It’s not always clear why onefantasyTV show is popular while another one fails to capture the attention of audiences. However, the most popular additions to the genre in recent years have all been crossover hits that connect with viewers who would typically tune into speculative fiction, as well as a variety of other audiences. These new viewers found themselves drawn into the intricate world-building and storytelling of these projects. Since fantasy has been gaining traction with wider audiences,it’s high time that overlooked and forgotten series are brought backto the forefront of the conversation.
While there are somefantasy TV shows that continued for too many seasons, these overlooked series were typically cut short. However, even those who had years of success haven’t enjoyed the same legacy as the fantastical projects that will be remembered for years to come.There are many reasons why these shows have been largely forgotten,whether it was a lack of a stronger audience base while they were airing or cost too much to produce. Whatever the cause, it doesn’t change the fact that these shows are iconic and should be recognized for their contributions to fantasy.
Carnivale
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Carnivàle is a television series set during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, exploring the lives of diverse individuals. The narrative intertwines themes of good versus evil and free will versus destiny, integrating elements of Christian theology, gnosticism, and Masonic lore, notably the Knights Templar.
There are plenty of familiar faces inCarnivále, a Great Depression-era fantasy period piecethat is a precursor to recent works of television likeAmerican Horror StoryorPenny Dreadful. Touching upon different religions, occultism, and infusing plenty of Gothic influences,Carniváleutilized the darker, desolate, and bleak aspects of this part of history to make the fantasy elements seem all the more outlandish and frightening. However, this is what sets the series apart and makes it memorable since it eschews the classic sword and sorcery parts of fantasy.
Each part of the story, from the character development to the overarching plot, was slowly and deliberately revealed to the audience, never giving anything away too soon.
Carniváleis afantasy TV show that had huge potentialbut was canceled after the first two seasons.It’s likely thatCarniválewould perform better todayand be an answer to the many high fantasy TV shows that are airing on a variety of streaming services. Each part of the story, from the character development to the overarching plot, was slowly and deliberately revealed to the audience, never giving anything away too soon. There’s an argument to be made thatCarniválewould be a great candidate for a series to reboot, giving it a second life.
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The Storyteller
The Storyteller is a television series created by Jim Henson that blends live action and puppetry to present classic European folk tales. Starring John Hurt as The Storyteller, each episode features a different tale, narrated by The Storyteller and his talking dog, bringing to life ancient stories with timeless themes.
Also stylized asJim Henson’s The Storyteller,this criminally underrated series blends the Henson Company’s characteristically beautifully realized puppetry with live-actionacting to bring classic folklore to life. John Hurt plays the titular Storyteller who narrates the obscure European legends thatThe Storytellerbrought to life. There was a brief spinoff series,The Storyteller: Greek Myths, which aired in 1991, that followed the same format but with Greek legends. However, for audiences looking to enter a never-before-seen world, the original is the best place to start.
Hurt was the perfect choice to play the Storyteller, as his voice, demeanor, and wisdom all combine to draw the viewer in and encourage them to curl up alongside the dark and compelling tales. Though meant for audiences of all ages,The Storytellerdidn’t shy away from grappling with more serious and dark legendsthat don’t always end with a classic happily-ever-after. However, this is part of why it’s so compelling to watchThe Storytellertoday and why the narratives it presents have stood the test of time.
Galavant
Galavant is a musical comedy television series that follows the adventures of the eponymous knight as he attempts to reclaim his reputation and his love, Madalena, from the villainous King Richard. Created by Dan Fogelman, the show combines elements of fantasy and musical theater, featuring a blend of humor, romance, and catchy songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.
A raunchy comedy series with musical numbers thrown in,Galavanthasn’t received the credit and fame it deservesas a whip-smart addition to the genre. Following the misadventure of Sir Galavant, the show is unafraid to throw every possible medieval fantasy plot and folklore into the story, allowing for many references to great movies, TV shows, and works of literature. The series also boasts original musical numbers written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, resulting in high-quality songs that juxtapose the silly tone.
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Timothy Omundson, well known for his work in the beloved mystery comedy seriesPsych, lends his talents toGalavantalongside Joshua Sasse as the titular Sir Galavant. However, the supporting cast is just as talented, with Karen David and Luke Youngblood both anchoring the narrative with a respite from the misguided bravery and self-importance that gets Sir Galavant into trouble. Alsofeaturing iconic cameos from actors and musicians alike,Galavantisn’t afraid to lean into the campy side of fantasy,which modern series could do with a little more of.
