15 Best TV Series Like The Wheel of Time (Epic Fantasy TV Shows)

On November 19, 2021, Amazon Prime Video debuted ‘The Wheel of Time’, transforming Robert Jordan’s extensive book series into a popular show now in its third season. In fact, before it even premiered, Amazon placed an order for a second season, demonstrating their confidence and commitment to this story about magic, kingdoms, and heroic journeys. The world that Jordan created has a devoted fanbase, and the series is managing to keep the enthusiasm burning for both established fans and newcomers alike.

Here are a few other fantasy series with a similar feel to ‘The Wheel of Time’ – high-stakes drama, enchanting magic, and thrilling escapades. Take a look at the following list for some captivating viewing options:

1. Game of Thrones (HBO)
2. Outlander (Starz)
3. The Witcher (Netflix)
4. Lost in Austen (BBC One)
5. A Discovery of Witches (Sky One)
6. Carnival Row (Amazon Prime Video)
7. Good Witch (Hallmark Channel)
8. Shadow and Bone (Netflix)
9. American Gods (Starz)
10. The Magicians (Syfy)

Best TV Series Like The Wheel of Time

You’ll find a diverse collection of 15 TV series on this list, all sharing some similarities with “The Wheel of Time.” We’ve carefully chosen these shows to capture the essence of the genre, style, or atmosphere that made “The Wheel of Time” so captivating. We hope you’ll find new favorites among them!

1. The Witcher

‘The Witcher’ debuted on December 20, 2019, and to this day, continues its captivating journey with three seasons currently available, featuring eight episodes each. Henry Cavill embodies Geralt of Rivia, a rugged monster hunter gifted with supernatural abilities, traversing a realm known as the Continent. This world is fraught with tension as humans, elves, and dwarves engage in conflict while wild beasts roam freely. Geralt becomes embroiled in the lives of Ciri, a young princess portrayed by Freya Allan who’s fleeing from the oppressive Nilfgaard empire, and Yennefer, a powerful sorceress played by Anya Chalotra. Their stories intertwine amidst battles, magic, and a strong thread of destiny. Currently, preparations for the fourth season are underway; however, Liam Hemsworth will assume the role of Geralt in this upcoming installment, with Cavill stepping back from the character.

In a nutshell, “The Witcher” series shares a similarity with ‘The Wheel of Time’, offering a richly developed universe and a sense of destiny that seems to follow its main character, Ciri, much like Rand. The combination of intense battles, intricate lore, and an extensive cast mirrors Jordan’s writing style. Moreover, the magic in this series is as wild and unpredictable as the Aes Sedai powers we’ve grown fond of.

2. His Dark Materials

Beginning from November 3, 2019, the series ‘His Dark Materials’ has aired three seasons consisting of a total of 23 episodes. Dafne Keen portrays Lyra Belacqua, a feisty child brought up in an uptight Oxford college. She possesses a daemon – a manifestation of her soul that can transform into various animal forms. In her adventures, she discovers Dust, a puzzling substance linked to hidden truths. The Magisterium, a strict religious organization, is conducting suspicious experiments on children in the north, capturing Lyra’s friend Roger. With James McAvoy and Ruth Wilson among the cast, she embarks on a mission to stop them.

This tale shares a similar feel to ‘The Wheel of Time’ as it follows a young protagonist who finds himself engulfed in an epic, cosmic struggle. The enigma of Dust echoes the show’s profound mythology, and Lyra’s travels through a vividly constructed world, filled with witches and armored bears, seems akin to stepping into Rand’s footsteps as he pursues answers across unfamiliar territories.

3. Emerald City

The series titled ‘Emerald City’ aired from January 6, 2017 to March 3, 2017, comprising of 10 episodes within its solitary season. In this adaptation, Adria Arjona plays Dorothy Gale who is transported by a tornado to the land of Oz, but this isn’t your typical children’s bedtime story. Instead, Vincent D’Onofrio portrays the Wizard as a tyrant with unyielding power, outlawing magic while witches conspire and a menacing Eternal Beast lurks in the shadows. Unaware of her connection to a prophecy that could potentially turn Oz on its head, Dorothy embarks on a quest to locate the Wizard.

This story shares a similar feel to “The Wheel of Time,” particularly the sense of a character finding themselves in an unfamiliar world, akin to Rand’s predicament. In this narrative, the protagonist seems as bewildered as Dorothy might be in a new land. The magic here is suppressed yet palpable, mirroring the underlying tension with the One Power. Additionally, the prophecy aspect aligns well with the theme of a chosen hero, a motif prevalent in Robert Jordan’s epic.

