Fantasy shows are all over the airwaves now. From cable networks to on-demand streaming services, it seems people just can’t get enough of fantasy television. This is likely because it offers a form of escapism, allowing viewers to glimpse either a heavily, yet far more interesting version of their own world, or a completely new world with its own laws of physics and geography.
In this endless amount of fantasy shows, not every single show is going to get a chance to reach the level of success as programs like The Wheel of Time or House of the Dragon. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve that level of attention. These are the most underrated fantasy TV shows, fantastic stories that often never got the attention or the stellar reviews that they quite honestly deserved.
10
‘Legend of the Seeker’ (2008–2010)
Created by Sam Raimi
Legend of the Seeker wasn’t very well received by critics, which is probably what contributed to its cancelation. Audiences, however, were actually rather pleased with the series, especially considering it was created by none other than film director Sam Raimi. The story is based on a novel series by Terry Goodkind, a book series that is generally seen as subpar in the fantasy reading community. However, the show managed to actually improve upon its source, with newcomers and long-time Goodkind fans appreciating it for its faithfulness.
A lot of the show will also be loved by fans of 300, as it utilizes the same slo-mo style for action sequences and features a lot of Raimi’s signature flair, which helped to separate it a bit from the novels without it being too different or too weighed down by its source. It may not be the best thing ever and is most certainly for a particular niche of viewers, but overall, it’s a fun show that looks pretty and has a lot of good action in it.
9
‘Lost Girl’ (2010–2015)
Created by Michelle Lovretta
Lost Girl is a Canadian series that should definitely be on the radar for fans of Supernatural. The story follows a succubus, also known as a she-devil named Bo Dennis (Anna Silk), who has been born and raised into a human family, and who becomes fed up with how she has never fit in with society. Thus, she embarks upon a quest to discover her true history, and to learn more about herself and finally find her identity.
The show does a lot of things right and makes a lot of bold moves, including exploring sexuality, with Bo being openly bisexual, with other characters having interests in BDSM and polyamory. It’s sort of a huge part of the show’s identity, and is part of what makes it so unique. Obviously, it’s intended for adults rather than teens, but overall, it’s a very intriguing and daring supernatural drama with a touch of fantasy, featuring numerous paranormal creatures presented with a relatable narrative of self-discovery and the turmoil of going through a quarter-life crisis.
Lost Girl
- Release Date
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September 12, 2010
- Directors
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Steve DiMarco, Paolo Barzman, Ron Murphy, John Fawcett, Lee Rose, Gail Harvey, David Greene, Rob Lieberman, Paul Fox, Mairzee Almas, Andy Mikita, George Mihalka, Brett Sullivan, James Dunnison, Lynne Stopkewich, Michael DeCarlo, Erik Canuel, David Winning, Clark Johnson, Bruce McDonald
- Writers
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emily andras, Jeremy Boxen, M. A. Lovretta, Steve Cochrane, Alexandra Zarowny, Michael Grassi, Sandra Chwialkowska, Ley Lukins, Lauren Gosnell, Shelley Scarrow, Peter Mohan, James Thorpe, Grant Rosenberg, Duana Taha, Lara Azzopardi, Sam Ruano, Brendon Yorke, Harris Goldberg, Pamela Pinch
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Aaron Poole
Kelly the Hunter
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8
‘Galavant’ (2015–2016)
Created by Dan Fogelman
Galavant is a perfect pick for those who are looking for a bit of music and comedy with their fantasy. The show is set in a fantastical version of Medieval England, with a vibe that many fans describe as being if Monty Python and The Princess Bride had a baby. As such, this is certainly not a show for kids, as there’s a lot of mature humor, all delivered with a musical twist.
Loads of notable comedians and actors have appeared on the show, including Ricky Gervais, “Weird” Al Yankovic, Kylie Minogue, and John Stamos, among others, who all add to the wonderfully quirky humor of the universe. The soundtrack of the show actually received an Emmy nomination, but in spite of great reviews, the show came to a close after only two seasons, disappointing fans and the cast.
7
‘The Shannara Chronicles’ (2016–2017)
Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
The Shannara Chronicles is a series based on the novel series of the same name by author Terry Brooks, though it unfortunately received a cancelation just two seasons in. One of the main reasons for this is it was created for MTV and Spike, which are typically channels people flock to for reality TV and sitcoms, not complex fantasy shows. On top of that, it came out during the Game of Thrones craze, and while this should have made it a trending topic, there were just too many similar shows, and it was sadly left in the dust of other, more popular ventures.
The star of the show is a young Austin Butler, before his big Hollywood breakout, who plays a half-human half-elf hybrid who is destined to save the realm from an invading army of demons using his father’s magical artifacts. The cancelation was pretty abrupt and ultimately unjustified as it never got to receive a popular conclusion. However, it is still a fantastic show for fantasy fans and a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the novels.
6
‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)
Developed by Erich Heisserer
Another fantasy TV series based on a book, Shadow and Bone is a steampunk-esque fantasy based on a novel of the same name by Leigh Bardugo, along with its sequel. Like many of the best, yet most underrated fantasy shows, this one ended on a cliffhanger after it was canceled far too soon due to lack of viewership, even if it did earn some remarkable reviews.
