FantasyTV shows are some of the most innovative in the television sphere and require lots of worldbuilding to get their premises off the ground. This means thatif a fantasy series ends too soon, critical pieces of lore and character-building might never be revealed.Ending on a cliffhanger is a significant disappointment for audiences who watch magical TV shows, as these series usually have high stakes, so the characters' lives might hang in the balance. In many cases, even if a show is universally beloved by critics and audiences, this doesn’t mean it will be saved from cancelation.
Like fantasy, manypromising sci-fi TV shows were canceled too soon, as speculative fiction isn’t always a crossover hit with a large number of audience members. Even if a series isn’t canceled and reaches its planned length, there still might be more that the writers and characters could explore with further stories.When a fantasy TV show is well written, worlds are created that could sustain a variety of plots and characters in different corners of the universe,regardless of whether the main characters are involved.
Game Of Thrones
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Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
TheGame of Thronesfranchise is getting a second life through the recent prequel seriesHouse of the Dragon,which has captured the attention of audiences who couldn’t get enough of the original series. ThoughGeorge R.R. Martin criticizedHouse of the Dragon, many fans appreciate that the show is avoiding some of the mistakes of the later seasons ofGame of Thrones. Though the original series went on for eight seasons, the final season left off with more stories to be told.
There was pressure for the series to wrap everything up neatly in season 8, but the many loose ends and interweaving plotlines left too much in the air to be tackled in just one season.
The sudden change in characterization that many protagonists experienced inGame of Thronesseason 8is part of why it’sthe lowest-rated season of the show.There was pressure for the series to wrap everything up neatly in season 8, but the many loose ends and interweaving plotlines left too much in the air to be tackled in just one season. If the series had received one or two more installments, the methodical and well-planned pace of the early seasons could have returned, making for a more satisfying ending.
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Arcane
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
Unfortunately,Arcane’s long-awaited season 2 will be the final installment of the show, even though it’s consistently been highlighted as Netflix’s best animated fantasy series. Based on theLeague of Legendsvideo games,Arcanepaves the way for video game adaptations everywhereand stands out because of the intricate worldbuilding and great character design. The main characters, Vi and Jinx, are excellent foils, and the series makes good on the video game’s legacy of using intricate fight choreography in the animation.
Arcaneseason 2 will be the last not because the series is canceled, but because the narrative arc of Vi and Jinx has reached its end (viaNetflix). With any luck,the success ofArcaneseason 2 will open the door for further spinoffs or prequelswithin the world ofArcane, as the series created a rich and diverse setting with many stories to be told. The warm critical and audience reception ofArcaneseason 1 puts pressure on the upcoming installment, but it’s unlikely that the series will falter in its final season.
Arcaneseason 2 will be released on Netflix on November 9th, 16th, and 23rd.
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Netflix’s Best Animated Fantasy TV Show With 100% On Rotten Tomatoes Deserved A Way Longer Run
Though Netflix has plenty of great animated series, its best is ending too soon despite its critical acclaim and strong audience reception.
Katherine Langford might be best known for her role as Hannah Baker in13 Reasons Why, but she took a step into the fantasy genre inCursed, the Netflix retelling of Arthurian legends.Langford plays Nimue, the Lady of the Lake,in the tales of King Arthur.Cursedintroduces Nimue and Arthur in a new way, making them equals and love interests in a quest to find Merlin. It can be difficult to take on the source material as famous as that of Camelot.
Retellings of classic stories through the lens of underrepresented female characters have become more popular in the fantasy sphere over the past few years.
However,Curseddoes a good job of differentiating itself by focusing on the Feyand the young Nimue. Canceled after just one season,Cursednever managed to find its footing or be taken seriously enough to justify its complex concept. Retellings of classic stories through the lens of underrepresented female characters have become more popular in the fantasy sphere over the past few years.Cursedfulfills this niche, and if it had come out today,Cursedmight have hit home with more viewers.
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Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone is a fantasy series set in a world divided by a barrier of darkness. Released on June 13, 2025, it follows a young soldier who discovers a unique power that could reunite her country amid a backdrop of scheming forces, including thugs, thieves, and assassins.
