While the most popularfantasyTV shows of the past few years have been crossover hits, unlikely to be forgotten, this isn’t always the case with series within the genre. Like all shows,there are certain fantasy series that slipped under the radarand have been largely lost to time. Whether this was because they only ran for a few seasons or never found a strong audience base while they were airing, certain projects didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. However, revisiting them now, or discovering them for the first time, is an exciting prospect.
Theseforgotten fantasy TV shows deserve a second chance, as they stand apart from the typical offerings of contemporary fantasy. Many of these projects were more experimental or subversive, tackling myths and folklore instead of adapting book series, which is common practice today. Due to this, these series serve as a time capsule of whatever era they’re from, even if some of them didn’t come out too long ago. However, no matter what decade they’re from or what they’re about,it’s interesting to find new shows to get lost in.
Audiences outside of Australia and Canada might not be familiar with the 1999 showBeastMaster, which was developed from the 1982 movie of the same name. Set in a long-lost time when sorcery and magic were commonplace,BeastMasterfollows Daniel Goddard as Dar, the protagonist of the series,wandering the world after his tribe is killed. Animals and mythical creatures play a significant role inBeastMaster, as well as the tension of magic fading to make way for civilization.
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As the series progresses, Dar gains allies, forming the central group ofBeastMaster, who fight against the forces of evil. Following the monster-of-the-week format,BeastMasterran for three seasons and had a lot to say about philosophy and the treatment of others, even during its action-packed moments. Thoughthe market for fantasy TV shows was at a high in the late 1990s,BeastMasterdidn’t rise to the top of the list, quickly fading from the cultural memory.
BeastMaster (1999–2002)
6.2/10
Even thoughCarnivàlewas short-lived, it packed a lot of tension and world-building into its two seasons. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in the United States,Carnivàleintertwined its mythology with the stories of global religions and used the conceit of a traveling carnival to move the story forward.Carnivàlewas quickly hailed as a dark and gritty addition to the fantasy genre,concerning itself with the conflict between good and evil in every episode.
Carnivàle (2003–2005)
8.4/10
It might be surprising now, but whenCarnivàlewas airing, it was a draw for HBO during the early episodes and garnered several accolades. Particularly praised for the aesthetics and atmosphere of the physical production,Carnivàlewas extremely immersive for a fantasy show from the early 2000s.Carnivàlewasn’t afraid to lean into the heavy world-building and complex lorethat can sometimes alienate viewers. However, for those who are interested in high fantasy with period elements, it’s a great addition to the genre.
Every King Arthur movieand TV show takes a different approach to bringing theArthurianlegends to life. The 2011 seriesCamelotfeatures an all-star cast withJoseph Fiennes as Merlin, Eva Green as Morgan, and Jamie Campbell Bower as Arthur.InCamelot, the series primarily focuses on the conflict between Arthur and Morgan as they struggle for power over Camelot. ThoughCamelotpremiered at the same time as other iconic sword and sorcery epics likeGame of Thrones, it never took off in the same way.
ThoughCamelotwas a Starz production, it didn’t lean too heavily into the graphic and gory elements that other contemporary fantasy were using.
The more famous series about Arthur and Merlin’s early years,Merlin, began airing in 2008, and its success is likely part of the reason there wasn’t as much of a demand forCamelot. ThoughCamelotwas a Starz production, it didn’t lean too heavily into the graphic and gory elements that other contemporary fantasy were using. However,Camelotdoes justice to the legacy of King Arthur, and the cast’s chemistry is a great reason to watch the series.
6.5/10
One of thebest fantasy TV shows with one season,Curseduses elements of supernatural teen genres and classic magic tropes to craft an updated addition to the stories of King Arthur. Though Arthur does play a role inCursed,it’s Katherine Langford’s Nimue, the iconic Lady of the Lake, who becomes a symbol of revolution within the story.Devon Terrell plays Arthur, and the two pair up to take on his corrupt father, who’s targeting Nimue’s people, the Fae.
Curseddoes an excellent job of taking this ancient story and making it relevant and compelling for contemporary audiences. Sadly,Cursedis far from the only show Netflix has canceled after one season,even though the series had the potential to continue for many years. Langford rose to prominence in Netflix’sThirteen Reasons Why, but it was inCursedthat audiences witnessed a new side of her that was well-matched to the fantasy genre.
6/10
TheBBC miniseries based on Susanna Clarke’s fantasy novel of the same name,Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, was popular with British audiences but didn’t end up making a large international splash. Clarke is well-known for her contributions to the fantasy genre, including her recent workPiranesi.Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrellis a classic tale of magic and prophecy but with an adult edge and subversive sense of humor that will appeal to older audiences.
Using magic and historical fiction, the book and show blend the best of both genres for a unique atmosphere.
The title characters, played by Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan, have a dynamic chemistry that propels the story forward, making every scene they have together compelling. Though the series was always going to have only one installment, as the book has no sequels, it’s a shame audiences never got more stories within the world ofJonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Using magic and historical fiction, the book and show blend the best of both genres for a unique atmosphere.