It really shines in its unique and mysterious world, though, as it differs greatly from the typical Medieval-themed worlds of many of the most popular fantasy series. Instead, the setting is more akin to Victorian England, centering on the magical race of humanoids known as the Grisha inhabiting various nations, each mirroring real-world cultures. With an in-depth magic system mixed with some London gang warfare, Shadow and Bone is a really interesting entry in the fantasy genre, offering something a little different for the most avid consumers.
Shadow and Bone
- Release Date
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April 23, 2021
- Showrunner
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Eric Heisserer
- Directors
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Mairzee Almas, Lee Toland Krieger, Jeremy Webb, Bola Ogun, Karen Gaviola, Laura Belsey, Dan Liu
- Writers
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Eric Heisserer, Vanya Asher, Daegan Fryklind, Shelley Meals, Christina Strain, M. Scott Veach, Donna Thorland, Erin Conley, Nick Culbertson
5
‘The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself’ (2022)
Created by Joe Barton
Based on the novel Half Bad by Sally Green, The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself is a British supernatural drama/fantasy series following an adolescent named Nathan (Jay Lycurgo), the illegitimate child of the world’s most dangerous witch, one who was responsible for a deadly massacre. As a result, Nathan finds himself monitored by two warring clans, who worry he will follow in the footsteps of his parents, and who both seek to control his hidden powers for their own nefarious purposes.
Though it’s only eight episodes, critics praised the show for its witty dialogue, effective use of the teen fantasy drama formula, excellent acting performances, and macabre tone, from the visuals to the sound design. All in all, it’s a show that had a lot going for it, and that definitely could’ve expanded well beyond its source material if it really wanted to. Unfortunately, it just didn’t land the viewership it needed, which is really a shame.
4
‘Primal’ (2019–)
Created by Genndy Tartakovsky
Primal remains underrated on account of the fact that it was not created for a major network, instead airing on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. Typically, Adult Swim shows are comedy-centric, but Primal proved to be an outstanding prehistoric adventure, taking place during an anachronistic time period in which dinosaurs, Ice Age-era animals, and early humans all live together in relative harmony… or at least, at the level of harmony one can expect.
In the chaos of this new and rapidly evolving world, a sentient dinosaur and a Neanderthal, as they bond over shared experiences and battle their way across the landscape, encountering numerous foes and cultures. From Ancient Egyptians to Vikings, loads of different time periods are portrayed all at once in Primal, leaving it consistently exciting. Plus, let’s be real—a dude riding a dinosaur into battle is just plain wicked. With stellar reviews and an intriguing plotline, Primal definitely deserves more attention.
Primal
- Release Date
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October 8, 2019
3
‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ (2019)
Developed by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews
A prequel to the 1980s Jim Henson film, The Dark Crystal, Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a show that has never gotten the attention it deserves. It received incredible reviews but had too large of a budget, and unfortunately didn’t receive as much of a viewership as was anticipated, leading to a premature cancelation after only one season. It’s honestly kind of tragic because lots of fantasy fans would love The Dark Crystal if they bothered to give it a chance.
The show takes audiences back to the mystical world of Thra, detailing the growth of the Skeksis’ empire and the purging of the native Gelflings to near-extinction, as well as the origins of the titular Dark Crystal. It fleshed out Henson’s world so much more, adding brand new levels of depth and allowing audiences to experience the cultures and organisms of Thra before the Skeksis turned it into an apocalyptic nightmare. It’s a unique dark fantasy show that must be seen to be believed.
2
‘The Dragon Prince’ (2018–2024)
Created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond
The Dragon Prince is a Netflix original high fantasy TV series that really had a lot going for it, and was fortunate enough to see six seasons and a proper conclusion. Normally, high fantasy shows have to base themselves on books, because there’s always a lot of lore to cut into, which makes having some source material as backup beneficial. Yet, The Dragon Prince remains wholly original, yet still maintains a fully fleshed-out world with mystical creatures, dark elves, and yes, dragons.
The colorful animation is truly gorgeous, and the show is safe, yet also serious and not too juvenile, meaning the entire family can enjoy it together. Unfortunately, though, it is far from Netflix’s most viewed series, and despite rave reviews, it is still ultimately waiting for a bigger chance to shine. With no foreseeable future for the series now that it’s over, it’s unlikely that big break will ever come, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a brilliant show that’s easy to become immersed in.
1
‘Kingdom’ (2019–2021)
Created by Kim Eun-hee
Kingdom is a South Korean Netflix series based on a webcomic turned graphic novel. The fantasy horror series takes place at the turn of the 17th Century in the Joseon Empire, a Medieval realm that once encompassed the Korean peninsula. Amidst the aftermath of a war with the Japanese and political turmoil, the tyrannical Haewon Cho clan harnesses the power of a parasitic life form found in a mythical flower to raise their king from the dead, so that they can maintain control of the throne. In the process, however, they accidentally unleash a zombie horde.
The series was never officially canceled, but has yet to produce anything new since 2021, airing only two seasons and one special episode. With its political intrigue and zombie action, it’s a perfect pick for fans of Game of Thrones, set in an alternate version of Joseon’s history. While it looks like fans who are hungry for more are unlikely to receive any closure after that cliffhanger, it still remains one of the finest low fantasy series ever made, one that hasn’t been seen nearly enough by most Netflix users.
Kingdom
- Release Date
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2019 – 2019
- Directors
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Kim Seong-hun, Park In-je
- Writers
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Kim Eun-hee
