15 Shows To Watch If You Miss Merlin

15 Shows To Watch If You Miss Merlin

Fans of the TV series Merlin, who miss the overarching themes of the show should check out these shows with similar references and stories.

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It has been almost a decade since BBC’s Merlin aired its final episode and many fans are still wishing there was more of it. Acting as a coming-of-age story for the legendary characters, it offered one of the most unique spins on the Arthurian legend. Lasting five seasons, this fantasy drama was full of laughter, adventure, and heart.

Unfortunately, many felt that the series ended just as it was getting good and while there were talks of a spin-off series, it never came to pass. So, for those who still miss the adventures of the young sorcerer, here are a few shows that may help fill the Merlin-shaped void in your life.

Updated on May 15th, 2021 by Kristen Palamara: Merlin was a lovable BBC series, and fans still watch and rewatch even though it stopped airing in 2012. The show had action, comedy, well-developed characters, supernatural, and magical moments between good and evil all set in Arthurian times. Shows like Merlin are specifically set in this time or at least have a lot of the same themes from magical beings to a balance of action and comedy. There are several shows like Merlin on Netflix, and other streaming services, that fans can move on to after watching the BBC Original Merlin.

15 Shadow And Bone (2021-)

Shadow and Bone is a new Netflix Original show that fans of Merlin will likely enjoy because it’s another fantastical show with a lot of supernatural and magical moments throughout.

Shadow and Bone follows a young soldier who discovers that she has a unique and magical power that might help the world the show is set in, similar to Merlin discovering his magic abilities. Both series have a lot of action that any fantasy fan would enjoy.

14 Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia (2016-2018)

Trollhunters is an animated Netflix Original series, but fans of Merlin will most likely enjoy the Guillermo del Toro work if they’re a fan of animated shows.

The show follows a young teen who is chosen to be the protector of the good trolls and help defend them from the evil villainous trolls that threaten their existence. There’s a lot of action, adventure, and more serious moments to balance the more comedic moments on the show making it similar to Merlin.

13 Sleepy Hollow (2013-2017)

Sleepy Hollow was an intriguing series that followed the legendary character Ichabod Crane waking up from death in modern times, and the Headless Horseman is resurrected with him. He teams up with modern detectives to solve a centuries-old mystery.

The show has magic, action, supernatural beings, and comedic camaraderie between its characters to keep any Merlin fan engaged.

12 Disenchantment (2018-)

Disenchantment is another animated series similar to Merlin and is set in a similar setting to the BBC show as well.

The fantasy series follows Bean, the reluctant princess to the kingdom of Dreamland, and her elf and demon friends. The series has magic, mayhem, comedy, action, and characters who bond throughout the series just like in Merlin.

11 Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

Penny Dreadful brings supernatural iconic literary characters to life throughout its series from Dr. Frankenstein to Dorian Gray in a similar way that Merlin brought to life Arthurian characters from the legends.

The series had tense action, intriguing recognizable characters, and enough magic and lore throughout to satisfy any Merlin fan.

10 Cursed (2020-)

Released earlier this year, Cursed also adds a twist to the Arthurian tale by focusing on an often overlooked character, the Lady of the Lake. Also named Nimue, she is most well-known for providing King Arthur with Excalibur.

Cursed follows her as a young Fey woman on a quest to get the fabled Sword of Power to Merlin after her own people are murdered by religious extremists working for King Uther. On her adventures, she encounters a range of other characters, from Arthur to Lancelot. The series stars Katherine Langford as the young sorceress.

9 The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)

The Shannara Chronicles also combines traditional fantasy with an interesting premise. It is set in a world where magic has replaced science after Earth was ravaged by nuclear war and it follows the quest of three young adventurers as they try to save their world from a demon apocalypse.

Like Merlin, the heart of the story lay in its complicated and admittedly angst-filled young characters as they try their best to fulfill their intertwined destinies. Unlike many fantasy shows, The Shannara Chronicles was notable for its strong female characters and its LGBTQ+ representation.

