The land of Westeros is returning to our screens in a sequel series that is receiving raving reviews more than three years after Game of Thrones aired its universally panned finale. House of the Dragon has been big, bloody, and all Game of Thrones fans could have hoped for.
The fantasy drama about the Targaryen dynasty, their dragons, and a catastrophic civil war has received record-breaking ratings on HBO in the US and on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK. It was loosely based on events in 12th-century England. However, with season 1’s finale on October 24 and season 2 still a few years away, there will soon be a significant void on our Monday nights to fill.
House of the Dragon, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood, centers on the Targaryen civil war, which (of course) includes a conflict over a throne. Who will succeed King Viserys I is this time’s main plot question. His brother, Prince Dameon, and daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, are the front-runners.
The first season of House of the Dragon, which has ten episodes, began airing on HBO on August 21. Given the high viewership numbers thus far, season two was immediately announced, yet, the wait for brand-new episodes will still be torturous.
We’ve got similar thirty-three series for you to watch if you enjoyed the swordplay and succession fights of the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon. Here are our recommendations for the next exciting series to watch, all of which are in some way comparable to House of the Dragon.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
There is no requirement that you watch one of the two epic fantasy series over the other, even though they both made their debuts at the tail end of the summer with significant promotional campaigns.
The Rings of Power on Prime Video, which is a prequel to a beloved franchise, was met with high anticipation from fans, much like House of the Dragon was. The series has succeeded in living up to the enormous anticipation with an astonishing start to Tolkien’s Second Age of Middle-earth.
In order to accurately portray the magic and scope of Tolkien’s stories, no money was spared. While a well-known antagonist looms in the background, season 1 has gradually built up a huge array of people and plotlines, ranging from elves and dwarves to harfoots and men.
Raised By Wolves
The bad news is that HBO Max’s great corporate slaughter of 2022 resulted in the cancellation of numerous shows, including Raised By Wolves. The good news is that you can stream the first two seasons of this science fiction program right now. The show, which Ridley Scott executive produces, centers on two androids trying to raise human children on a dangerous planet after the Earth has been destroyed.
Although it shares many of the same characteristics as House of the Dragon, such as a completely developed world, engaging mythology, and magnificent imagery, it is less instantly comparable to House of the Dragon than some of the other books on this list.
The Witcher
The Witcher is an adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and the most ambitious fantasy series on Netflix to date. It is also the basis for a massively popular video game franchise. You may anticipate sorcery, monsters, and otherworldly thrills in the movie Geralt of Rivia, which stars Henry Cavill as the title Witcher.
A third season of the show is on the way to Netflix, and because of its popularity, Blood Origin, an animated spin-off, and prequel series have already been created.
His Dark Materials
The HBO and BBC television series His Dark Materials is based on Phillip Pulman’s popular book trilogy, and it was a major success in its first season. In Season 2, the show developed its fantastic plot further, and it has now been renewed for a third season. Capturing the childlike wonder and darkness of Pullman’s novels, if you love fantasy stories, this adventure around alternate worlds, prophecies, and daemons will have you hooked.
James McAvoy, Dafne Keen, and Ruth Wilson are among the actors that appear in His Dark Materials. In a world where everyone is born with a Daemon or actual spirit animal, the book follows Lyra. After learning about her true ancestry, Lyra realizes she is meant for greatness.
Vikings
Vikings, the History Channel’s first venture into scripted television in 2012, proved to be a wise investment because it lasted for six seasons. The program is based on several Norse myths, most notably the tale of Ragnar Lodbrok (Travis Fimmel), a Viking who climbs from modest beginnings to become a warrior and, in the end, a king. Early seasons of the show focus on Ragnar, his fellow warriors, and his friends; later seasons switch to his descendants. There are many seasons of this exciting new generational fantasy drama to keep you entertained, so look no further.
Game of Thrones
If you’ve already seen it, move on. But if House of the Dragon was your first exposure to Westeros and George R.R. Martin’s writings, you can quickly make up for it by watching all eight seasons of Game of Thrones.
The massively popular television series Game of Thrones changed the game by demonstrating that fantasy literature can be successfully adapted for television.
Game of Thrones is still the undisputed king of fantasy television, boasting some of the most amazing TV episodes ever.
The Crown
Matt Smith, who plays Daemon Targaryen in HotD, also stars in the Netflix series The Crown, which also features very comparable hardships and lessons. The Targaryen line of succession and the crown are the sole subjects of HotD. Fans need to look no further than The Crown for a more subdued but comparable series.
