Fantasy may have taken over television after Game of Thrones, but there are plenty of lesser-known gems that deserve more love. The genre is broad, and great series showcasing everything from dragons to vampires have taken the world by storm at one point or another… or should have.
HBO’s True Blood proved that fantasy could captivate the prestige TV audience, while Netflix series like The Witcher showed that book or graphic novel adaptations can hold their own on the screen in a post-Game of Thrones market. The beauty of fantasy television is that every story offers its own unique world and take on the genre. The ones that do it well deserve their own place in the conversation.
Preacher
Based on the DC Vertigo graphic novel series of the same name, Preacher blends unexpected fantasy elements in a completely one-of-a-kind way. The story launches when Genesis, the illicit child of an angel and a demon, hurtles into con-man-turned-preacher Jesse Custer. As host of the entity, he’s empowered with The Word — the ability to force anyone to do anything he wants by simply commanding it.
Preacher is, at its core, a buddy road story of the highest stakes. After learning that God has forsaken His post in Heaven and is now loose somewhere on Earth, Custer (with Genesis inside him) heads out on a mission to find Him — along with his true love Tulip, and best friend/Irish vampire Cassidy.
Along the way, the trio is pursued by evil entities sent from Hell, angels anxious to retake Genesis, and an ancient organization that has managed to preserve the lineage of Jesus Christ. The show takes a moment to find its footing (as does the first graphic novel installment), and a warning is warranted for its obscenity, but once it hits its stride, there’s nothing out there like Preacher.
It’s also worth noting that Seth Rogen is one of the TV series creators.
The Magicians
The Magicians, an adaptation of a trilogy of novels, manages to wrap an enviable young adult fantasy universe and raw, mature, real-world emotion into one successful package. The series captures a quintessential youth daydream when protagonist Quentin Coldwater learns that Fillory, the magical world from his favorite books is real.
It then promptly dashes the dream and creates a much more adult story by revealing that Fillory is ripe with dangers caused by down-to-earth political and historical conflicts. While the TV series made some departures from the books, it ultimately maintained the tone and core themes that allowed it to ring true to its source material.
The Magicians, largely considered a fantasy masterpiece, earned a reputation for doling out equal doses of fantastic whimsy and darker, more adult emotional struggles and trauma. This gives the show a sticky, wide appeal, drawing in a younger audience and holding onto them into adulthood.
Similar things could be said about CW giant Supernatural, so it makes sense that Sera Gamble, who wrote, executive produced, and showran parts of that series, is one of the creators who led The Magicians through a strong 5 seasons.
Warrior Nun
With a title that might draw comparisons to Preacher, Warrior Nun proves how deeply individual a strong fantasy series can be. The short-lived Netflix series creates an important underdog hero through the origin story of its protagonist, Ava Silva.
19-year-old Ava, who has been a quadriplegic orphan, abused by her guardians from the age of 7, wakes up in a morgue with new abilities courtesy of the divine halo embedded in her back. This comes with new demon-fighting obligations and enemies courtesy of Ava’s new association with the Order of the Cruciform Sword, but also gives her an exciting new lease on life.
While Warrior Nun can admittedly get bogged down with heavy-handed management of its dense plot, it shines through its unique and well-paced fight choreography and exploration of religious themes. In both regards, the show makes good on the promise of its title- the intersection of fantastic action in a religious setting.
As it has gained a reputation for doing, Netflix cancelled Warrior Nun after two seasons, despite its cult following. In 2023, it was reported that Warrior Nun was to be revived in a trilogy of feature films. However, the project doesn’t seem to have advanced, and its current status is unknown.
Medium
This network procedural that premiered 20 years ago is actually still as good as the prestige shows on cable or streaming today. Based (believe it or not) on real-life medium Allison DuBois, Patricia Arquette plays a fictional crime-solving psychic of the same name.
Medium shines through its refusal to shy away from either harshness or nuance. It can be genuinely scary- its eerie title sequence is chilling on its own- yet Allison maintains a doggedly open mind, refusing to accept the easy answer, and often finding innocence and heart where fear once was.
Allison’s work talking to ghosts as a consultant for the Phoenix district attorney’s office is intercut with her home life with her husband Joe, who is a delight, and their three daughters, who all eventually prove to have Allison’s ability.
Medium’s venturing into the personal is a unique strength for the show’s time and format. Many network procedurals stay strictly in the world of the action, not taking the time to develop their characters on a deeper level. This sets Medium apart from other network fantasy shows, even the likes of The X-Files.
