Forget ‘Game of Thrones,’ Brandon Sanderson's Beloved Book Series Could Be The New Hit Fantasy Show

Published Oct 27, 2026, 4:14 PM EDT Abby Jackam is a contributer for Collider and ShowSnob, a media journalist for Trill Mag, and an aspiring novelist. She graduated Washington State University Vancouver in 2025 with a Bachelor's degree in Humanities. Whenever she can, Abby is writing. From research papers to book reviews, Abby's passion lies in storytelling and literary pursuits. Game of Thrones often comes to mind when thinking about epic fantasy. With good reason too. George R. R. Martin's book series, turned TV show by HBO, was a genre-defining hit. The political intrigue and expansive world building captivated audiences from the start. When considering other fantasy stories, Game of Thrones is often thrown in for comparison. With HBO's spin-off series House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms continuing the tales of Westeros, audiences have shown a clear desire for sprawling, fantasy tales. But Game of Thrones might have some competition. While George R. R. Martin has a clear hold on the fantasy genre, he isn't the only notable name. Brandon Sanderon's massive body of work is full of lush world building and complicated characters, but has yet to have been adapted into a visual medium. With a show announced to be in development, audiences may be introduced into Sanderson's epic world in the next few years. With Game of Thrones and Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive seemingly very similar, their noticeable differences might make Brandon Sanderson's story the next big fantasy show for audiences to obsess over. 'The Stormlight Archive' Heavily Focuses on the Magic System Image via Michael Whelan The Stormlight Archive is a high fantasy series set within Brandon Sanderson's connected Cosmere universe. Set on the planet Roshar, the land is ravaged by powerful thunderstorms that contain a mystical substance called 'Stormlight' that can be trapped within gemstones. The planet is home to humans and a humanoid species called singers, who are largely enslaved. Centuries after the mystical warriors called Heralds abandoned the world, the war between humans and singers has raged on for too long. From the perspective of high officials, enslaved soldiers, and mystical intellectuals, The Stormlight Archive is a sweeping drama full of political manipulation, comradery in times of war, and ancient magic. Science and magic might seem like opposites, but Brandon Sanderson says otherwise. The Stormlight Archive is filled with spirits, powerful gods, and strange creatures, but the books dedicate extra attention to understanding these mystical beings. The society on Roshar is deeply divided by gender, with men serving in war while women pursue intellectual studies. Many of the prominent female characters devote their time to understanding the mysteries of their planet, the cause of their war, and their complicated history. The care Sanderson put into exploring the science behind Roshar's magic makes it feel tangible in a way Game of Thrones doesn't explore. Through this hyper-examination of the world, The Stormlight Archive has a detailed level of realism, even for a fantasy world. Brandon Sanderson Doesn't Rely on Shock Value Game of Thrones is known for many things. From utilizing a wide cast of characters to exploring a region of fantasy land through a complex political web, there is much to be said about the series. But many fans can associate it with the shocking twists the series takes, often leading to dire consequences for their beloved characters. While this can be an engaging writing device to hook viewers, Brandon Sanderson takes another approach. Brandon Sanderson's work is meticulously planned out. Each character undergoes a major character arc, with the seeds of their progression planted from the very beginning. That's not to say that The Stormlight Archive series isn't full of shocking developments, but they're hinted at all throughout the story. It's only when the whole puzzle comes together that the reader can understand what Sanderson intended from the start. The twists feel earned and cohesive with the story, not just used for shock value. When a character dies or a mystery is uncovered, the reader feels as though they were carried through the action, not just thrown into the aftermath. Game of Thrones became an iconic show that millions of viewers gravitated towards. It's a real possibility that when Brandon Sanderson's work is adapted into a show, The Stormlight Archive could summon those same fantasy fans back. While any fantasy story suffers from comparison to George R. R. Martin's work, the beloved characters and epic mysteries from The Stormlight Archive could possibly match Game of Thrones as a titan of the fantasy genre.