In contrast to HotD, The Crown follows the British royal family behind closed doors and is set in a fictionalized 20th century. The show extrapolates what is known about the royal family’s past to speculate on the real tale behind their secrets and lives. Although there isn’t a lot of blood and fire involved here, the stakes are nonetheless shockingly high for a family that simultaneously clings to and dodges the spotlights.
Downtown Abbey
Julian Fellowes is the creator and co-writer of the British historical drama television series Downton Abbey, which takes place in the early 20th century. The show, which portrays the lives of the wealthy Crawley family and their domestic servants from 1912 to 1926, is set at the fictional Yorkshire country house of Downton Abbey. The series shows how the post-Edwardian era’s major events affected both their lives and the British social hierarchy.
The show featured news of the Titanic’s sinking, the First World War’s outbreak, the Irish War of Independence, which resulted in the formation of the Irish Free State; and the Spanish Influenza Pandemic, the Teapot Dome Scandal, the British general election of 1923 and Beer Hall Putsch. The sixth and final season introduces the interwar working class rising and provides a foreshadowing of the British aristocracy’s eventual demise.
Becoming Elizabeth
Of course, Rhaenyra is one of the most significant characters in House of the Dragon, and there is still a lot for the audience to discover about her. She is already known to be a young woman who aspires to be powerful in her own right and who conceals shrewdness beneath a façade of frivolity.
Rhaenyra and the young Princess Elizabeth in the television show, which centers on the girl who would grow up to be Elizabeth I, one of the most recognized queens England has ever known, have a lot in common in that sense. Becoming Elizabeth tells viewers the pivotal moments in the princess’ early childhood that formed the ruler she would become, much like House of the Dragon depicts Rhaenyra’s ascent to power.
Shadow and Bone
Alina Starkhov (Jessie Mei Li), a cartographer in a war-torn future, learns she possesses unusual abilities and may be destined to save her homeland from being engulfed by a terrible stretch of darkness known as The Fold. The show’s backstory, a mash-up of two distinct book series by author Leigh Bardugo, is occasionally baffling, but the viewing experience is certainly worth it.
Rome
Rome is a historical drama that tells the story of the turbulent, brutal years when the Roman Republic was transitioning into the Roman Empire. It is a criminally underappreciated gem from the early days of HBO. The show is allowed to use some dramatic license with history by focusing on two fictional Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson), even if the general themes are all present.
The show is a no-holds-barred political thriller filled with ambitious, interesting characters, starting with Julius Caesar’s assassination and ending with his ascent to power through civil war, ironclad dominance over Rome, and his infamous assassination.
The Wheel of Time
With 90 million novels sold worldwide, The Wheel of Time is one of the most well-known and lucrative fantasy series of all time. The series has the traditional expansive realms you would expect in a substantial fantasy franchise and is predicated on the idea that there is magic in the universe that only specific ladies are allowed to access. The 15-book epic saga by Robert Jordan was released on Prime Video in 2021. Rosamund Pike and Sophie Okonedo are members of the cast.
The Hollow Crown
Famously, George R. R. Martin was inspired to develop Game of Thrones by actual historical occurrences, particularly the Wars of the Roses. William Shakespeare’s collection of history plays, which was transformed into a series of BBC TV miniseries dubbed The Hollow Crown, was one of the first literary adaptations of that epic. Shakespeare’s “Henriad”—Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V—is adapted in the first series, which stars Ben Whishaw, Jeremy Irons, and Tom Hiddleston as flawlessly performed and engrossing as one might anticipate.
Grimm
Since there are still plenty of seasons available after its 2017 conclusion, Grimm is the ideal series to binge-watch. Similar to HotD, Grimm has a fantastical component, and throughout the series, a variety of strange monsters appear out of nowhere. However, Grimm frequently explores the paranormal as Nick, the protagonist, battles the horrific forces that surround him.
Dark overtones and supernatural violence are shared by Grimm and HotD. Grimm is smart, skillfully crafted, and well-written, especially for a show that debuted in 2011. This is similar to HotD.
Succession
Because both shows depict a chaotic and powerful family that splits apart in a civil struggle for dominance and control, House of the Dragon was cleverly dubbed “Succession with Swords.”
Dark comedy-drama on HBO With Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, and Sarah Snook all turning in award-winning performances as the annoying Roy family, proprietors of a massive media and entertainment empire, Succession is one of the must-watch TV shows of the past ten years.
