5 Underrated Historical Fantasy TV Shows To Discover

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Historical fiction and fantasy are consistently popular genres, so it’s surprising that many TV shows combining the two – historical fantasy – don’t get much attention. While shows like Merlin and Outlander are well-known, it’s harder to name many others beyond those top titles.

Fantasy is a challenging genre to master. While it’s meant to give creators complete freedom to build unique worlds and characters, historical fantasy adds a layer of realism. This means creators have to work within the bounds of history, which limits the ‘anything goes’ feeling that usually defines the genre.

Historical fantasy shows are creative, even with their limitations. Sometimes, working within those boundaries actually pushes creators to come up with incredibly original ideas. That’s definitely true for the five shows below – they’re fantastic and deserve a wider audience.

Cursed (2020)

Cursed is a fantasy drama that ran for one season. It’s based on a 2019 graphic novel by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler with the same title. The show offers a fresh take on the stories of medieval Great Britain and Arthurian legend, and stars Katherine Langford as Nimue, the Lady of the Lake – a well-known character from the myths.

The show Cursed follows Nimue as she embarks on a journey to find the wizard Merlin, accompanied by a mercenary named Arthur. Their mission is to deliver a powerful sword to him. Though it was canceled after just one season, Cursed is an engaging and well-acted adventure story.

The Mists Of Avalon (2001)

As a big fan of Arthurian legends, I always found The Mists of Avalon really interesting. It’s based on Marion Zimmer Bradley’s novel from ’83, and what sets it apart is that it tells the story of King Arthur, but through the eyes of Morgan le Fay and the other women involved. With Anjelica Huston, Julianna Margulies, and Joan Allen in the cast, it’s a totally different take on the familiar tale.

While familiar characters from the Arthurian legend appear, the story truly focuses on the women at its heart, rather than Arthur or Lancelot. The three actresses playing the main female roles are fantastic, and the series thoughtfully explores these legendary figures as complex people with weaknesses, not just as perfect heroes.

Britannia (2018-2021)

The historical fantasy drama Britannia takes place in 43 AD, when the Roman army returns to invade Britain. Ninety years prior, Julius Caesar hadn’t been able to conquer the island, and this time, the Romans face fierce resistance not only from the native Cantii tribe, but also from powerful gods and magical creatures.

David Morrissey plays the Roman leader Aulus Plautius, while Kelly Reilly stars as Kerra, a princess of the Cantii tribe. The show Britannia is wonderfully unpredictable, with surprising twists and shocking deaths that are comparable to Game of Thrones. It’s also a fun, lighthearted watch – it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

My Lady Jane (2024)

The series My Lady Jane, inspired by a novel by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, and Cynthia Hand, offers a fantastical take on the life of Lady Jane Grey. Similar to historical events, Lady Jane (played by Emily Bader) is compelled to marry Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel), but this story unfolds in a reimagined, magical version of 16th-century England.

This Lord Guildford Dudley has a peculiar secret: every night, he turns into a horse. While strange, this isn’t unheard of in this version of England, where people known as Ethians – who can shapeshift into animals – exist, though they aren’t well-liked. It’s a sweet and engaging story that unfortunately ended before its time.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015)

Based on Susanna Clarke’s 2004 novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a BBC series set in 19th-century England, but a version where magic exists. Though everyone knows magic is real, very few people actually practice it, and those who do are often looked down upon.

Mr. Norrell, played by Eddie Marsan, secretly practices magic in the English countryside. But after his assistant, John Childermass (Enzo Cilenti), persuades him, he travels to London to demonstrate the power of magic to the world. Despite appearing simple on the surface, the show is actually quite sophisticated and intelligent, and its historical fantasy elements are incredibly ambitious and thought-provoking.

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2025-12-04 17:09