We discuss 7 Fantasy TV Shows like His Dark Materials you must watch. Add these excellent recommendations to your watchlist.
When His Dark Materials first premiered in 2019, fans of the series of books by Philip Pullman were thrilled to have a more accurate adaptation of the beloved fantasy story. The first book, published in 1995, had a previous film adaptation in 2007 that was criticized for its screenplay and characterization. The fantasy series followed young orphan Lyra through her adventures in a multi-world reality. There are witches, mysteries, prophecies, and animal companions that are the manifestation of souls.
If you’ve finished the third (and final) season of His Dark Materials and are looking for something else to watch, we have some suggestions for other similar series.
7 Fantasy TV Shows like His Dark Materials you must watch
Shadow and Bone (2021-Present)
Netflix series Shadow and Bone is also a book adaptation like His Dark Materials; however, it is developed based on two series of books by Leigh Bardugo. Both the Shadow and Bone and the Six of Crows series exist in the same world, the Grishaverse, and the television series balances stories and characters from both. Both Shadow and Bone and His Dark Materials feature young women as their protagonists, though Alina has actual powers. Alina, like Lyra, must try to figure out who is a friend and who is an enemy as she is pulled into the world of the Darkling. The series features Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, and Zoë Wanamaker.
Willow (2022-Present)
Rather than being based on a book, Willow is the continuation of the 1988 film. The brand-new series on Disney+ features a group of heroes, mostly youngsters, traveling on a dangerous quest. Much like in His Dark Materials, these young people in this high fantasy series must attempt to save their world from evil. The series features Warwick Davis, Ellie Bamber, Erin Kellyman, and Christian Slater.
A Discovery of Witches (2018-2022)
Another literary adaptation is A Discovery of Witches, based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. This more adult series follows a historian and witch named Diana Bishop who must attempt to solve a mystery with the help of a vampire. It’s also a dark fantasy with magic and alliances between rival factions. The series features Matthew Goode, Teresa Palmer, and Alex Kingston.
Carnival Row (2019-Present)
Another fantasy series, which will have its final season in February 2023, is Amazon Prime Video’s Carnival Row. This neo-noir fantasy follows mythological creatures who exist in Victorian-era human society along with an investigation of mysterious murders. It’s a similarly big-budget fantasy series like His Dark Materials, though it features more romance. The series features Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevigne, Tamzin Merchant, and Indira Varma.
The Sandman (2022-Present)
The Sandman is adapted from the 1989-1996 comic books by Neil Gaiman of the same name, which was published by DC comics. Available on Netflix, it has been praised for its source accuracy, much like His Dark Materials. It follows Morpheus who escapes captivity after a century and travels across timelines and realities, trying to fix everything that occurred in his time in captivity. The series features Tom Sturridge, Boyd Holbrook, Patton Oswalt, David Thewlis, Jenna Coleman, and Gwendoline Christie.
Sweet Tooth (2021-Present)
Another comic book adaptation is Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, based on the DC comic by Jeff Lemire. A pandemic caused a wave of children born part human, part animal. However, some humans are afraid of the hybrids and attempt to hunt them down. While the people themselves are part-animal rather than having animal companions, it does seem likely to appeal to fans of His Dark Materials. The series features Nonso Anozie, Christian Convery, Adeel Akhtar, and Stefania LaVie Owen.
Stranger Things (2016-Present)
While Stranger Things is definitely more of a science-fiction than a fantasy show, it does have some similar elements to His Dark Materials. This critically successful Netflix series also features a young female protagonist (El, played by Millie Bobby Brown) and sees a group of people navigating an alternate dimension. The series features Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Joe Keery, Gaten Matarazzo, and in later seasons Sadie Sink and Joe Quinn.
Do you have any other recommendations for Fantasy TV Shows like His Dark Materials? Let us know!