8 Camelot (2011)

For fans looking for a grittier retelling of the Arthurian Legend, Camelot is a must-see. Set after King Uther’s death, it follows Uther’s previously unknown heir, Arthur, and Merlin, as they try to rebuild their kingdom while the evil Morgan schemes to remove the young king from power.

While the series only lasted for one season, it still packed a lot of punch and this was, in part, due to its talented cast that included Jamie Campell Bower, Eva Green, and Joseph Fiennes.

7 Medici (2016-2019)

Merlin was also an intriguing political drama and Medici is a perfect watch for fans who loved this aspect of the show. Following the exploits of the famous banking family, the first season saw Richard Madden in the role of Giovanni de’Medici, as he unexpectedly finds himself at the helm of his family’s dynasty.

This underrated historical series provides a fascinating look at one of history’s most influential families. Notably, the series is filmed in Florence, which adds another layer of realism to the show. Fans of Merlin will also see a familiar face in Bradley James, who appears in the show’s second season as Giuliano de’ Medici.

6 Galavant (2015-2016)

For fans who loved the sillier aspects of Merlin, Galavant is a must-see. This musical fantasy comedy follows the knight Galavant and his quest to redeem his honor and win back his lost love.

While there are currently a lot of grim fantasy shows on TV, Galavant’s success lay in its ability to not take itself too seriously as it fantastically parodies both the fantasy and musical genre. This series is also perfect for a weekend binge-watch, with only 18 episodes.

5 Once Upon A Time (2011-2018)

One of the aspects that made Merlin so good was that it was able to both build on and subvert the legend it was based on. Once Upon A Time also does this spectacularly. It follows Emma Swan as she enters the town of Storybrooke and realizes that the fairy tales of her childhood are so much more than simple bedtime stories.

This fantasy drama has every fairy tale character imaginable, from Snow White to Rumpelstilskin, and in season five, they add their own take on the Arthurian Legend. Fans of Morgana will also love the show’s version of the Evil Queen, as she comes to be one of the show’s most complex and intriguing characters.

4 Da Vinci’s Demons (2013-2015)

As with the legendary wizard Merlin, most portrayals of Leonardo da Vinci are when he is old and grey. Da Vinci’s Demons, instead, tells the story of the young genius and his adventures in 15th century Florence, as he becomes embroiled in the power struggles of the Medici family and the Catholic Church.

Unlike many shows about historical figures, this series isn’t too concerned with historical accuracy and instead creates an intriguing version of da Vinci that is unlike any seen on TV before.

3 The Magicians (2015-2020)

The Magicians is perhaps one of the most underrated series of the last few years. Based on a series of books by Lev Grossman, it follows the story of Quentin Coldwater as he enrolls at a magical graduate school and learns that his favorite childhood books may be more real and dangerous than he ever thought.

While Merlin is a more traditional fantasy show, The Magicians consistently subverted expectations to create a series that is truly unlike any other on TV. It also never shied away from addressing complex social issues, like mental illness and addiction.

2 Robin Hood (2006-2009)

The tale of the man who steals from the rich to give to the poor is equally as well known as that of King Arthur. While there are many retellings of this classic tale, BBC’s 2006 series is notable for having the same style and tone as that of Merlin.

Robin Hood follows the titular character as he returns home and leads a band of outlaws to stop the tyranny of the villainous Sheriff Nottingham. The series also has a terrific performance from Richard Armitage, as Guy of Gisborne.

1 The Witcher (2019-)

The Witcher is perhaps the most popular fantasy show since Game of Thrones. Based on a series of books by Andrzej Sapkowski, it follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a magically enhanced monster-hunter, and his intertwined destinies with a mage and a crowned princess.

The series has everything fans love about Merlin, from the epic fight scenes to the hilariously odd friendship between Geralt and Jaskier, which is reminiscent of that of Arthur and Merlin. Admittedly, the series does take some time to hit its stride, but when it does, it keeps viewers glued to their seats. There is currently only one season of the show, with the second expected to air later next year.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/shows-if-you-miss-merlin/

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