Three seasons are currently available for streaming, and a fourth is coming.
Wolf Hall
This six-part BBC series, which is based on Hilary Mantel’s critically acclaimed dramatized biography of Thomas Cromwell, is full of mystery and suspense, even if you know how it ends. Wolf Hall, which is set in the court of Henry VIII in the early 16th century, is centered on the interesting figure of Cromwell, an ambitious, cunning, and idealistic barrister who ends up serving as the erratic king’s top minister.
Being Human
Being Human is a comedy and drama that focuses on the undiscovered supernatural realm that lurks in Bristol’s streets. It is home to several supernatural creatures, including ghosts, werewolves, and vampires, three of whom reside in the same apartment. Being Human and HotD are both bloody dark fantasies, although Being Human is more focused on common people than royalty.
In comparison to HotD, Being Human becomes darker and frequently approaches horror. The central supernatural characters of the program pose as regular people to blend in and escape being discovered, persecuted, and killed. Whether it is royal heritage or surviving on a dangerous planet, both series are centered around deception, fear, and coping with something far bigger than oneself.
The Tudors
The Tudors, a period drama about the royal dynasty that included Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, doesn’t exactly follow historical accounts, but it nonetheless demonstrates that compelling storytelling and stormy drama don’t require the creation of fantastical worlds.
In this tale of desire, power, and succession, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Natalie Dormer both gave outstanding performances as Henry VIII and Anne Bolyen,
The Sandman
This fantasy/drama series may be familiar to comic book readers as it is based on Neil Gaiman’s legendary Vertigo series, The Sandman. The Netflix series has received accolades for its stunning aesthetics and for adhering closely to the worldview presented in the comics. Both programs stand out for their extravagant book adaptations.
The Sandman tells the story of Dream of the Endless capture and how the privileged and powerful steal his abilities. However, the rest of the world suffers as a result of his imprisonment. This fantasy series, similar to HotD, deals with mature topics and follows the ascension of an ancient ruler to the throne.
Foundation
Based on the Isaac Asimov novels, David S. Goyer’s Apple TV+ series Foundation is a science fiction tale. A galactic empire the size of the Milky Way that is on the verge of disintegrating is the subject of the science fiction novel Foundation. In order to combat that, a rogue scientist comes up with a plan to save humanity from extinction by establishing “foundations” that will preserve the knowledge of humanity’s collective wisdom.
The outstanding cast of the series, which features Jared Harris and Lee Pace as its leads, has been extremely helpful to Foundation. Because it is an Apple TV+ series, which is relatively new in the streaming industry, the series still hasn’t gained much recognition. However, Foundation still has a chance since
Outlander
This classic fantasy drama’s popularity has grown over the years thanks to word-of-mouth marketing, and there will soon be a seventh season and a prequel.
The series, which is based on Diana Gabaldon’s books, follows a nurse from the Second World War who is sent back in time to 1742, where she meets Scottish warrior Jamie.
The Borgias
The Borgias, which is set in the 15th century, immerses viewers in the struggle between Pope Alexander VI and his sons for control of Italy. This historical drama skillfully weaves together murder, war, and tense alliances to dramatic effect. It is intriguing, clever, and exquisitely costumed (the costume design is superb, by the way). Without giving too much away, the plot is intriguing as well, and there are some tantalizing turns along the way that make this worth following through to the end.
The Barchester Chronicles
The Barchester Chronicles don’t contain any sword fights or even a minor dragon attack, so let’s establish that right away. You can safely scroll down to the next one if that’s what you’re looking for when it comes to shows like House Of The Dragon. It’s great that you are among my pals.
It does, however, feature the pre-electricity politicking for which House Of The Dragon has loudly and clearly shown that there is a huge, eager audience. If you’ve loved learning about all the various aristocratic families in a sizable, imaginary nation, you’ll love The Barchester Chronicles’ intricate depiction of local ecclesiastical politics.
The Last Kingdom
A historical fiction series called The Last Kingdom is set in 872 in England. The series is classified as 18 because it contains dramatic and potentially frightening sequences as well as violence, gore, and language. There are issues with ownership and birthrights throughout the country, and the plot revolves around a man protecting his land from invaders.
The Last Kingdom has a lot in common with the historically-inspired television shows Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, even if it is better to keep reality and fantasy apart. It’s a similarly intense series that openly embraces sex and violence and is obviously meant to be enjoyed by adults.
The Expanse
The Expanse is the best world-building series ever. The program gives viewers a peek at a future in which humans have colonized Mars and the nearby asteroid belt in addition to Earth.
