Fantasy TV Series You Are Sleeping On (But Shouldn’t)

There are so many fantasy shows out there that it is easy to miss the gems that quietly built rich worlds, memorable characters, and inventive lore. This list pulls together series that delivered ambitious stories, strong casts, and imaginative settings, yet often slipped past the larger spotlight.

Each pick includes quick context on what the show is about, who made it, who stars in it, where it ran, and other details that help you decide what to try next. No fluff, just useful information to get you started.

‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)

This BBC One series reimagines Arthurian legend from the viewpoint of a young warlock hiding his gifts in Camelot. It stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Arthur, Katie McGrath as Morgana, and Angel Coulby as Guinevere, with Anthony Head and Richard Wilson in key roles. The show was created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps, and Julian Murphy and filmed largely in Wales and France, including Pierrefonds Castle for Camelot. It ran for five series with a total of sixty five episodes.

The production emphasizes episodic quests that feed into a larger destiny arc involving prophecy, court politics, and magical threats. Family friendly adventure sits alongside darker mythology, and recurring creatures were brought to life through a mix of practical work and visual effects. The score by Rob Lane and a rotating team of composers gives the show a sweeping feel and the structure steadily builds toward a decisive finale.

‘Grimm’ (2011–2017)

This NBC drama blends police procedural storytelling with folklore, following detective Nick Burkhardt as he learns he is a Grimm who can see the Wesen living among humans. David Giuntoli leads a cast that includes Bitsie Tulloch, Russell Hornsby, Silas Weir Mitchell, Sasha Roiz, Reggie Lee, and Bree Turner. The series was created by Stephen Carpenter, David Greenwalt, and Jim Kouf and filmed primarily in Portland, Oregon. It spans six seasons and one hundred twenty three episodes.

The show uses case of the week investigations to introduce new creatures while expanding an international conspiracy around ancient royal families and magical artifacts. Practical makeup effects define the Wesen designs, and the writers developed a detailed taxonomy with Germanic terms and cultural rules. The ensemble grows into a tight found family, and the mythology pays off through multi season arcs that reward full run viewing.

‘Being Human’ (2008–2013)

The original UK version on BBC Three follows a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost sharing a house in Bristol. Created by Toby Whithouse, it stars Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey, and Lenora Crichlow in early series with Damien Molony and Michael Socha joining later. The production mixes location filming with intimate interiors and focuses on character driven supernatural drama. The show delivered five series with evolving lineups and story arcs.

Monster rules, rival factions, and ethical questions drive plots about control, addiction, and community. Standalone stories sit next to wider conflicts involving secret organizations and ancient creatures. The tone shifts from dark humor to intense suspense as the flatmates navigate ordinary jobs, relationships, and the risks of exposure. A North American remake exists, but this version establishes the template and completes its narrative on its own terms.

‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)

Based on the novels by Lev Grossman, this Syfy series follows Brakebills University students who discover that magic is real and dangerously unpredictable. Jason Ralph, Stella Maeve, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Hale Appleman, Arjun Gupta, and Summer Bishil headline the ensemble. Sera Gamble and John McNamara developed the adaptation with stylized production design that shifts between campus life, New York City locations, and the fantasy realm of Fillory. It runs for five seasons with tightly connected arcs.

Ritual based spellcasting, a living library, and quest structures anchor the worldbuilding, while the writers incorporate heists, musical interludes, and bottle episodes to explore themes of power and consequence. Recurring antagonists and gods complicate alliances, and the series builds a consistent rule set for magic with costs and limitations. The catalog of spells and the sigil system give the show a distinctive identity within urban fantasy.

‘A Discovery of Witches’ (2018–2022)

Adapted from Deborah Harkness’s All Souls novels, this Sky One series centers on historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode lead a cast that includes Edward Bluemel, Alex Kingston, and Valarie Pettiford. Produced by Bad Wolf, the show uses Oxford, Venice, and Welsh locations to stage a story about forbidden archives, ancient covenants, and a manuscript that everyone wants. It spans three seasons that complete the trilogy.

