Forget 'Game of Thrones,' This Epic Fantasy Masterpiece Deserves a Streaming TV Adaptation

Published Aug 18, 2026, 7:18 PM EDT Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics. As the number of fantasy shows continues to grow, it’s important to remember that many of the best stories on television originated from books. From Game of Thrones to The Wheel of Time, adaptations have become a staple of the genre, and with upcoming shows set to adapt Fourth Wing and The Stormlight Archive, they aren’t going away any time soon. One series that needs to be added to the list is the Gael Song saga by Shauna Lawless. The historical fantasy offers political turmoil, ambitious characters, and secret magic, delivering all the ingredients for an unforgettable TV series. The series, which begins with Lawless' debut novel, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, consists of four books to date, with a fifth installment set for release in November. Unlike many books adapted for TV, the length of Gael Song isn’t too daunting, especially since, after book three, the story moves to a new era, where the conflict continues with a new generation. With complex female characters, real-world historical inspiration, and an epic magical rivalry, any potential adaptation can set itself apart in the ever-growing genre while still offering everything fans want. While many books have long deserved to be brought to the screen, the Gael Song series should be at the top of the list. What Is the ‘Gael Song’ Series About? The Gael Song saga draws inspiration from both a tumultuous time in history and Irish mythology, featuring a war brewing among mortal kings and animosity between two immortal factions: the Fomorian, who wield destructive fire magic, and the Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann, who have more varied gifts including healing and battle techniques. Due to a long-standing hatred and the fading of magic, both races are dying out, but that doesn’t stop them from trying to kill each other. Because there are only two surviving Fomorians, they survive by hiding their powers and disguising themselves as humans; Gormflaith lives as a Viking queen in Dublin and dedicates her time to securing power for her beloved mortal son, Sitric. Through political machinations and a fair bit of murder, Gormflaith fights for her son, but she and her brother still hope to kill the Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Meanwhile, the Descendants believe that the Fomorians are gone and therefore venture out of their hidden fortress to watch the mortals’ chaos and manipulate it where they can. After Fódla’s sister is exiled for breaking the rules by having a child with a mortal, Fódla herself is allowed to raise the boy while spying on Brian Boru, the King of Munster. Disguised as a horribly scarred healer, she becomes close to the mortals of Boru’s kingdom, particularly the king’s oldest son, Murchad. Yet, despite her disillusionment with her people’s laws following her sister’s fate, Fódla cannot break the rules without putting her beloved nephew in danger. With Tomas, the Tuatha Dé Danann’s manipulative leader, watching her every move closely, Fódla must tread lightly. The ‘Gael Song’ Series Is Perfect for Television's Next Big Adaptation The fantasy genre is well-established, but the Gael Song series already has everything it needs for the perfect adaptation, from an action-packed story to a unique magic system to complex characters. Not only can the series' historical influence set it apart from the crowd, but it also notably follows two influential women, between Gormflaith’s greater ambitions and Fódla’s growing rebellion. With morally gray characters and heavy political maneuvering on both sides, the Gael Song series is reminiscent of Game of Thrones and other popular fantasies without being too similar. The series is the perfect story to be the next big fantasy series, and it might just happen. Last fall, Lawless announced that Playground Entertainment had optioned the TV rights to her series. Of course, that is no guarantee, and there are many hurdles still to cross, but it's a step in the right direction for Gael Song to become the epic TV series it deserves to be.