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Misfits
Misfits is a British comedy-drama sci-fi series that blends science fiction with dark comedy. It is centered around five young offenders who gain supernatural abilities after a bizarre electrical storm. Set during their community service, the show explores how each character deals with their newfound powers, shining a light on the darker sides of having special abilities.
The British sci-fi fantasy seriesMisfitsis a cult classic with audiences who have been longtime fans of Robert Sheehan, who rose to prominence thanks toThe Umbrella Academy. Similarly to the American TV seriesHeroes,the characters inMisfitsstart developing incredible superpowersin an interrogative twist on the superhero genre. It’s made even more compelling by the fact that all the powered people are teens grappling with their own insecurities and issues, coloring their judgment and the way they use their new skills.
ThoughMisfitshas long been recognized for its effective blend of humor and drama in the U.K., international audiences aren’t as familiar with the project, and this is a shame.Running for five seasons,Misfitshas plenty of drama and intrigue to keep viewers interested with every installmentand has amazing potential for viewers looking for a new sci-fi fantasy show with a bit of an edge. While the comedy and subject matter can be mature, this is part of the charm ofMisfits.
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Cursed
Based on the upcoming book of the same name, Cursed is a re-imagining of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a teenage heroine with a mysterious gift destined to become the influential Lady of the Lake. After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, a young mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. Throughout her journey, Nimue becomes a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins and their complicit King Uther.
An updated and character-driven addition to the canon ofArthurianTV showsand movies,Cursedfeatures the perspectives of the Druid people. Katherine Langford, known for her work in13 Reasons Why, stars as Nimue, the Fey featured heavily in the stories surrounding King Arthur’s rise to power. However, this version of the tale sees Nimue and her people attempting to combat the destruction of their lands and traditions at the hands of a corrupt king and serves as a coming-of-age tale for the young Nimue.
The tight and innovative narrative is worth revisiting, as it reframes the traditional narrative in a fresh and relevant way.
Many viewers and critics wonderedwhy Netflix canceledCursedafter one season, but unfortunately, it fell victim to the same fate as many promising series before it.Since its viewership didn’t live up to the cost of production,Cursedwas axed,and viewers will have to return to the single season multiple times to remember the story. However, the tight and innovative narrative is worth revisiting, as it reframes the traditional narrative in a fresh and relevant way.
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The Shannara Chronicles
The Shannara Chronicles is a television adaptation of Terry Brooks’ Shannara series, set in a post-apocalyptic world where three teens named Wil, Amberle, and Eretria embark on a quest to stop a demon army from destroying the Four Lands. With a mix of magic and adventure, the series explores themes of friendship, destiny, and the constant battle between good and evil.
Before he was transforming himself into iconic characters like Elvis inElvisand Feyd-Rautha inDune: Part Two, Austin Butler was transitioning out of his child actor roots with his starring role inThe Shannara Chronicles. Surprisingly, the series didn’t take off in popularity, as the past few years have seen a rise in the popularity of fantasy TV shows based on books. Despite this, the fact thatThe Shannara Chronicleswas based onThe Sword of Shannaratrilogy by Terry Brooks didn’t help it make a major impact on audiences.
Filled with iconic sword and sorcery elements and a strong coming-of-age narrative,The Shannara Chroniclescould have been teen fantasy TV shows. For viewers ready to dip their toes into fantasy but don’t want an epic saga on the scale ofGame of ThronesorThe Wheel of Time,The Shannara Chroniclesis a great place to start. Butler is joined by a strong cast of young actors who give their all to the quest that the protagonist, Will (Butler), is sent on to prevent the end of the world.
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Schmigadoon!
A couple on a backpacking trip stumbles upon a magical town where life is a perpetual musical from the 1940s. As they interact with quirky residents and navigate spontaneous song-and-dance numbers, they must rediscover their love to escape the whimsical, tune-filled world.
Despite its amazing quality, stellar performances, and incredible musical numbers,Schmigadoon!was always going to be a tough sell for a wide variety of audiences. Musicals aren’t for everybody, but for those who enjoy stories that poke fun at the happy-go-lucky themes of musical theater while also paying tribute to the craft,Schmigadoon!is the perfect series. With a pair of protagonists who are as shocked to find themselves in a musical world as any audience member would be,the show is surprisingly accessible.