Alchemy, clan politics, and academic research inform the magic system, and laboratory scenes ground the supernatural with genetics and bloodline studies. Historical flashbacks widen the scope to different eras and continents, while present day plots follow rival creature factions and human institutions. The series balances intimate relationships with investigations that push toward a definitive conclusion.

‘Carnival Row’ (2019–2023)

This Prime Video series builds a neo Victorian city where humans and immigrant fae struggle under strict laws and simmering tensions. Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne star alongside Tamzin Merchant, Jared Harris, and David Gyasi. Created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria, the production uses large Prague backlots and detailed costumes to immerse viewers in a noir mystery and political allegory. The show runs two seasons that resolve its central conflicts.

Worldbuilding features multiple fae species, distinct homelands, and new religions shaped by diaspora. Serial murder investigations drive the first season while uprisings and governance shape the second. The prop design includes period appropriate weaponry and press machinery, and constructed languages and customs give the fae communities depth. The narrative tracks migration, law enforcement, journalism, and war through connected plotlines.

‘Legend of the Seeker’ (2008–2010)

Developed by Sam Raimi from Terry Goodkind’s novels, this syndicated fantasy adventure follows woods guide Richard Cypher, Confessor Kahlan Amnell, and wizard Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander. Craig Horner, Bridget Regan, and Bruce Spence lead the cast with Tabrett Bethell joining in later episodes. Filmed in New Zealand, the production delivers sweeping landscapes and practical stunt work across two seasons.

The series introduces magical artifacts such as the Sword of Truth and the Boxes of Orden, while Confessor powers and wizard rules shape character choices. Episodic quests mix with season long battles against tyrants and sorcerers. Choreography emphasizes blade combat, and recurring guest roles build a traveling companion network that supports the heroes through changing frontiers.

‘The Shannara Chronicles’ (2016–2017)

Adapted from Terry Brooks’s books, this series follows a half elf and a princess as they try to prevent the return of demon forces. Austin Butler, Poppy Drayton, Ivana Baquero, and Manu Bennett star, with Jonathan Liebesman directing early episodes. The production filmed in New Zealand and debuted on MTV before moving to a different network for its second season. It delivers two seasons that trace connected quests.

Four Lands geography combines ruined modern remnants with classic fantasy nations. The show features druid magic, forbidden bloodlines, and a codex of rituals and guardians. Set pieces include forest temples, wasteland caravans, and fortified cities, while the soundtrack leans into contemporary beats during travel and training sequences. The costume and prop teams establish distinct cultural identities for each clan.

‘Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell’ (2015)

This BBC One miniseries adapts Susanna Clarke’s novel about the return of English magic during the Napoleonic era. Eddie Marsan and Bertie Carvel play rival magicians under the direction of Toby Haynes, with a supporting cast that includes Charlotte Riley and Enzo Cilenti. The production blends location work across the UK and Europe with period interiors and practical illusions. It tells a complete story across seven episodes.

The series details grimoires, fairy bargains, and scholarly societies, supported by a glossary of spells and historical footnotes brought to life on screen. Political and military advisors rely on magical tactics, while the Gentleman with the Thistle Down Hair becomes a central antagonist. Attention to dialect, etiquette, and printing culture enriches the world, and the visual effects focus on weather, stone, and shadow.

‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ (2019)

This Netflix prequel returns to the world of Thra with a full scale puppet ensemble from The Jim Henson Company. The voice cast includes Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor Joy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jason Isaacs, and Mark Hamill, with Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews as creators. The series uses handcrafted sets, animatronics, and limited digital augmentation to honor the original film’s look. It presents a complete arc in ten episodes.

