House of the Dragon is finally here to redeem Game of Thrones from its terrible ending and it seems that it has been successful so far. The prequel series to the critically acclaimed Game of Thrones premiered on HBO Max on August 21 and as expected the fans of the original series rallied to see the series it seems like House of the Dragon might be a new start for our love for the world of Game of Thrones.
Based on George R.R. Martin‘s book Fire & Blood, the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon will revolve around the House of Targaryen, and it takes place 200 years before the events that transpired in the Game of Thrones series. House of the Dragon stars Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otta Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, and Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole.
House of the Dragon recently aired its Season 1 finale and if you have already binged the whole first season here are some more shows to keep you busy until Season 2 comes out.
The Tudors (Paramount+ & Showtime)
If you love the politics in House of the Dragons, you might want to take a look at The Tudors, as the series follows the same theme of finding a successor with Henry VIII. While The Tudors is based on real-life events from England’s history it does take some wild creative liberties with the characters and their relationships. The series shows Henry VIII’s endless search for the right wife to bear the heir who will take over his throne after him. While we do know that eventually Queen Elizabeth I will take over the throne the story before that is bloody, manipulative, and dare I say steamy. The series stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII and he is the highlight of the series without any doubt.
Rome (HBO Max)
Rome is another one of HBO’s most underrated series that deals with the same kind of politics and backstabbing as many of these kinds of shows are based on. Rome ran for two seasons on HBO and the first season of the series follows the famous Julius Caesar and his journey from general to “dictator for life” and his eventual demise on the Ides of March. The second season follows the clash between Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, and Caesar’s nephew Augustus in order to take control. These events eventually set the stage for the future empire of Rome.
While Rome dealt with these big events that ultimately changed the world forever, it really benefitted by showing many characters coming from every rank and social hierarchy which allowed the viewers to feel what it was really like to live in Rome in those times. Rome follows Rome officer Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) who definitely carries the brunt of the series as a loyal soldier who has to keep his loyalty to the country as well as whoever the new tyrant who has taken power now.
Also Read: Shows Like ‘Vikings’ To Watch If You Miss The Series
Vikings (Hulu, Peacock & Prime Video)
Vikings are the first scripted series from the History Channel and it is definitely one of the best series you will ever have the fortune to see. Vikings has six seasons in total and if you love all the blood and gore that is a big part of the history as well as many historical shows, Vikings is perfect for you. The series follows the sagas of Ragnar Lothbrok, who is a legendary figure in the Norse poetries.
Vikings stars the Australian actor Travis Fimmel as Ragnar, and he gives the performance of a lifetime and makes the character of Ragnar a must-see in this larger-than-life story. While Vikings don’t have any kind of fantasy element to it, the series is best in its episodes when the power-hungry people are betraying each other for control. Vikings also employes multiple time-jumps to great effect and eventually we see Ragnar’s sons as they do everything they can to take over their father’s kingdom and live up to his legacy. If you like Vikings and want to see more Netflix also has a spin-off series titled Vikings: Valhalla which is set over 100 years after the original series.
Also Read: Fantasy Shows Like ‘The Wheel of Time’ To Watch While Waiting For Season 2
The Wheel of Time (Prime Video)
The Wheel of Time is a fantasy series in a very straightforward way. The Amazon Prime series is based on Robert Jordan’s novel of the same name and it follows Moiraine Damodred who is part of an ancient order that can channel the one power that can defeat the big bad called the Dark One. But to use that power there has to be a chosen one Damodred is trying everything she can to try and find the chosen one.
The Wheel of Time stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, Daniel Henney as al’Lan Mandragoran, Josha Stradowski as Rand al’Thor, Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybare, Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al’Meara, Barney Harris as Mat Cauthon, Madeleine Madden as Egwene al’Vere, Michael McElhatton as Tam al’Thor, and Álvaro Morte as Logain Ablar, as well as Maria Doyle Kennedy, Priyanka Bose, Daryl McCormack, Sophie Okonedo, Clare Perkins, and Kae Alexander. The first two episodes of the series will be directed by Uta Briesewitz (Westworld).
