning visuals, a star-studded voice cast that includes Mark Hamill, Simon Pegg, Anya Taylor-Joy and many others help bring the characters to life in compelling ways. Critics have also given Age of Resistance Lots of Love: The show was nominated for a 2021 Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Television Series and won an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program in 2020.
The Mages
For an enchanting school story Harry Potter Ader, look no further than The Mages. It follows two young magic users, Quentin Coldwater and Julia Wicker, and their different ways of expanding their abilities.
While it doesn’t always handle its heavier subjects as adeptly as other YA shows, The Mages is full of heart and an almost sardonic sense of humor that carries the show. Merging a magical world with our real world is a bit of world building The Mages handles better than most. Some of the show’s more repetitive aspects are saved by a strong script, eye-catching visuals, and the performances of Jason Ralph and Olivia Taylor Dudley.
Varis Van zel 