Lore centers on the Gelfling clans, the Skeksis court, and the Crystal of Truth, with a map, myths, and songs that detail geography and culture. Creature shop innovation supports complex action scenes, and the cinematography treats puppets like live actors with naturalistic lighting and movement. The score by Daniel Pemberton and Samuel Sim expands musical motifs associated with each faction.

‘Wynonna Earp’ (2016–2021)

Based on Beau Smith’s comic, this series follows the great great granddaughter of a famous lawman as she returns to a cursed town to send revenants back to where they came from. Melanie Scrofano leads alongside Tim Rozon, Dominique Provost Chalkley, and Katherine Barrell. Showrunner Emily Andras steers a blend of monster hunting, small town politics, and family legacy across four seasons on Syfy and Canadian partners.

Revenant rules, a demon ledger, and a mystic revolver establish clear mechanics for conflicts. The show invests in law enforcement procedures, homestead security, and border town economies to ground its supernatural stakes. Recurring villains and allies return across seasons, and the production makes consistent use of Alberta locations for wide open landscapes and frontier architecture.

‘Penny Dreadful’ (2014–2016)

Created by John Logan for Showtime and Sky Atlantic, this gothic drama intertwines classic literary figures in Victorian London. Eva Green, Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Rory Kinnear, and Billie Piper lead the cast. The series uses Dublin stages and European locations for grand interiors, gaslit streets, and crypts. It completes its narrative over three seasons with focused character arcs.

Occult orders, spiritualist séances, and folkloric monsters drive plots that intersect with medical science and exploration. The production team emphasizes practical makeup and wardrobe to root the supernatural in period detail. Original characters connect the public domain icons, and the writing threads theological questions through investigations, duels, and expeditions.

‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)

Adapted from Neil Gaiman’s novel, this Starz series follows ex con Shadow Moon as he is drawn into a conflict between old gods and new. Ricky Whittle and Ian McShane headline with Yetide Badaki, Emily Browning, and Orlando Jones in notable roles. The production is known for stylized set pieces and anthology style storytelling within an ongoing road narrative. It spans three seasons with changing creative leadership.

Episodes introduce deities through origin vignettes, while present day plots center on recruitment, belief, and identity. Visual metaphors and bottle episodes explore immigration, media, and technology. The show’s structure allows guest arcs to intersect with the main cast in diners, motels, and waystations, and the prop work builds a traveling reliquary of talismans and offerings.

‘The Librarians’ (2014–2018)

Spinning out of the ‘The Librarian’ TV films, this TNT series follows a team safeguarding magical artifacts and knowledge. Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane, Lindy Booth, John Kim, and John Larroquette star, with Noah Wyle recurring. Created by John Rogers and produced by Dean Devlin, it mixes caper storytelling with museum lore and global myths. The show runs four seasons with case of the week adventures.

Artifact mechanics, warded annexes, and problem solving puzzles define mission structure. Guest directors play with genre homages, including fairy tales, noir, and time travel puzzles. Fight choreography emphasizes improvised tools from library stacks and maintenance closets. The tone remains light while threading serialized antagonist plots that test the team’s guardianship.

‘The Outpost’ (2018–2021)

This fantasy adventure on The CW follows Talon, the last of a race known as Blackbloods, as she seeks answers about her past and a demonic invasion. Jessica Green leads a cast that includes Jake Stormoen, Imogen Waterhouse, and Anand Desai Barochia. Created by Kynan Griffin and Jason Faller and produced by Electric Entertainment, the series filmed in Utah and later Europe. It completed four seasons with expanding world maps and factions.

Magic summoning, sigils, and a political struggle for control of a frontier stronghold drive the plot. Practical sets emphasize taverns, ramparts, and marketplaces, while visual effects handle creature work and portals. Rotating villains and shifting alliances keep the status of the stronghold in flux, and the show steadily increases the scale from local skirmishes to wider conflicts.

‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)

This Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse follows a mapmaker who discovers rare abilities in a nation divided by a monstrous barrier. Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes, Archie Renaux, Amita Suman, and Freddy Carter lead the ensemble. Showrunner Eric Heisserer combines stories from multiple books and builds a coherent timeline for the main cast. The series delivers two seasons with defined arcs.

The magic system classifies Grisha into orders with uniforms, ranks, and specialized training, and the production gives each order a distinct combat style. Political intrigue, smuggling operations, and military strategy shape the action across capitals, ports, and deserts. Costumes draw from Slavic and Central Asian influences to set the look of courts and street crews, and the score underscores each faction’s identity.

‘Locke & Key’ (2020–2022)

Based on the comics by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez, this Netflix series follows the Locke siblings as they discover keys that unlock strange powers in their ancestral home. The cast includes Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, and Darby Stanchfield, with Aaron Ashmore and Laysla De Oliveira in major roles. Carlton Cuse and Meredith Averill serve as showrunners, and production made extensive use of Ontario locations and sets. The show runs three seasons with an ending that closes its main story.

Key lore defines rules for memory, identity, and travel, and each new discovery reshapes family dynamics and school life. Antagonists pursue the keys through infiltration, manipulation, and direct confrontation. Visual effects integrate with practical key props and a detailed house interior that functions as a character in its own right. Standalone mysteries link into a broader mythology involving past generations.

‘Good Omens’ (2019–2023)

This Prime Video series adapts the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett about an angel and a demon who enjoy life on Earth a bit too much. Michael Sheen and David Tennant star with Jon Hamm, Frances McDormand as the voice of a key character, and a rotating ensemble. Neil Gaiman serves as showrunner with Douglas Mackinnon directing many episodes. The production balances modern London settings with storybook sequences.

Prophecies, misplaced children, and occult societies drive the first arc, while later episodes explore side quests and long standing relationships among celestial beings. The humor sits alongside discussions of free will, and the show uses practical sets, classic cars, and layered costumes to define its two leads. The structure supports anthology touches that feed back into the main plot.

‘Sleepy Hollow’ (2013–2017)

This Fox series brings Ichabod Crane into the present as he partners with a modern detective to stop apocalyptic forces. Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie lead a cast that includes Lyndie Greenwood, Orlando Jones, and John Noble. Created by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Phillip Iscove, and Len Wiseman, it blends Revolutionary era history with contemporary police work across four seasons.

The mythology incorporates colonial relics, secret societies, and biblical motifs, with a case of the week format that builds toward larger threats. The production uses North Carolina and Georgia locations for small town ambiance and sprawling forests. Practical creature effects sit alongside digital enhancements, and the series maintains a consistent inventory of relics with specific uses and costs.

‘Midnight, Texas’ (2017–2018)

Adapted from Charlaine Harris’s books, this NBC series follows a medium who relocates to a town full of supernatural residents. François Arnaud stars with Dylan Bruce, Parisa Fitz Henley, Arielle Kebbel, and Peter Mensah. Developed by Monica Owusu Breen, the show mixes creature of the week plots with a found family of neighbors running local businesses. It aired for two seasons with serialized arcs.

Town rules, protective wards, and small business fronts form the backbone of the setting, and practical sets include a pawn shop, a church, and a diner that doubles as a meeting place for alliances. Conflicts involve witchcraft, angels, and demons, with clear mechanics for each faction. The series keeps a tight geography that lets recurring locations evolve as threats rise.

‘The Almighty Johnsons’ (2011–2013)

This New Zealand series on TV3 follows a family of men who are reincarnations of Norse gods living in the modern world. Emmett Skilton leads with Tim Balme, Dean O’Gorman, and Jared Turner. Created by James Griffin and Rachel Lang, the show uses Auckland locations and a grounded tone to explore mythological powers within everyday situations. It ran for three seasons and cultivated a dedicated local and international audience.

The rules of deification, quests, and power transfers structure each season’s goals. Rival goddesses, prophecy puzzles, and family obligations create ongoing complications. The show balances relationship drama with supernatural interventions and uses practical effects to suggest divine influence without overwhelming the contemporary setting. Cultural references and local humor give the series a distinct voice.