The tension between the many individuals remains high despite the fact that the plot alternates between Earth, Mars, and the Belt, thanks to some astute editing and careful attention to detail. One heck of a seismic shift occurs when that tension manifests itself in action. The Expanse is one of the best sci-fi series out there and a must-watch, so saying anything more would be doing this program a disservice.
Empire
This time, the dynasty in need of a successor is a hip-hop label, which serves to give all the boardroom maneuverings a gritty, brutal street counterpart. Though there are no dragons, there is still blood and thunder. Additionally, the show features more singing and dance than contemporary prestige dramas normally manage to cram in because of the nature of the genre.
In 2019, Jussie Smollett, a prominent cast member, appeared to catch the characters’ bottomless desire, publicly claiming to have been the victim of a well-planned hate crime. This led to Empire becoming instantly well-known in the real world. Almost every show on this list, including House Of The Dragon, explores the theme of “what would you do for power?”
Peaky Blinders
One of the most complex and brutal tales about power and those who seek it is Peaky Blinders. The Shelby family’s ascent to power in England is followed in the BBC series. The Shelby family is seen operating their somewhat shady business in Birmingham at the beginning of the series, which is set just after the First World War.
The way Peaky Blinders recounts its tales will make you empathize with the most miserable characters ever depicted on screen. The outstanding ensemble cast for the BBC series, led by Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby, the family patriarch, truly helps the show succeed. The sixth and final season of Peaky Blinders just ended, but for the fans, it’s not the end just yet. The show has been revived for a movie in which Thomas Shelby will make a comeback.
Troy: Fall Of A City
House of the Dragon is, in many respects, a tragedy in the literary meaning of the word since it depicts a family tearing itself apart due to its own tragic decisions. This makes Troy: Fall of a City such an excellent book for fans of House of the Dragon since everybody who has ever heard tales of the Trojan War understands that it also has this quality. The series is a creative and ultimately devastating retelling of one of literature’s most influential stories, focusing on the deeds of people like Paris, Helen, and Hector.
Black Sails
It wouldn’t be far off from what Black Sails does if you replaced the fantasy backdrop of House of the Dragon with pirates and high-seas antics. This seafaring endeavor, which is divided into four seasons, masterfully depicts the spirit of a pirate through some stunning graphics and a long plot.
Using a diverse cast of individuals, Black Sails explores the genuine nature of piracy as opposed to the over-the-top swashbuckling Jack Sparrows of the world. It’s definitely worthwhile to stick with the first season’s slower pace because the action is intense and realistic. This is where the show starts to shine.
The Sopranos
In a certain sense, The Sopranos could be written off as a family drama, but audiences simply can’t get enough of this dysfunctional family because they are so strong, dangerous, and motivated by pride, desire, and shame. Just to be clear, when we refer to “family” in this context, we mean both “direct blood and marital relatives” and “mafia.”
One of those characters that transcend just being career-defining and bend the medium about their surface was James Gandolfini’s portrayal of Tony Soprano. And although he would ultimately finish up fighting it out with one of New York’s larger Mafia clans in the early seasons, it was a family matter, with his intensely disagreeable mother serving as the ultimate baddy.
The Great
The fact that these programs frequently portray opulent royal power struggles and ancient conflicts has been criticized repeatedly. There is little time for anyone to smile or share a joke as rulers make important speeches, people are deceived and executed, and individuals are decapitated. Tony McNamara was the creator. “The Great” examines Catherine the Great’s ascent to power in an anti-historical manner.
Peter III, the Russian ruler, is portrayed by Nicholas Hoult in a flawlessly haughty performance against Elle Fanning as Catherine. The two frequently form coalitions of convenience, but they also occasionally engage in open hostilities with coup attempts as the program only loosely reflects the actual history and harbors no loyalty to it. The legendary Gillian Anderson adds some spice to the second season as Catherine’s mother in a long guest arc that furthers history’s crazy plot twists.
Deadwood
The power struggles, betrayals, and world-shattering events of HBO’s classic Western “Deadwood” take place in a single mining encampment as opposed to an entire kingdom like in “House of the Dragon.”
“Deadwood” is more dedicated to brutality and the harsh realities of existence than even “Game of Thrones” could ever aspire to be. It contains period language laced with charmingly anachronistic swear words. But because of its dedication to creating interesting and accessible characters, it’s also one of the most lovable, humanistic, and life-affirming series ever produced.
