Entertainment
5 Low Fantasy TV Shows Where Every Episode Is a Masterpiece
Low fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy which refers to stories that have real-world settings. What this means is that the plot is set on the same planet we call home, albeit in an alternate version of it, one where magic and monsters exist and intersect with everyday life. It differs from high fantasy, as high fantasy is about worlds that are completely invented, thus allowing more creative freedom.
Low fantasy isn’t quite as common for this reason, but it’s still been done. It’s pretty prominent in the world of television, especially since these shows offer versions of Earth that are far more interesting than the one we live in. With themes ranging from hidden pantheons of deities, magic, vampires, and an outbreak of the undead, they can be pretty varied. However, there is one thing they all have in common: there isn’t a single bad episode.
‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)
American Gods is based on a 2001 novel by Neil Gaiman, who surprisingly wasn’t as involved in this show as he could’ve been. Maybe that was the right choice though, because the show did pretty well for itself in the critical department. The story is about a recently-widowed man named Shadow (Ricky Whittle) who is offered a job by a mysterious individual named Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane). Not knowing what he’s getting into, Shadow agrees, serving as a chauffeur for some of the United States’ most prominent figures. These aren’t politicians or celebrities, but literal gods. They live beneath the surface of the world, and are under the threat of what they call “New Gods.”
These New Gods are abstract concepts that humans are beginning to worship, such as Technology (Bruce Langley) and Media (Gillian Anderson), threatening the existence of the Old Gods. The Old Gods derive their power from the number of followers they have, so if they lose their following, they could cease to exist. The pantheon of gods present in the show is a little disjointed, with some coming from Norse mythology and others being ripped straight out of West African, Arabian, and Egyptian mythos. This might not make sense at first glance, but it really adds a lot to the world, especially since there is a whole unique pantheon of gods that’s basically a mishmash of other cultures. In any event, the show did not deserve its premature cancellation. It is absolutely phenomenal, with each episode only adding to the fascinating world that the author created.
‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)
The Magicians is based on the novel trilogy of the same name by Lev Grossman, which is about a young man who attends a prestigious university to study magic. What he discovers there, however, is that not only is magic real, but so is the world from his favorite childhood storybook. More still, that world is in serious jeopardy, and is more dangerous than he ever could have imagined. Naturally, it falls to him to save it.
For a low fantasy series, the show has a pretty fleshed-out magic system, which isn’t always common in the subgenre. Deviating a bit from the source material, magic is drawn from a far-off anomaly in the universe known as the Wellspring. Once magical energy is collected, a spell can be cast. This requires a mix of dexterity, mental fortitude, and intelligence. First, the magician must speak the incantation in a language that no longer exists, usually Old Slavonic or Latin. Then, they must perform an intricate and complicated hand gesture to seal the deal. This is obviously no easy feat when under pressure, which makes it even more impressive to watch. While the show did get cancelled, at least it was given an extra season to wrap things up, meaning nothing is left unanswered or up for debate. Truth be told, its cancellation was likely due to low viewership rather than quality, because every episode of this series is seriously amazing. It’s a fresh take on classic fantasy tropes and a stellar adaptation that no fantasy fan will want to miss.
‘Kingdom’ (2019–2021)
Kingdom is a criminally-underrated South Korean Netflix series based on a webtoon-turned-graphic novel. The story is set in the historic kingdom of Joseon at the turn of the 17th century, shortly after the Imjin War between the Koreans and the Japanese. The king has married a new wife from the power-hungry Haewon Cho Clan, with his wife expecting a child. This would give the Haewon Cho a claim to the throne once they have an heir. However, the adult prince from the king’s previous relationship stands in their way. This is made even worse when the king dies of smallpox, and the Haewon Cho have no heir to place on the throne. To maintain their claim, they use a mythical resurrection plant to bring the king back from the dead, accidentally unleashing a zombie horde in the process.
These zombies are not your ordinary army of undead. For one, they are only active at night. During the day, they look like regular corpses, only hunting when the sun goes down. They are also faster, stronger, and more supernatural than your typical zombies from fiction. While the show was a huge hit with critics, it never really took off. Though Netflix has yet to officially announce its cancellation, no new content since 2021 means that it’s unlikely it will ever return. Still, the two seasons and special prequel episode we got are insanely awesome. It’s got political intrigue, feuding royals, and an army of the undead. What’s not to love?
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)
What We Do in the Shadows is based on a 2014 movie of the same name by Taika Waititi. The premise concerns a group of four vampire roommates living in Staten Island, New York, and how their blood-sucking lifestyles clash with the modern world. The show was created by Jermaine Clement, who also co-created the film, and is actually the second spin-off TV series based on the movie. It is, however, unquestionably the best one.
It’s got a little bit of everything for everyone. Obviously, since it’s about vampires, it has elements of horror in it, even though it isn’t a traditionally scary show. The horror elements become stronger when the vampiric roommates encounter other paranormal beings around New York. It’s also got a ton of comedy woven into it, with the show being filmed in a mockumentary style. Many of the punchlines are gallows humor more than anything, but this is a signature part of Waititi’s style, and is faithful to the original film. Of course, it also leans heavily into fantasy. The presence of magical creatures creates a secret world where people’s worst nightmares and elements of European Gothic folklore come to life. This show is full of catchphrases, dark comedy, and individuality. There’s just nothing else like it, which is probably why it lasted six seasons before coming to a close. Surprisingly, it didn’t overstay its welcome, as every single episode is a solid ten out of ten.
‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ (2023–Present)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is based on the critically-acclaimed YA novel series by Rick Riordan. This is the second attempt at an adaptation following a disastrous movie in the early 2010s, which somehow got a sequel. The movies were far from faithful to the source material, and earned the ire of fans. The show has been much better received so far. Not only is it more faithful, but Riordan had a heavier hand in its production, meaning it is more in line with the author’s vision that the films were.
The story is about Percy (Walker Scobell), a troubled youth who discovers he is the son of a Greek god. Not only are the Greek gods real, but so are all the monsters from Greek mythology, some of whom are out hunting for him. He is whisked away to Camp Half-Blood, a secluded resort where Percy and other demigods learn to hone their talents and abilities, and how to survive in this hidden and dangerous world. The show includes much of the signature wit that the movies were sorely missing, and features confrontations with some of the most memorable beasts and beings from Greek myth. It’s been a massive success, and with two seasons thus far, there haven’t really been any episodes that have missed the mark. The best part is that it’s perfect for both older kids and adults, making it accessible, adventurous, and enjoyable no matter your age.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- Release Date
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December 19, 2023
- Network
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Disney+
- Showrunner
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Jonathan E. Steinberg, Dan Shotz
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Walker Scobell
Percy Jackson
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Leah Sava Jeffries
Annabeth Chase
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