16 TV Shows to Watch If You Loved Game of Thrones (and Where to Stream Them)
Game of Thrones was the show to watch between 2011 and 2019. Set in a mediaeval fantasy world created by author George R.R. Martin, from its intricate plot development to its dragon-filled aesthetics, the series captivated fans who love fantasy, political drama, and steamy romances, and ushered in a new level of high-budget television production. But now that Game of Thrones’ eight-season run is over, it’s left a void in its wake that can only be filled by other equally captivating shows.
Check out our list of 16 shows like Game of Thrones and find out everything you need to be able to stream them online!
House of the Dragon is a direct spinoff of Game of Thrones, so if you’re keen to watch something that takes you back into George R.R. Martin’s immersive medieval-esque fantasy world, look no further. House of the Dragon is a prequel series that takes place about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Its focus is on the decline of House Targaryen as questions of succession and routine political backstabbing lead them into outright civil war in the so-called Dance of Dragons.
Vikings: Valhalla is the sequel series to Vikings and takes place about 100 years after the events of the Vikings Season 6 finale. The series focuses on the Viking descendants living in England as they clash with the natives and war amongst themselves over converting to Christianity or maintaining their pagan beliefs. The series focuses on three characters: the explorer Lief Erikson (Sam Corlett), his sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson), and the prince of Norway, Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter).
One could argue that the Lord of the Rings films paved the way to success for Game of Thrones, as they whet audiences’ appetites for a pseudo-medieval fantasy world full of bloody battles and political intrigue. This Lord of the Rings prequel television series therefore nestles quite comfortably into this list. The series takes place three and a half thousand years before the events of The Hobbit, and tells the story of the creation of the Rings of Power.
Set in a dark mediaeval fantasy world, The Witcher follows the story of one Geralt of Riva, a lone monster hunter roaming The Continent who finds himself linked to a princess, Ciri, and becomes her protector. In a world of magic and corruption, there are plenty who want to track Ciri down and use her unique powers for evil, so between monster hunting and keeping Ciri safe, Geralt has his work cut out for him.
In 9th century England, Uhtred the son of a Saxon nobleman was abducted by the invading Danes as a child and raised amongst them. Years later, as clashes between the Danes and the native Englanders heat up, Uhtred finds himself at the centre of the conflict and torn between two warring allegiances.
Although Rome lasted for only two seasons, it is still regarded as one of the most immersive adaptations of life and politics at the time of the Roman Empire. Full of political intrigue and battles, the first season dramatises Julius Caesar’s civil war, going against powerful factions of the Roman Senate. The second season covers the rise of Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) and the subsequent power struggle between him and Mark Antony in the wake of Caesar’s assassination.
Shogun takes place in 17th century Japan where a power struggle is taking place between Japanese warlords, the Catholic Church, the Regency, and the Spanish and Portuguese Empires. When Captain John Blackthorne finds himself shipwrecked on Japanese shores, he is thrown into a new world in which he must play his cards right to stay alive.
Set in 16th century England, the Tudors follows the story of the infamous King Henry VIII. As he becomes increasingly power hungry and headstrong, Henry VIII breaks with the Vatican to establish the Church of England as he attempts to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and court Anne Boleyn.
This 2014 drama series spanned two seasons and follows the young Italian explorer Marco Polo through his travels through China and the Mongol Empire. There he becomes the guest of Kublai Khan, one of the great rulers of the Mongol Empire, as he seeks to expand his territories.
Although The Expanse is a sci-fi series, if you loved the political plots in Game of Thrones you will not be disappointed by this offering. The series is set in a future reality in which humans have successfully colonised the Solar System. However, the most powerful planets don’t always see eye to eye, resulting in a power struggle to come out on top. The series focuses on members of a ship’s crew — council member Chrisjen Avasarala, detective Josephus Miller, officer James Holden, and others — as they find themselves in the middle of a political conspiracy.
