In a medieval mood?
Set in the aftermath of the Templar Knights' fall from grace, it follows their quest to recover the Holy Grail and regain their former glory, exploring themes of faith, power, and betrayal. It's a little over the top, but a great romp.
| © History
A retelling of the Arthurian legends, focusing on the young wizard Merlin as he serves as the mentor to the future King Arthur, navigating magical challenges and political rivalries. It had a smaller budget than most other shows on the list, and this makes the "magic" a little laughable at times, but otherwise a top show.
| © BBC
This show gets a lot of hate from fans of the books, and rightly so. It deviates from the original plot and substantively changes a number of characters. But if you haven't read the book, or you're prepared to take the show on its own terms, then you should enjoy what The Wheel of Time has to offer.
| © Amazon
A fantastic show that's doing something revolutionary, it's an adaption of Critical Role's first Dungeons & Dragons campaign. If you don't know what that means, don't worry about it, just do yourself a favor and watch the first episode.
| © Amazon
Like Merlin, this show also suffers from being on a tighter, BBC budget. But, it's a great retelling of the medieval hero: Robin Hood. And the supporting cast are every bit as lovable as you would hope.
| © BBC
Another controversial suggestion, however, we think The Rings of Power got better and better as the season progressed (here's our review). It definitely struggled in the opening few episodes to set up the world and the ongoing conflict with Morgoth, and their portrayal of Galadriel is bizarre (prepare yourself for a galloping along the beach scene that looks like a shampoo ad), but it achieves the difficult (and expensive) task of presenting a world that feels like Middle Earth.
| © Amazon
As a Game of Thrones fan who became disillusioned with the show when it began to involve a lot less intrigue and court politics, House of the Dragon felt like a breath of fresh air. It captures everything that made the first season of GoT so brilliant, albeit with a slightly weaker cast and script.
| © HBO
Yes, yes, The Witcher will be terrible without Henry Cavil. But, we will always have the first season, and the first season is enough to justify The Witcher appearing on this list. It might be a touch too heavy-handed with the CGI for some, but most fantasy fans will get a hell of a lot out of those first episodes.
| © Netflix
Based on Bernard Cornwell's novels, The Last Kingdom follows the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman who is captured and raised by Vikings, as he seeks to reclaim his birthright amidst the turmoil of 9th-century England. There are countless shows that have tried to capture this pivotal moment in medieval history, but none have pulled it off quite like The Last Kingdom.
| © BBC / Netflix
This is our self-indulgent pick, but frankly, it's not that absurd to give Redwall a place on the list. This show is based, of course, on the legendary series of children's novels by Brian Jacques, in which anthropomorphic animals inhabit a world of heroism, friendship, and adventure, as they defend their abbey against the forces of evil (rats). For cozy fantasy, look no further.
| © Teletoon
Obviously. And before you say it, yes, we agree that the ending was a disaster. The creators were bored with the project and were clearly rushing to the finish line. But that terrible ending shouldn't diminish how amazing this show was for so long. Who can forget The Battle of Blackwater or The Red Wedding? This is the kind of show that pushed the whole medium forward, and for that it deserves first place.
| © HBO
Step into the realm of fantasy and medieval. Journey through the corridors of time and imagination as we showcase the intricate tapestries of legendary knights, mythical creatures, and epic quests. From the grandeur of castles to the enchantment of magical forests, let your senses be transported to realms both wondrous and perilous!
