Binge watching is one of the greatest trends to have come with the advent of streaming services. But, once you’ve finished one great series, what should you queue up at next?
TakeGame of Thrones, for example. Once the final scene of the final show of the eighth and final season is over, it can leave a massive hole that you’ll be looking to fill with something equally epic.
That’s why we’ve curated a list of highly recommended shows that Games of Thrones fans should try next. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy them as much as us.
The Witcher
Based on the fantasy novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and more than a little inspired by the games by CD Projekt too, The Witcher is Netflix’s big push to be the “next Game of Thrones” and while it starts inauspiciously, it picks up well after the first episode and could very well have a chance.
Now on its sixth and final season, Vikings is an epic historical tale based on the lives of several real-life norsemen and women, plus an English king or two. Like Game of Thrones, it is spattered with impressive, bloody battles, plus political power plays and family in-fighting.
His Dark Materials
This joint BBC/HBO adaptation of Philip Pullman’s fantasy book trilogy stars James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson and Dafne Keen as lead character, Lyra. It starts a mighty adventure that takes part across the world, with the first season focusing on the events in the first book, Northern Lights, which features mighty polar bears in battle armour.
The two seasons of Rome are essential viewing for anyone who didn’t manage to catch them first time around. They mainly focus on two fictional Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, played by Kevin McKidd (Trainspotting) and Ray Stevenson (Punisher: War Zone) respectively, who see real-life historical events unfold in front of their eyes. Again, like Game of Thrones, the political infighting amongst the elite, including Julius Caesar, is fascinating.
Black Sails
Based on the days of pirates, the four seasons of Black Sails collectively work as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It’s all rather adult, however, so not that suitable as reference material for a child, for example. Still, it is superbly made, with excellent sea battles and acting from Toby Stephens (Captain Flint) and Luke Arnold (John Silver).
Also set in the time of the Roman Empire, but based on British soil, the two seasons of Britannia have proved huge hits for Sky/Now TV. And, if you don’t have a Sky or Now TV subscription, you may buy the box sets from multiple other digital stores.
The Last Kingdom
Originally started by the BBC but now a Netflix Original, The Last Kingdom is a historical drama in the Vikings mould, but almost from the other perspective. It is based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell and tells the tale of Anglo-Saxon England in the ninth and tenth centuries, following the emergence of Alfred the Great as king.
Another series based on a collection of novels, this time by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is slightly different to the others in this round-up as it features science fiction to go with its historical theme. That’s because it stars Caitriona Balfe as a WWII nurse who accidentally travels back to the Scottish highlands in 1743.