Also Read: Shows Like ‘His Dark Materials’ To Watch If You Miss the Series
His Dark Materials (HBO Max)
His Dark Materials is based on a novel of the same name and the HBO and BBC series became a huge hit in its first season. The series expanded its brilliant story in Season 2 and now has been renewed for a third season. His Dark Materials stars the likes of James McAvoy, Dafne Keen, and Ruth Wilson. The series follows Lyra in a world where everyone is born with a literal spirit animal known as a Daemon. Lyra finds out that she is destined for greatness after discovering her real ancestry.
Also Read: Shows Like ‘Succession’ to Watch While Waiting For Season 4
Succession (HBO Max)
Succession is currently the best series on television right now and there is no doubt about that while there are no dragons or mystical elements in the series, the politics and backstabbing nature of the characters in the series definitely don’t need any kind of help to make Succession a must watch. The HBO series follows the rich and spoiled Roy family which includes Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong), Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook), Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin), and the head of the family and the vast media company Logan Roy (Brian Cox). The series follows the same kind of story of succession as we have seen many times before but the characters in the series are what makes this backstabbing and ruthless family fun and a must-watch for anyone who likes shows such as Game of Thrones, and House of the Dragon.
Also Read: Sci-Fi Shows Like ‘Foundation’ To Watch While Waiting For Season 2
Foundation (Apple TV+)
David S. Goyer’s Apple TV+ series Foundation is a sci-fi story based on the novels by Isaac Asimov. Foundation tells the story of a Galactic Empire as big as the entire Milky Way, which is one the verge of collapse. In order to battle that, a rogue scientist devises a way to preserve the knowledge of humanity’s collective wisdom by creating “foundations” so that he can save humanity from its destruction. Foundation has greatly benefitted from the marvelous cast of the series which is headlined by Jared Harris and Lee Pace. While the series still hasn’t made a big name for itself because it is an Apple TV+ series, which is fairly new in the streaming world. But Foundation still has a chance as it has been renewed for a second season.
Also Read: Shows Like ‘The Last Kingdom’ To Watch If You Miss the Series
The Last Kingdom (Netflix)
The Last Kingdom is another of brilliant historical series. The show is a historical fiction drama loosely based on the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon). The series is set in the early medieval history when Vikings were plundering English settlements, and that’s when our young protagonist is faced with life-changing truth that becomes an existential crisis for him and it tests his loyalties to everyone and everything he cares about. The Last Kingdom is inspired by Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories series of novels. The series has a beautiful style of visual storytelling between all of its gore and well-executed war sequences. The Last Kingdom aired on BBC Two for its first two seasons and then it was acquired by Netflix for seasons three to five.
Also Read: Fantasy Shows Like ‘The Witcher’ You Can Watch While Waiting For Season 3
The Witcher (Netflix)
Netflix’s dark fantasy series The Witcher has proven to be a big hit for the streaming service. After a successful Season 2, the fantasy series has been renewed for Season 3 as well as another prequel miniseries titled The Witcher: Blood Origin coming to the streamer this year. The series follows Geralt of Rivia aka The Witcher (Henry Cavill), who is a mutant superpowered human he works as a monster hunter, while also taking care of Ciri (Freya Allan), a princess who is tied to him by the law of surprise. The series also follows Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), who is one of the most powerful sorceresses in The Witcher universe.
Also Read: Gritty Shows Like ‘Peaky Blinders’ To Watch If You Miss the Series
Peaky Blinders (Netflix)
Peaky Blinders is one of the most nuanced and violent stories about power and the people who crave it. The BBC series follows the story of the Shelby family as they rise to power in England. The series is set immediately after the First World War and it starts out with the Shelby family running their somewhat illegal business in Birmingham. Peaky Blinders tells its stories in a way that will make you feel for the most wretched characters ever put to screen. The BBC series really gains from the brilliant ensemble cast headlined by Cillian Murphy who plays the role of the head of the family Thomas Shelby. Peaky Blinders finished its recently with its sixth and final season but for the fans it’s not the end yet as the series has been renewed for a movie, which will see the return of Thomas Shelby.
