6 Fantasy Shows Better Than A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms

Published Oct 18, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023. After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production. At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is one of the most buzzy fantasy TV shows airing today, thanks to its connection to the genre's biggest franchise. It's no surprise that the Game of Thrones universe has expanded into series like House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, as the books and shows in the universe are some of the most popular today. However, there are plenty of other works of fantasy that deserve attention. Compared to the best prequel TV shows of all time, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has a long road ahead of it. The lead actors, Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, are charming protagonists, but there must be more to a show than that. Many of the best parts of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are character relationships and tonal choices that other series have done better. From the comedic elements to the buddy-comedy relationship between the central characters, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms isn't doing anything that hasn't been done before. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 is coming soon, and it will be interesting to see how the series changes in its second installment. Lacking the gravitas of Game of Thrones and struggling to find its niche within high fantasy, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms hasn't yet made the impact that it could. Learning from even better fantasy TV shows could help the show in the years to come. Game Of Thrones (2011–2019) It's a little unfair to compare any TV show to Game of Thrones, as it's widely regarded as the best fantasy TV show of the 21st century so far. Viewers can't talk about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms without bringing up the project that started it all and inspired the two prequels. George R.R. Martin wrote the books and novellas both works are based on. However, the intricacies of the central novels in A Song of Ice and Fire paved the way for a show that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms hasn't yet lived up to. The Game of Thrones franchise will remain at the forefront of the fantasy conversation for years to come, even if the new series within the world might never reach the heights of the original show. Not only did Game of Thrones gain mainstream popularity, breaking out of the fantasy subgenre, but it changed how audiences interacted with the genre. For now, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is predominantly resonating with die-hard fans of the books, and audiences who hope to relive the magic of Game of Thrones. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997–2003) Putting a more supernatural spin on the fantasy genre, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is remembered as one of the most influential speculative fiction series of the past 30 years. Few shows within the genre can say they aren't at least partially inspired by the standard set by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, even if they're set in completely different universes. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's continued popularity isn't surprising, as the series worked hard to subvert the audience's expectations and flip fantasy tropes on their head. Sarah Michelle Gellar's work as Buffy was a career-defining role, and it's hard to say if the same will be true for either of the leads in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The character development across Buffy the Vampire Slayer's seven seasons is also a large part of what makes it relevant today. It's not fair to judge A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on its character work yet, as more seasons are coming, but the series should consider this as it evolves. Merlin (2008–2012) If the relationship between Dunk and Egg is part of the appeal of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Merlin's buddy-comedy central characters will scratch the same itch. The chemistry between Bradley James and Colin Morgan is one that will go down in history, making the modern adaptation of Arthurian legend stand out. Additionally, Merlin has fun with its medieval setting, putting its characters in silly situations while balancing the mysticism of Merlin's magic. Part of the reason that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been able to distinguish itself from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon is that it takes itself a little less seriously. The series isn't afraid to lean into the comedic side of the story, much like Merlin. Though there are plenty of moments throughout Merlin's four seasons that will bring a tear to the audience's eye, it's rare for an episode to pass without making the viewer laugh out loud, especially at the dynamic between Arthur and Merlin. The Wheel Of Time (2021–2025) Just three seasons long, it's a shame that The Wheel of Time never got the chance to take on the complex later additions to the book series by Robert Jordan. Featuring a fantastic ensemble cast led by Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, and Madeleine Madden, The Wheel of Time follows the traditional fantasy format of focusing on a wide variety of characters and tracking them until their stories overlap. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is primarily concerned with Dunk and Egg, and this can limit the scope of the story. Though short-lived, The Wheel of Time handles high fantasy better than A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms​​​​​. Additionally, for viewers who found the female characters in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms more reductive than other series in the Game of Thrones franchise, The Wheel of Time is the perfect show. The Wheel of Time features some of the best-written women in fantasy, letting them be complex, imperfect, and fiercely powerful onscreen. The Magicians (2015–2020) Bringing Lev Grossman's trilogy to life, The Magicians book adaptation for the screen proves that a series doesn't need to follow the novel to the letter to be effective. When The Magicians ran out of books to draw inspiration from beginning in its fourth season, as Grossman only wrote three installments, this was an opportunity, and The Magicians used it to grow. Though The Magicians season 3 is widely viewed as the best of the show, there's a lot to love about every season thanks to the enduring characters. Blending elements of magic school, referencing beloved works of fantasy, and always keeping a foot in the real world with its darkness and honesty, The Magicians has a better handle on its tone and source material than A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Where The Magicians thrives when it strays from Grossman's text and finds its own voice, it's clear that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is weighed down by the legacy of its franchise and doesn't yet know its place within it. His Dark Materials (2019–2022) Based on the fantasy trilogy of the same name by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials finally did justice to its source material after the failure of the 2007 film adaptation, The Golden Compass. Starring Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson as Lyra and Will, His Dark Materials is a too rare example of a fantasy TV show that gets the opportunity to bring every book in the series of its source material to life. The characters grow up while facing the challenges that come with their fantastical adventures, making His Dark Materials a brilliantly crafted series. While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms also features child actors and focuses on themes of found family with its characters, His Dark Materials is better at giving the younger characters a sense of depth and seriousness. The audience cares deeply about Lyra and Will, feeling the children's struggles as acutely as their own. It helps that the fantasy world of His Dark Materials is beautifully realized throughout the seasons, making the series easy on the eyes. Release Date January 18, 2026 Network HBO Showrunner Ira Parker Cast Peter Claffey Ser Duncan 'Dunk' the Tall Directors Owen Harris Writers George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker Franchise(s) Game of Thrones Creator(s) George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker