This Forgotten 3-Season Fantasy Show Is Great From Start to Finish (& It’s on Netflix)

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A truly memorable fantasy show doesn’t require dragons, magic schools, or huge battles – or a massive budget. Some of the best succeed simply by telling a well-paced, focused story. This is true of a series that many overlooked, but which offers three complete seasons with no unnecessary episodes. It strikes a great balance between romance, mystery, and drama, and incorporates a natural supernatural element that keeps you intrigued. While it didn’t become a massive cultural hit, it certainly deserved more attention.

What sets *A Discovery of Witches* apart is its consistency, which is rare in today’s television. It’s frustrating to start a show you enjoy, only to have the quality decline in later seasons, but that doesn’t happen here. The first season earned a remarkable 94% audience score on *Rotten Tomatoes*, and while subsequent seasons saw a small dip, it consistently remained above 80% (nearly 90% overall). The show keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end, so you never feel like your time was wasted. It’s not perfect, but its reliability is a major strength in a TV world where consistency is often lacking.

The story begins with Diana Bishop, a historian who’s also a witch, though she tries to avoid acknowledging it. Everything changes when she discovers an ancient manuscript, attracting the attention of vampires, demons, and other supernatural beings. She finds an unlikely ally – and eventually a romantic partner – in Matthew Clairmont, a vampire who also happens to be a geneticist. While romance is definitely a part of the story, it doesn’t overshadow the other elements. Their relationship fuels the plot, allowing for conflicts between different species and a mythology that unfolds in an intelligent and rewarding manner.

Some viewers feel the romance between Diana and Matthew happens quickly, and the season sometimes feels rushed as it tries to resolve everything. However, these issues don’t really detract from the enjoyment of the show. The actors playing Diana and Matthew have great chemistry, and that’s ultimately what makes the story work. It’s easy to forgive minor flaws when the overall experience is so satisfying.

A Discovery of Witches Shines Because It Knows What It Needs to Be Different

One of the show’s greatest qualities is that it always had a defined beginning, middle, and end. Describing it as “tightly wrapped” is accurate. Unlike many popular series that get extended with prequels, spin-offs, and endless additions before the original story is complete, this show stays focused on its main plot. This helps it hold up well over time, preventing viewers from getting tired of the franchise. *A Discovery of Witches* is ideal for binge-watching: three seasons with a clear flow, a compelling start, and a satisfying conclusion. This is a significant advantage over many fantasy shows that become overwhelmed by their own scope.

Plus, each season carefully adapts one book from Deborah Harkness’ *All Souls* trilogy. The show doesn’t include unnecessary plotlines, sudden endings, or frustrating cliffhangers just to keep viewers watching. It stays true to the original books and, crucially, respects its audience. If you’re tired of shows getting canceled or storylines that feel endless, it’s a relief to watch something with a clear and well-defined path.

One of the show’s strongest points is its authentic historical setting, achieved by filming on location. It’s stylish and subtle, avoiding the flashy spectacle of big-budget blockbusters. In fact, *A Discovery of Witches* is so unique that it doesn’t really compare to other fantasy shows. This might be why it didn’t get much attention when it first came out, but it’s precisely what makes it so good. The show’s success lies in its refusal to imitate its competitors, and while that may have hindered its initial recognition, it ultimately benefits the overall quality.

While *A Discovery of Witches* isn’t groundbreaking, it’s a solid fantasy series. It’s well-made, consistent, and keeps you hooked. It avoids many of the pitfalls that plague modern TV shows by staying true to its scope. In an era where shows often start strong but fizzle out, it’s refreshing to find one that remains engaging throughout its entire run.

It’s easy to miss, and many fantasy fans haven’t even tried it, but once you start watching *A Discovery of Witches*, you’ll quickly realize what you’ve been missing.

A Discovery of Witches is available on Netflix.

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2025-09-16 19:19