Netflix’sShadow and Bonecombined the storylines of Leigh Bardugo’s two book series,Shadow and BoneandSix of Crows,as they’re both set in the Grishaverse. The magic system inShadow and Bonepertains to the Grisha, a select group of people who can manipulate elements, with Alina Starvok (Jessie Mei Li) being the only Sun Summoner. It’s a gripping premise, and the show brings the visuals of Bardugo’s work to life well, balancing the mystery of Alina’s world with the action and thievery of Kaz (Freddy Carter) and the Crows.
Shadow and Bonewas canceled way before its time, as the series still had another book to chronicle and could have continued on with the Crows for much longer after that. Interest and love for the series haven’t wavered with the dedicated members of its fanbase.This leaves some hope thatShadow and Bone, or aSix of Crows, spinoff might return to Netflixin the future. Until then, seasons 1 and 2 are a great way to scratch the fantasy itch.
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A Discovery of Witches
Beginning in 2018, A Discovery of Witches is a Fantasy television series that ran for three seasons until 2022. The series stars Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode and revolves around a vampire and a witch that must work together to defeat all manner or magical creatures.
Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode bring to life the witch Diana and the vampire MatthewinA Discovery of Witches, the TV series based on Deborah Harkness’sAll Soulsbook trilogy.A Discovery of Witchesran for three seasons and was praised for the onscreen dynamic between Palmer and Goode, as well as the well-crafted premise. ThoughA Discovery of Witchesended after adapting all of its books, the story’s world left room for further plots and seasons of the show.
A Discovery of Witchesis a rare show that blends its fantasy elements with the stakes of the real world seamlessly.
There have been plenty of instances when a TV series extends beyond its source material, asThe Magiciansonly had three books in the trilogy, but the show went on for five seasons. The same could easily have been possible forA Discovery of Witches, asPalmer and Goode’s chemistry would have kept audiences coming back for more for a long time.A Discovery of Witchesis a rare show that blends its fantasy elements with the stakes of the real world seamlessly.
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My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane is a Prime Video original series created by Gemma Burgess. The story is a “what if” style story of English royal history where King Henry VIII’s son Edward, Lady Jane Grey, and her husband Guildford all survive their real-life deaths. In the retelling of history, Jane Grey takes center stage, becoming queen and immediately finding herself facing nefarious villains.
Judging by the outcry from fans and critics alike, there’s no question thatAmazon Prime cancelingMy Lady Janewas a mistake. Following the story of the novel of the same name,My Lady Janesaw Emily Bader play the titular Jane Grey in afantastical historical retelling of the fate of the real Jane Grey in Tudor England.Her love interest, Guildford Dudley, played by the charming Edward Bluemel, stands by her side as Jane ascends to the throne and must fight for what she believes in, no matter the cost.
Jane and Guildford are one of thebest couples in period romance TV shows, as they love and support each other. They depict a great example of a healthy relationship while incorporating the best and most steamy parts of the enemies-to-lovers trope. ThoughMy Lady Janeseason 1 left off with a conclusion that provides some satisfaction, it also left much open-endedand paved the way for many more seasons of excitement for Jane and Guildford as they work to change the country.
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My Lady Jane’s Perfect Replacement Is A 3-Season Fantasy Show Streaming On Netflix
Edward Bluemel appears in My Lady Jane and A Discovery of Witches, and his roles are strikingly similar. Both feature characters with secrets.
Penny Dreadful
Penny Dreadful is a gothic horror thriller series that follows characters forced to brave historic British literature creations in Victorian London. Centering on Vanessa Ives across the series, the show has Vanessa and her allies face-to-face with supernatural entities that will challenge their reality while dealing with their own personal demons.
Eva Green anchors the ghoulish dramaPenny Dreadful, which ran for only three seasonsdespite strong critical and audience acclaim. The second half ofPenny Dreadfulseason 3 made sure that there wasn’t much room for the series to continue into the future, but had some small changes been made, the viewer could have seen Vanessa Ives continue on her journey across the world.Penny Dreadfulonly touched upon the English monsters and legends in seasons 1 and 2, with some exploration of Indigenous American folklore in season 3.
