12 Lesser-Known Fantasy Series Actually Worth Watching

Here are just some of the lesser-known shows that are absolute gems in the world of fantasy.

1. The Outpost (2018-2021)

Talon, the last surviving member of the Blackblood race, is seeking vengeance on the men who wiped out her village. She discovers she has the rare power to summon a demon from the netherworld. Alongside her motley team—Garrett the soldier and Janzo the brewer—she fights against an oppressive regime known as the Prime Order. Add some mystical creatures called Lu-Qiri and you got a jam-packed adventure.

2. Legend of the Seeker (2008-2010)

Based on Terry Goodkind's books, this series follows Richard Cypher, who finds out he's not just a woods guide but a "Seeker of Truth". Armed with a magical sword and joined by a confessor named Kahlan and a wizard named Zedd, he sets out to defeat the tyrant Darken Rahl. Along the way, they tackle a plethora of magic-infused problems and deal with the Book of Counted Shadows, a guide to mastering dark magic.

3. The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)

Ever wonder what a post-apocalyptic fantasy would look like? This series answers that question. Earth is now known as the Four Lands, inhabited by humans, elves, dwarves, and trolls. Amberle, an elf princess, Wil, a half-human/half-elf, and Eretria, a human rover, embark on a quest to save a magical tree that shields the world from demons.

4. Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

Set in Victorian London, the show brings together folks like Victor Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and Van Helsing. They unite to assist a gunslinger, Ethan Chandler, and the tormented Vanessa Ives in defeating demonic forces. Picture Frankenstein's monster giving you existential musings, witches performing dark rituals, and werewolves adding to the chaos.

5. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2015)

The British stiff upper lip meets fantasy. This seven-part series is based on a novel that's like Jane Austen with a magical twist. Mr. Norrell is a reclusive magician who brings magic back to England during the Napoleonic Wars. Jonathan Strange becomes his pupil, but they clash on the use of magic—Norrell is cautious; Strange is adventurous. Both have to deal with fairy enchantments, and discover the mysterious Raven King, the founder of English magic.

6. Carnival Row (2019-2023)

You ever wonder what Victorian England would look like if you threw in some faeries, centaurs, and political intrigue? Look no further. Carnival Row offers a unique blend of fantasy and detective noir, where mythical creatures have fled their homeland due to war and settled in a human city. A human detective, Rycroft, and a refugee faerie, Vignette, rekindle a dangerous affair amidst a string of unsolved murders.

7. Shadow and Bone (2021-present)

Based on the Grishaverse novels by Leigh Bardugo, this Netflix original takes place in a war-torn world where a lowly soldier named Alina discovers she has a power that could unite her country. After unleashing an extraordinary magic to save her best friend, Mal, she's taken to train with the Grisha, an army of magical soldiers led by General Kirigan. Little does she know, her power is coveted by many, and she's at the center of a massive power struggle.

8. Warrior Nun (2020-2022)

Angsty teenage drama meets holy crusade in this one. After waking up in a morgue, Ava discovers she's been imbued with divine powers by an ancient order of nuns sworn to combat demonic forces on Earth. She's the chosen Halo-Bearer, and she's got a lot to learn—both about controlling her newfound powers in a world filled with celestial artifacts, rogue demons, and secret societies.

9. The Merlin's Apprentice (2006)

Not to be confused with the much more famous The Magicians, this miniseries revolves around a young orphan named Jack who discovers he's the last living descendant of Merlin. Guided by an old sorcerer and a 300-year-old ghost, Jack goes through a crash course in magic to stop an impending doom brought about by an evil sorceress.

10. Midnight, Texas (2017-2018)

Imagine a place where witches, psychics, and vampires are your next-door neighbors. That's Midnight, Texas. Manfred, a psychic con artist, seeks refuge in this weird little town and quickly gets entangled in its supernatural shenanigans. There's a prophecy, a talking cat, and even a face-off with Hell itself.

11. Britannia (2017-2021)

The show is set in 43AD when the Romans invaded Britannia, a land ruled by warrior women and powerful Druids. It focuses on the conflict between the Roman army, led by General Aulus, and the Celtic tribes. What's the twist? Well, there's a prophecy about a demon-taming chosen one, and Aulus seems to have a dark agenda of his own involving the Druids' mystical knowledge.

12. A Discovery of Witches (2018-2022)

When historian Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch, stumbles upon an enchanted manuscript, she's sucked into a world she's been avoiding all her life. Vampires, witches, and demons aren't just myths—they're real and they all want what Diana's found. Teaming up with Matthew, a vampire geneticist, she unravels magical secrets that challenge the supernatural existence.