8/10
5The Legend Of The Seeker (2008–2010)
Despite being produced by Sam Raimi, The Legend of the Seeker wasn’t a roaring success
Sam Raimi might be best known for hisSpider-Manmovies and theEvil Deadfranchise, but the filmmaker dipped his toe into fantasy, creating the 2008 TV showThe Legend of the Seeker. Raimi also worked on series likeXenaandHercules, which were massive successes (viaCollider).Based on the fantasy book seriesThe Sword of Truthby Terry Goodkind,The Legend of the Seekeris a very loose interpretation of Goodkind’s text, allowing the show to take dramatic liberties with the story.
The Legend of the Seeker (2008–2010)
7.6/10
However, changing a beloved book series for a screen adaptation is always a gamble, andThe Legend of the Seekeronly ended up running for two seasons. The visuals of the series are incredibly strong, with practical sets and wooded landscapes transporting the viewer directly into the action.Craig Horner and Bridget Regan led the cast as Richard and Kahlan,who carry much of the series' dramatic tension with their dynamic and action sequences.
Greek mythology has always been popular in media, andAtlantiswas a strong reimagining of many of these iconic myths. StarringJack Donnelly as a modern iteration of the legendary hero, Jason,Atlantisincluded figures of both Greek history and mythology alike, from Hercules to Pythagoras.Atlantisstood apart from other mythology shows as it began in the present-day, with Jason as a regular man who’s transported to the otherworldly Atlantis.
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Atlantistakes different Greek myths and stories and uses them as part of the monster-of-the-week format,with Jason usually playing the hero and saving the day. He’s a strong protagonist, as he’s familiar with our world and asks the right questions about Atlantis that are necessary for world-building. Though there was room for more episodes after the finale of season 2,Atlantisends on a strong note and delivers a satisfying conclusion for audiences.
ThoughThe Bastard Son & The Devil Himselfonly came out a few years ago, few fantasy fans and critics remember the TV show. Canceled after season 1,The Bastard Son & The Devil Himselfis a great addition to the canon of magical stories about witches, with Jay Lycurgo anchoring the narrative as Nathan. Alongside Nathan, the audience learns of a hidden world of sorcery that Nathan’s always been connected to but never discovered until now.
Unfortunately, he’s the son of a notoriously dangerous witch, and once the magical world acknowledges his existence, it isn’t to invite Nathan to join their ranks. Throughout the season, Nathan faces many thrilling and gory challenges, amassing allies like Annalise (Nadia Parkes) and Gabriel (Emilien Vekemans) in his quest to find himself. Based on the YA novelHalf Bad,The Bastard Son & The Devil Himselftakes the best of teen dramas and imbues it with just the right amount of magic.
7.5/10
A supernatural spy story with an intricate mystery box
The Rook
The Rook is a supernatural thriller centered on a young woman who, having lost her memory, must navigate a world of intrigue and danger to reclaim her role in a secretive British agency. Released in 2019, the series explores themes of identity and betrayal amid a backdrop of mysterious powers.
Emma Greenwell is Myfanwy Thomas, a young woman who the audience follows throughoutRookas she attempts to piece her memory back together. It doesn’t take long for her to discover that she can tap into powers other people only dream about and thatshe is part of Checquy, a secret agency full of mystical beings like her.However, Myfanwy’s memory has been wiped, and it’s clear that someone out there doesn’t want her to reveal their secrets.
Based on the novel by Daniel O’Malley,The Rookbalances elements of the espionage genre with Myfanwy’s personal struggles and her attempts to navigate the hidden world around her.
Like any fantasy show that includes a mystery box, there are many convoluted plot points and misdirects to lead the audience and Myfanwy off course. It’s a dark series that consistently puts Myfanwy in dangerous situations, forcing her to fight tooth and nail to survive. Based on the novel by Daniel O’Malley,The Rookbalances elements of the espionage genre with Myfanwy’s personal struggles and her attempts to navigate the hidden world around her.
6.8/10
Though Zooey Deschanel was already a star in the making in 2007 whenTin Manpremiered, the miniseries came out before her iconic performances in500 Days of SummerandNew Girl. Though audiences are used to seeing Deschanel in projects rooted in reality, she makes a believable Dorothy in the steampunk take onThe Wizard of Oz,Tin Man.It’s darker and more gritty than any other adaptationof L. Frank Baum’s work.Tin Manisn’t afraid to lean into the dystopian side of fantasy.
Tin Man (2007)
7/10
Overall,Tin Manreceived a positive critical and audience reception but has fallen out of favor in recent years as Deschanel’s more prominent works have risen to fame. However, there’s something compelling about this offbeatfantasyseries, with strong visuals and a cohesive style that give the show an edge. Introducing elements of sci-fi and plenty of violence and gore,Tin Manis ripe for a resurgence in popularity, especially after the attention surroundingWicked.