Penny Dreadfulsuccessfully reinvented itself several times over its three seasons, and it would have been possible for it to do this yet again if given the opportunity.
Penny Dreadfulsuccessfully reinvented itself several times over its three seasons, and it would have been possible for it to do this yet again if given the opportunity. Overall,Penny Dreadful’s horror and supernatural elements meant the show didn’t connect with all viewers, but anyone could appreciate the way the series humanized the monsters of gothic literature and brought them to life with amazing visual effects and makeup. Whilethe show did receive a spinoff in 2018,Penny Dreadful: City of Angels,the series only ran for one season.
The followup to the iconic original movie, this TV show lived up to expectations
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is the long-awaited prequel to the 1982 film The Dark Crystal. In the Netflix original series, audiences return to Thra and follow three Gelfing, Rian, Deet, and Brea, who attempt to save their world after discovering the truth behind Skeksis' power. Despite fans' love for the franchise, Netflix canceled the series after one season.
A prequel to the beloved 1982 fantasy film,The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistancefurther explores the world of Thra and the Gelfings. Taking place before the Skeksis almost exterminated the Gelfings, the TV show is every bit as beautiful and magical as its predecessor,The Dark Crystal.The visuals were almost universally praised, as the series used new technologies to make the world even more realistic, but kept all the practical effects and the integrity of the puppets that madeThe Dark Crystalso iconic.
The show had big shoes to fill and high expectations upon its shoulders, asthe legacy ofThe Dark Crystalhas only grown and become more iconic in the canon of 1980s fantasy films.While it can be difficult to create a series when most audience members know how it will end,The Age of Resistancestill had some memorable moments and kept the viewer guessing. Though it was an expensive and time-consuming production, further seasons of the show would have been well worth it.
The Owl House
The Owl House is an animated fantasy series that follows Luz Noceda, a teenage human girl who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm. There, she befriends a rebellious witch named Eda and a tiny warrior named King. Determined to become a witch herself, Luz embarks on various adventures while learning about magic, friendship, and self-discovery. Created by Dana Terrace, the series debuted in 2020 on Disney Channel.
The world of the Boiling Isles might be more frightening than that of Earth, but fledgling witch Luz finds her sudden transportation there more exciting than alarming.The Owl Housewas frequently compared with other animated series likeShe-Ra and the Princess of Power,Steven Universe, andGravity Falls, but the series quickly distinguished itself as something new. Though it’s a children’s show,The Owl Housenever shied away from tackling adult themes and stories, taking its audience seriously.
The Owl Househas been praised for its commitment to displaying positive depictions of characters with LGBTQ+ identities and weaving queer relationships into the show.
The Owl Househas been praised for its commitment to displaying positive depictions of characters with LGBTQ+ identities and weaving queer relationships into the show.The romance between Luz and Amity is one of the most compelling of the show,and the budding connection between them is both realistic and relatable for a wide variety of audiences.The Owl Housewas canceled after season 3for many reasons, but the show’s short run doesn’t take away from its significant impact.
Pushing Daisies
Created by Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies stars Lee Pace as Ned, a baker who can inexplicably bring people back from the dead with just one touch. With the help of a private investigator and his previously deceased childhood girlfriend who he has rescued from death, Ned uses his ability to help solve murders. Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Chi McBride also star.
Before Lee Pace was the frightening Brother Day in Apple TV+‘sFoundation, he was the piemaker Ned inPushing Daisies, a mystery series with a fantastical twist.Ned is born with the ability to bring people back to life with one touch,but if he touches them a second time, they’re gone forever. The series kicks off with him bringing back his childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Anna Friel), and the pair teaming up with Emerson (Chi McBride) to solve murders for the reward.
The whimsical and surrealist tone and visuals ofPushing Daisiesmade it unlike anything else on TV,and the premise opened the door for many seasons of intrigue. Additionally, the forbidden romance between Ned and Chuck is sweet and tender, and the fact that they can never touch adds enduring conflict to every moment of the series. It’s almost universally agreed upon thatPushing Daisieshad plenty of additional seasons in it and that the series only would’ve kept getting better as a hallmark offantasyTV.
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