Game of Thrones was quite the cultural phenomenon. Running from 2011 to 2019, this massive series, based on the novels by George R. R. Martin, became one of the most successful TV series of all time. It kick-started a huge wave of fantasy television, which persists to this day, and earned numerous awards. The show was so popular that the finale became a monumental cultural event, with many unrelated corporations jumping in on the trending topic.

It’s unlikely TV will see an event like Game of Thrones for a long time. Perhaps predictably, many other fantasy shows attempted to capitalize on its success by coming out at around the same time. This had varying degrees of quality and success. Many of them were good, but remained underrated, swept under the shadow of Thrones and never getting the attention they deserved. These are the best fantasy TV shows that were overshadowed by Game of Thrones.

6

‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)

Image via Starz

American Gods came out right as Game of Thrones was reaching its penultimate season, but even this was enough to hinder its development and popularity a bit. This low-fantasy series features a hidden world where gods and magic are real. The original gods, called the Old Gods, are at serious risk due to the rising threat of what they call “New Gods.” These include things like technology, which are beginning to gain influence with the people of the world, and are almost being worshipped. This causes the Old Gods to gradually lose their powers and their place in the world.

To combat their waning influence, the Old Gods plan to unite themselves and go to war against the New Gods to restore the balance of power. The series actually received two Emmy nominations, though it was sadly snubbed in both. Other than that, critical reception has been nothing but positive. Yet, it remained thoroughly underrated for the majority of its run. This could be because it came out right at the end of Thrones, which is when it was experiencing its highest viewership, so American Gods wasn’t really able to live up to the high demands. Eventually, it was canceled after three seasons. Though it managed to last two years longer than Game of Thrones, the damage had already been done, and it lacked the numbers it desperately needed from the start.

5

‘Da Vinci’s Demons’ (2013–2015)

Image via Starz

Da Vinci’s Demons is a low fantasy series set during the Italian Renaissance. A lot of historical figures, including Leonardo da Vinci (Tom Riley) himself, make appearances, albeit with a much more fantastical twist. Primarily, Da Vinci worked with the House of Medici, an influential and historical Italian family that was one of the major political players in the Republic of Florence. Da Vinci, regarded as an eccentric kook, actually works behind the scenes to uproot spies hidden in the politics of the realm, especially those from the rival Houses of Borgia and Pazzi.

However, the fantasy aspect comes into play when Da Vinci uncovers a cult known as the Sons of Mithras, which opens the door for supernatural visions, magical tomes that contain all the knowledge in the universe, and mythological figures made flesh. It’s a lot lighter on the fantasy elements than Thrones, but it did bear a lot of distinct similarities. Namely, it featured a lot of political intrigue and feuding royal houses, so there wasn’t a whole lot that the show could offer to people who were already into Game of Thrones. As such, this fantastic show was canceled after three seasons.

4

‘Grimm’ (2011–2017)

Image Via NBC

Grimm is a series about a homicide detective who learns his family comes from a long line of professional monster hunters called Grimms. Their sole purpose is to guard the world of humanity from the Wesen, which is an umbrella term for any mythological creature or fantastical beast. He takes on this new role, doing battle with various creatures from folklore and mythology. It’s interesting because it blends a police procedural with elements of fantasy and horror.

Grimm is probably the only series on this list that never actually got canceled, which is surprising considering it debuted the same year as Game of Thrones. Although this is probably due to it being for a vastly different audience, reminiscent of ’90s and 2000s low fantasy shows that used the “monster of the week” format. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Supernatural. Despite this major difference, it still never got the popularity it really deserved. Maybe this is because it was too similar to other series, maybe it was because Thrones was hanging over it like a dark cloud, but either way, it’s highly underrated.

3

‘Galavant’ (2015–2016)

Image via ABC Studios

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Galavant is actually a really unique experience as far as fantasy television goes. For one, it’s not an epic drama or action/adventure series; rather, it’s a musical romantic comedy series. The story is reminiscent of classic fairytales, following a brave knight in shining armor who seeks to rescue the princess, the love of his life, from the clutches of an evil king. It’s actually more mature than it lets on, making it perfect for adult fans of Disney princess movies or fairytales. Scattered throughout the episodes are grand musical numbers performed by an expert cast, which are genuinely so much fun to watch.

The worst part about the show was its timing. 2015 and 2016 were when Game of Thrones Seasons 5 and 6 were being released, which is when the scale really ramps up beyond what the show had seen before. Galavant just didn’t have the same level of scale, so it never really stood a chance against the cultural behemoth that Thrones was. While Galavant is a great show that critics and audiences loved, and while it was a breath of fresh air in the 2010s fantasy boom, it just wasn’t popular enough to break free of its boundaries, which led to a prompt cancellation at the end of its second season.

2

‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)

Image via SYFY

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The Magicians is about an aspiring student who attends a prestigious university to learn how to be a magician. During his studies, though, he finds out that magic is absolutely real, as is the world from his favorite childhood book, and he is now part of this hidden, magical world. Unfortunately for him, it’s in a spot of peril right now, and he has to join the fight to save it. Thrown into the deep end, the protagonists must learn how to control and master their supernatural abilities in order to keep their world hidden and prevent its inevitable destruction.

The Magicians is a fantasy series that has been sadly forgotten and was underrated from the start. Like many of the other shows on this list, The Magicians was canceled, although this one lasted longer than some of the others. Besides the fact that even though it did get canceled, it still received a final season and a proper conclusion, so at least the story had a chance to wrap things up rather than being left high and dry. Five seasons are pretty impressive for a show that came out right in the thick of Game of Thrones hype, although it’s still waiting for its much-deserved turn in the spotlight.