With an incredible cast led by Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key,Schmigadoon!will soon be considered a cult classic.
Unfortunately, there are only two seasons ofSchmigadoon!to enjoy, butthe series effectively raised the stakes and kept the story fresh with its second outing.Luckily, there’s aSchmigadoon!stage musical set to premiere at the Kennedy Center in 2025 (viaDeadline). This will likely appeal to the dedicated fan base who have been withSchmigadoon!since the beginning. With an incredible cast led by Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key,Schmigadoon!will soon be considered a cult classic.
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Carnival Row
Carnival Row is a fantasy crime-drama based on the story A killing on Carnival Row by Travis Beacham. A string of murders on Carnival Row — an area of Victorian London where creatures, including faeries, who have fled their homelands after being invaded by humans now live — draw the attention of Detective Rycroft Philostrate. Despite rising tensions between the mythical creatures and humans, Rycroft reunites with Vignette, a faerie refugee with whom he was once involved romantically. Together, they work to solve the mystery of the monster who is killing those throughout Carnival Row before it’s too late.
Discrimination, immigration, and cultural clashes are explored through Amazon Prime’s lesser-known fantasy seriesCarnival Row.Starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne,Carnival Rowis one of the many magical shows that Prime has produced in the past few years, cementing the streamer as the home of some of thebest fantasy TV shows of the 2020s. However,Carnival Rowis often overlooked within this conversation, which might be because of the series' steampunk influences.
Though steampunk is an interesting and vibrant aesthetic, its heyday was closer to the late 2000s and early 2010s, puttingCarnival Rowa little behind the times.The series' premise revolves around the discrimination faced by the magical races, like faeries and fauns,at the hands of humans and how their communities suffer from acts of violence and crime at disproportionate rates. WhileCarnival Rowmight have received a mixed critical reception, it pushed itself to grapple with serious subject matter and consistently provides beautiful visuals.
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Sense8
Created by the Wachowski sisters, Sense8 features an ensemble cast playing eight different people from around the world, who discover that they are suddenly mentally linked with one another and begin experiencing each other’s lives and feelings. As the sensates begin to get to know each other, they must face a growing threat to all their lives by using their newfound empathic powers to their advantage.
The Wachowski Sisters lend their typical visionary storytelling abilities to the short-lived but beloved fantasy seriesSense8. It’s a show that might have been remembered as perfect if it hadn’t been canceled by Netflix after its second season. Through its unforgettable premise,Sense8brings together people from all corners of the world and connects them with a psychic link.This link imbues them with power and knowledge they never had before and leads to emotionally raw realization and confrontations.
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Despite its significant budget and epic scale,Sense8went under the radar for many viewers and was quickly forgotten after the series finale.However, just because the show has a limited number of episodes doesn’t mean they aren’t worth watching. Witnessing the eight protagonists and members of the psychic cluster grow, change, and come into their own throughout the story is an incredibly moving experience. With gorgeous onsite locations and cleverly utilized practical effects,Sense8makes the viewers feel as though they’re just as connected with the characters as they are with each other.
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Grimm
Detective Nick Burkhardt discovers he’s a Grimm, a guardian tasked with keeping the balance between humanity and mythological creatures. As he navigates his new role, he battles dangerous Wesen while uncovering secrets about his ancestors. With the help of allies, Nick confronts dark forces threatening both worlds.
ThoughGrimmcould easily fall into the category of supernatural procedural, the series is much more than that. Tying into the legacy of the Brothers Grimm, the famous storytelling duo who are credited with recording some of the most iconic fairy tales of all time,Grimmsees its hero battle the forces of evil and darkness through the role of a detective. David Giuntoli plays Nick, the police officer who discovered himself to be a titular Grimm, a person capable of seeing the creatures and monsters of legend and tasked with stopping them.
One of the issues that has preventedGrimmfrom being better remembered is the fact that it’s so similar to otherfantasyseries that performed better.Once Upon A Timealso grapples with folktales and legends but has the added edge of having access to the fairy tale IP that Disney owns. However, it would be a mistake to say thatGrimmis merely a copy of its influences. Living up to its name,Grimmleans into the dark and dangerous aspects of its premiseand is a worthy interrogation of the crime procedural format.
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