‘Atlantis’ (2013–2015)

From the producers of ‘Merlin’, this BBC One adventure relocates a young hero to a realm of Greek myth. Jack Donnelly stars with Mark Addy, Robert Emms, Aiysha Hart, and Sarah Parish. Created by Johnny Capps, Julian Murphy, and Howard Overman, the show blends classical legends with new characters and filmed across UK locations and Mediterranean styled sets. It ran for two series with connected arcs.

The series organizes stories around palace intrigue, monster encounters, and labyrinth quests. Weapons training, oracle visions, and rival city states create stakes beyond single episodes. The production team uses practical creature suits and stunt work in combination with effects, and the score and costume design distinguish royal courts from street life and mercenary camps.

‘The Order’ (2019–2020)

This Netflix series follows a university student who joins a secret society that teaches magic and clashes with a hidden werewolf cabal. Jake Manley and Sarah Grey star with Adam DiMarco, Katharine Isabelle, and Matt Frewer. Created by Dennis Heaton, the show was produced by Nomadic Pictures with campus locations in Canada. It ran for two seasons that build a continuing conflict among rival groups.

Spellbooks, golems, and memory wipes structure the magic system, while university life provides a steady stream of initiation trials and class obligations. Humor and body horror sit side by side in episodes that escalate from prank wars to all out magical confrontations. The series maintains clear rules for artifacts and introduces consequences that carry into later episodes.

‘The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself’ (2022)

Adapted from Sally Green’s ‘Half Bad’ novels, this Netflix series follows Nathan, the son of a notorious witch, as he navigates factions that fear his potential. Jay Lycurgo leads a cast that includes Nadia Parkes, Emilien Vekemans, and Paul Ready. Created by Joe Barton, it travels across European locations and uses practical effects for visceral magic sequences. The single season tells a complete arc while leaving room for further stories.

The worldbuilding defines Fairborn and Blood witch communities with councils, rules, and coming of age rituals. Power transfers, familiar spirits, and rare abilities guide the action, while training montages and road sequences map alliances and betrayals. Music and editing emphasize urgency during fights and escapes, and the production favors grounded choreography over large scale spectacle.

‘The Secret Circle’ (2011–2012)

Developed by Kevin Williamson and Andrew Miller from L. J. Smith’s novels, this The CW series follows high school students who discover they are hereditary witches. Britt Robertson headlines with Phoebe Tonkin, Shelley Hennig, and Thomas Dekker. The show uses Pacific Northwest settings and classroom dynamics to mix coven politics with teen life. It ran for one season and completed a central storyline while setting up further arcs.

Magic binds, planetary alignments, and family grimoires drive episodes about power sharing and trust. Adult characters add a second layer of intrigue with competing agendas tied to past tragedies. The production uses practical effects for smaller spells and digital work for elemental set pieces, and the wardrobe team differentiates coven members through subtle color motifs and accessories.

‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)

This ABC series weaves fairy tale characters into a modern town where memories and identities have been cursed. Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, and Robert Carlyle lead a large ensemble with recurring guest stars. Created by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, it filmed in British Columbia and ran for seven seasons with multiple story arcs. The structure alternates between present day Storybrooke and fairy tale flashbacks.

Magic comes from deals, artifacts, and learned spells, and the rules govern who can wield power and at what cost. The show uses recognizable tales and reframes them into new relationships, shifting loyalties as curses break and return. Production design includes iconic props such as a storybook and a dagger that carry plot weight across seasons. The series maintains a family adventure tone while handling complex timelines.

‘Legend of the Seeker’ (2008–2010)

This entry highlights key details for potential viewers who want a fast sense of scope and craft. The series adapts epic fantasy novels, features a traveling trio with distinct abilities, and sets its action against verdant landscapes and mountain passes. It offers two seasons of serialized quests with a clear inventory of magical items and rules that guide spell use.