4. The Outpost

‘The Outpost’ television series ran from July 10, 2018, until October 7, 2021, spanning across four seasons with a total of 49 episodes. In this series, Jessica Green portrays Talon, the sole surviving member of the Blackblood race that was annihilated by mercenaries. On her hunt for the killers, she arrives at a gritty metropolis known as The Outpost, where she discovers a strange supernatural force. Accompanied by Imogen Waterhouse as her partner, Talon embarks on a journey to harness this power and overthrow a fanatical leader who wields significant influence in the city.

This narrative resonates strongly with “The Wheel of Time,” as Talon embarks on his solitary quest for revenge, echoing Rand’s early journey before he grasped the larger picture. The storyline carries a supernatural element and portrays a world on the brink of disorder, which mirrors an epic atmosphere. A determined underdog rises against malevolent forces in this tale.

5. Merlin

From September 20, 2008, to December 24, 2012, the TV show ‘Merlin’ aired for a total of 65 episodes over five seasons. The character of Merlin, played by Colin Morgan, is a young wizard who resides in Camelot and conceals his magical abilities from King Uther, portrayed by Anthony Head, who harbors a deep distrust towards sorcerers. A dragon with John Hurt providing its voice assigns Merlin the responsibility of protecting Bradley James’ Arthur, a role that adds a new twist to the classic tale. The character of Arthur is destined to become king in this series.

This tale carries an air reminiscent of “The Wheel of Time,” where a hidden magic user subtly manipulates the course of a kingdom. Unlike Merlin, Rand struggles under the weight of power he must conceal. The medieval backdrop and fate-driven narrative seamlessly blend with Robert Jordan’s grand epic, but with a more approachable, friendly tone.

6. Loki

The television series titled ‘Loki’ debuted on June 9, 2021, and has completed two seasons up until now, launching with six episodes. In the series, Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Loki, who was last seen stealing the Tesseract in ‘Avengers: Endgame’. However, this time around, he is apprehended by the Time Variance Authority. Owen Wilson’s character, Mobius, presents him with a proposition – fix a distorted timeline or face erasure. Consequently, Loki embarks on a journey through history, manipulating time to counteract a looming danger of greater magnitude.

This references ‘The Wheel of Time’ series, where the high-stakes drama is similar to threads in the Pattern becoming entangled – Loki’s timeline disarray can be likened to this. The combination of magic, cosmic forces, and a cunning protagonist echoes the show’s mix of prophecy and power, but with a unique, time-jumping twist.

7. The Nevers

‘The series titled ‘The Nevers’ premiered on April 11, 2021, featuring a total of 12 episodes thus far. In the storyline, set in Victorian London, Laura Donnelly plays Amalia True, a woman who gains special abilities after an unusual ship appears. She has the ability to see glimpses of the future, while Ann Skelly’s character, Penance, can sense electrical energy and uses it to excel as a skilled inventor. Together they operate an orphanage to protect other individuals with similar powers from a frightened society.’

This story has an atmosphere reminiscent of “The Wheel of Time,” with its group of exceptional individuals battling against a world that shuns them, much like the Aes Sedai dealing with mistrust. The magical abilities and impending conflict carry that grand scale, all enveloped in a steampunk aesthetic.

8. See

The series titled ‘See’ commenced on November 1, 2019, and has already completed three seasons. It starts with eight episodes, and Jason Momoa plays the character of Baba Voss who leads a tribe in a world that is 600 years post-virus, where everyone is blind. The twins, gifted with sight due to their father, are a rarity in this setup. Sylvia Hoeks portrays Queen Kane, who is on the hunt for them as she fears their vision could challenge her authority in this raw, post-apocalyptic world.

This connects to ‘The Wheel of Time’ with its untamed, strange landscape and a struggle for unique talents, such as the allure of the One Power. The dramatic confrontation between tribes and a hero safeguarding something monumental aligns perfectly with Jordan’s high-stakes epic.

9. Shadow and Bone

‘On April 23, 2021, the series ‘Shadow and Bone’ premiered, consisting of two seasons initially, with a total of eight episodes. In the fictional land of Ravka, where a lethal mist reigns, Jessie Mei Li portrays Alina, a girl who is unaware of her latent magical abilities that the Grisha, magic practitioners, desperately seek to harness for fighting this fog. Ben Barnes plays General Kirigan, a character who beckons Alina but trust becomes a scarce commodity when her friend’s fate hangs in the balance.’

In a similar vein to “The Wheel of Time,” featuring Alina as an unwilling protagonist reminiscent of Rand embracing his destiny, the story presents a vast, intricate world filled with ominous magic. The tension and stakes echo the grandeur of the series, as a nation teeters on the edge.

10.The Shannara Chronicles

‘From January 5, 2016, to November 22, 2017, the television series ‘The Shannara Chronicles’ aired for two seasons, consisting of 20 episodes in total. Set in a post-apocalyptic year 4150, the story revolves around Austin Butler as Wil, a half-elf, who joins forces with Amberle, portrayed by Poppy Drayton, and Ivana Baquero’s Eretria. The group is led by Manu Bennett’s Druid Allanon in their mission to save a tree called the Ellcrys, as its death could unleash demons upon the world.’