1

‘The Shannara Chronicles’ (2016–2017)

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The Shannara Chronicles is based on the popular series of novels of the same name by Terry Brooks. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth, thousands of years in the future, to the point that the world barely resembles our own. The story is about a magical tree called the Ellcrys, which is beginning to die. As a result, the enchantment on the tree is weakening, allowing demons who were previously banished from the world to return. To save the world, three adolescents team up with the last living druid to restore the tree and banish the demons back to the realm known as the Forbidding.

Since it was based on a beloved novel series and was coming out during the fantasy TV boom, one would think that it was playing its cards perfectly, right? Unfortunately, while it should have been a massive success, the overall influence of Game of Thrones was still too much for it, which led to Shannara‘s premature cancellation after just two seasons. While it may not have followed the books to a T, it was met with critical praise and overall satisfaction. Unfortunately, it just didn’t pull in the numbers it needed to justify its multi-million dollar budget. It could have been great, but it was a tragic case of being released at the wrong time.

For actress Maya Hawke, the term “you can always come back home” is more than a popular phrase.

“I just got myself a home a couple of blocks away from my mom,” the actress, 27, revealed to People in an interview published on Sunday, July 5. “I’m so excited to finally be able to put some roots down.”

Maya is the daughter of famed actors Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. The pair, who wed in 1998 before ultimately calling it quits in 2005, also share son Levon Hawke. (Hawke, 55, went on to marry wife Ryan Hawke in 2008 and welcomed two more children, while Thurman, 56, shares daughter Luna with ex Arpad Busson.)

The Stranger Things star’s new abode, located in upstate New York, has made it that much more pleasant for the actress to work on her latest project, The God of the Woods, a TV adaptation of Liz Moore’s 2024 novel of the same name.

“It shoots in the town that I grew up in,” Hawke explained. “I am so excited to be at home doing a job I love and care about, so I’m not in that panic spiral of being home and being like, ‘When will I ever work again?’ Usually it’s like, you’re home, and you’re panicked about whether you’ll ever work again, or you’re not home, and you’re working and you miss home.”

She continued, “I feel like I have the best summer of my life going on, where I get to experience neither thing at the same time.”

Maya, who married Christian Lee Hutson in a surprise Valentine’s Day wedding ceremony in New York City, has been candid about her close relationship with her mom — and vice versa.

“What isn’t a mother-daughter bond?” Thurman told People back in 2023 of their relationship. “Good communication. That is a big challenge, to make sure we keep communication healthy, strong and open with your family.”

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Related: Ethan Hawke Opens Up About His Sweet Bond With Daughter Maya

Her biggest fan! Ethan Hawke opened up about supporting his 20-year-old daughter, Maya, whom he shares with ex-wife Uma Thurman. The Oscar winner, 43, exclusively told Us Weekly at the recent New York Film Critics Circle Awards that he only offers Maya advice “if she asks.” However, “If she doesn’t ask,” he said, “then you’re […]

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Maya, for her part, told the outlet at the time that her parents’ decision to read to her at a young age contributed to their tight-knit bond.

“Being read to is so important for kids. I’ve now supplemented it with audiobooks in my adult life because it made such an impact on me,” she explained. “I have a learning disability and I didn’t do so well in school and was slow to read. So being read to changed my ability to comprehend language and changed my life.”

She continued, “I really hope that every child gets that opportunity.”

Whew, Roomies… the internet stays in a chokehold when it comes to conversations around music, lyrics, and accountability. And this time, it’s got India Arie and Yung Miami right at the center of the discourse. What started as a critique of one track quickly turned into a full-blown social media debate with both fanbases chiming in heavy.

Taylor Swift’s onetime music video director, Joseph Kahn, is setting the record straight after viral images claimed to offer the first glimpse inside the pop star’s star-studded wedding to her now-husband, Travis Kelce.

“Every picture I’ve seen of the wedding is fake,” Kahn, 53, wrote via X on Saturday, July 4. “Trust me, AI would break if you tried to prompt it.”

Swift and Kelce, both 36, said “I do” inside New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden arena on Friday, July 3, though any images of the venue decor have been under lock-and-key.

Despite the apparent phone-free mandate, a handful of blurry, AI-generated images circulated on social media on Friday, in which Swift and Kelce appeared to mingle with guests during their big day.

Kahn, who directed eight of Swift’s music videos, was among the near-1,000 attendees on hand at MSG to toast the couple’s marriage.

“Had a wonderful time at Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce’s wedding last night,” he wrote via Instagram on Saturday, recapping the evening. “I got to meet Steven Spielberg and the lovely Kate Capshaw and talk filmmaking with the GOAT (lifelong dream achieved). What I will say about the wedding was it was so much funnier and emotional than expected, and as big as it was, it also felt very intimate. And yes, literally everyone was there.”

He continued at the time, “It was like living in the internet, and AI would crack if it tried to render it. Anyway congratulations Taylor and Travis! Wishing your beautiful family and future family endless happiness!”

Swift and Kelce, for their part, have seldom detailed any aspects of their garden party nuptials. Their union was instead announced with a “JUST&T Married” billboard outside of MSG and a press release shared by the Grammy winner’s publicist.

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“The bride and groom’s wedding ceremony looks have been created by Christian Dior Haute Couture. They are designed by Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Dior Women’s, Men’s and Haute Couture Collections, in close collaboration with the bride and groom,” the statement read. “This is the designer’s first couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity. [Both of] their shoes were custom made by Christian Louboutin and the bride wore Cartier jewelry.”

The press release continued, “Her brother, Austin Swift, served as Taylor’s ‘Man of Honor’ and Jason Kelce was Travis’ Best Man. The ceremony joined both families together and was officiated by friend Adam Sandler.”

Taylor and Travis have been together since 2023, getting engaged two years later in August 2025.