Production choices lean into practical swordplay, creature makeup, and dramatic lighting for night raids and cave scenes. Supporting characters rotate through villages and fortresses, and the show often uses real locations for exterior shots to keep battles grounded. The musical themes recur alongside the heroes’ victories and setbacks, helping stitch together the journey from episode to episode.

‘The OA’ (2016–2019)

This Netflix original blends fantasy and metaphysical mystery as a young woman returns after a long disappearance with new abilities and a mission. Brit Marling stars alongside Jason Isaacs, Emory Cohen, and a community ensemble. Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, the show uses suburban spaces, schools, and stark interiors to frame an intimate story with cosmic stakes. It unfolds over two parts with intersecting narratives.

The series introduces a layered mythology involving movements, dimensions, and storytelling circles. The production emphasizes choreography, sound design, and minimalist effects to build tension and wonder. Characters share and interpret narratives within the narrative, and the structure invites close attention to symbols, drawings, and recurring objects that carry meaning across episodes.

‘The Frankenstein Chronicles’ (2015–2017)

This period drama reframes Mary Shelley’s themes within a procedural that follows a river police inspector drawn into occult experiments. Sean Bean leads a cast that includes Richie Campbell, Tom Ward, and Anna Maxwell Martin. The series was produced for ITV Encore with moody London docklands, courtrooms, and laboratories built on sets and locations. It runs for two seasons with linked cases.

Alchemy, grave robbing, and early medical practice shape the investigative framework. The show threads legal reforms, press coverage, and church politics into its plotlines to situate the supernatural within societal change. Practical prosthetics and restrained effects present the uncanny in grounded ways, and historical detail extends to printing, textiles, and lighting that define class and profession.

‘Camelot’ (2011)

This Starz drama presents a gritty take on Arthurian succession with a focus on rival claims and court strategy. Jamie Campbell Bower and Joseph Fiennes lead with Eva Green and Tamsin Egerton in key roles. The series filmed in Ireland with coastal fortifications and stone interiors that sell a lived in world. It delivers a single season that tells a complete conflict.

Power struggles hinge on lineage, alliances, and the control of sacred objects. Merlin’s approach to magic emphasizes knowledge, influence, and calculated risks rather than spectacle. The production builds feasts, councils, and battles with attention to logistics, and the soundtrack leans on choral and percussive elements to underscore oaths and confrontations.

‘Lost Girl’ (2010–2015)

This Canadian series on Showcase follows Bo, a succubus who learns she belongs to a hidden Fae community divided into Light and Dark. Anna Silk stars with Ksenia Solo, Kris Holden Ried, Zoie Palmer, and Rick Howland. Created by Michelle Lovretta, the show films in Toronto and uses urban locations for clubs, warehouses, and safe houses. It spans five seasons with monster of the week plots and serialized arcs.

The Fae world has written laws, neutral zones, and a council that enforces balance, and the writers catalog species with distinct powers and appetites. Investigations pull in human clients and supernatural politics, and the team relies on folklore research, negotiation, and occasional brute force to resolve conflicts. Practical effects, creature makeup, and a steady rotation of myth creatures keep the setting varied.

‘The Rook’ (2019)

This Starz series adapts Daniel O’Malley’s novel about a woman with amnesia who discovers she holds a high rank within a secret agency that manages people with unusual abilities. Emma Greenwell stars alongside Joely Richardson and Olivia Munn. Developed by several writers across its run, the production films in London and emphasizes contemporary espionage visuals. It completes its story across a single season.

The agency structure includes classifications, containment procedures, and internal oversight that frame the abilities as a national security concern. Field operations, surveillance, and internal power plays drive the plot, while the protagonist decodes letters and evidence she left for herself. The show keeps its effects grounded, focusing on tactical use of powers within urban environments.

Share the fantasy series you think more people should discover in the comments.