This seems reminiscent of ‘The Wheel of Time’ series, as it revolves around the mission to prevent an apocalyptic danger, intertwined with ancient mysticism. The blend of elven characters, druids, and a youthful group embarking on their journey echoes the grand, destiny-laden voyage we follow with Rand and his companions.

11. Foundation

‘Foundation’, commenced on September 24, 2021, and features two seasons and an initial run of ten episodes. In this series, Jared Harris portrays Hari Seldon, a character who employs the science of psychohistory to foresee the downfall of a galactic empire under the control of Lee Pace’s Emperor Cleon, a clone. Seldon establishes a collective on a distant planet to preserve knowledge and abridge a 30,000-year period of darkness to just 1,000 years.

The storyline carries reminiscences of “Wheel of Time,” with its intricate, world-altering design; Seldon’s plan resembles the complex web of the Pattern. The grandeur and collision of powers have a familiar ring to them, merely transposed into a science fiction context instead of pure fantasy.

12. The Librarians

‘The Librarians’ television series ran from December 7, 2014 to February 7, 2018, spanning four seasons and a total of 42 episodes. In this show, Noah Wyle portrays Flynn Carson, a character who seeks out mystical artifacts while battling the Brotherhood of the Serpent. The main character, Rebecca Romijn’s Eve Baird, leads her team consisting of Christian Kane, Lindy Booth, and John Harlan Kim. Each member of this team possesses extraordinary abilities, working together to prevent magic from falling into the wrong hands.’

This connects to ‘The Wheel of Time’ by following the pursuit of potent artifacts, such as the chase for the Horn of Valere. The camaraderie and encounters with mystical dangers echo that group dynamic and grandeur, but with a fun, contemporary twist.

13. Jupiter’s Legacy

The Netflix series ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’ premiered on May 7, 2021, consisting of eight episodes in its first season. Josh Duhamel’s character Sheldon Sampson assembles a superhero team following the stock market crash in 1929, imposing a no-violence policy. However, his children—played by Leslie Bibb as Grace and Ben Daniels as Walter—grapple with their father’s legacy. Their internal conflicts, marked by rebellion and family turmoil, threaten to tear the team apart.

In essence, it’s similar to the series ‘The Wheel of Time’, where a significant bloodline grapples with crucial decisions, much like Rand’s destiny. The struggle between contrasting beliefs and a world undergoing change mirrors the epic conflict, encased within the framework of a superhero narrative.

14. Carnival Row

1. ‘Carnival Row’ debuted on August 30, 2019, with two seasons and an initial run of eight episodes. The series centers around Orlando Bloom’s character, Philo, who is a police officer in the city of Burgue. This metropolis is home to both humans and fairies, who coexist uneasily following a war. Throughout the narrative, Philo investigates a series of murders linked to Cara Delevingne’s Vignette, a fairy with whom he shared past affection, all while navigating political turmoil.’

2. ‘Starting August 30, 2019, ‘Carnival Row’ unfolded over two seasons and eight episodes. In this world, Orlando Bloom plays Philo, a police officer in the city of Burgue. This unique city houses both humans and fairies, who remain tense after a conflict. Philo finds himself embroiled in investigating murders connected to Cara Delevingne’s Vignette, a former love and fairy, amidst political chaos.’

3. ‘From August 30, 2019, ‘Carnival Row’ has been on air for two seasons and consists of eight episodes. The story revolves around Orlando Bloom as Philo, a police officer in Burgue – a city with a mixed human-fairy population following a war. As he probes into murders linked to Cara Delevingne’s Vignette, an ex-lover and fairy, Philo also navigates the city’s political unrest.’

This connects to ‘The Wheel of Time’ by presenting a detailed, fragmented world and an impending turmoil, much like the places where Rand wanders. The magical entities and complex relationships share a resemblance to that grand, all-encompassing vitality.

15. Game of Thrones

The hit series ‘Game of Thrones’ aired from April 17, 2011, to May 19, 2019, spanning eight seasons and a total of 73 episodes. Sean Bean’s character Ned Stark travels to King’s Landing following Robert Baratheon’s ascension to the throne, discovering intrigues among the noble families. Meanwhile, Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington’s Jon Snow emerge as dragon-wielders, while wars redefine the political landscape of Westeros.

This story resembles the expansive universe of ‘The Wheel of Time’, filled with an extensive cast and a world where power dynamics change swiftly – picture the journey of Rand through the Westlands. The rich history, intense battles, and prophetic undertones make it ideal for anyone craving a grand fantasy experience. And if that doesn’t satisfy you, there’s always its spin-off series, ‘House of the Dragon’.

2025-04-04 11:15