Time to talk about the best fantasy and sci-fi TV series! These are in no particular order. (disclaimer: my opinion only, subject to the shows I’ve seen, no responsibility will be taken for whether or not you also enjoy these. But if you do, let me know!)

#1 Merlin

The BBC strikes as always! For those in Australia you can watch this on ABC iView. It’s a fun, historical and magical take on the Arthurian legends. Merlin, a young and powerful warlock, must carry out his distinct magical role in protecting Prince Arthur, all the while hiding his powers from Arthur’s father, King Uther Pendragon. Each episode is accessible, fun and there’s tonnes of variety in the writing and storylines. This is really easy, comfortable viewing.

#2 Stranger Things

This show doesn’t need much of an introduction, but it brought back the intense, warm and nostalgic 80s vibes we were all missing. Yes, the later seasons did become a tad disappointing (in my opinion), but I did enjoy the ride. The story follows a group of characters in a small town called Hawkins, and the discovery of another world connected to the real one called the Upside Down, where monsters of varying description are found. These worlds become entwined, and keeping the lurking dangers away from the real world becomes the goal. There’s a character for everyone in this series, and each season is built on a story arc that continues to build toward the final season.

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#3 Buffy

Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it also fantastic? Yes! I have to admit I spend most of my time watching Buffy just to see if I can identify when the stunt double steps in for Sarah Michelle Gellar – the stunts and action are so fun. Essentially Buffy is a teenage girl in a town where vampires and other ghoully creatures attempt to kill humans and carry out other ghastly plots. Her job is to stop them, with the assistance of various friends and vampire-smooshing allies. It’s also deeply 90s nostalgic and for some curious reason (apparently) 16-year-olds go to a club regularly on a school night. Not sure why, but it happens a lot in this show 🤪 But I mean: vampires, trolls, demons, ghosts, and Anthony Stewart Head as a librarian? Thanks very much, I’ll take two.

#4 Andor

The Star Wars franchise has had its ups and down in writing, but Andor is a special moment for sure. This show is the lead up to the Rogue One film, a story many Star Wars fans are already familiar with (and to put this into context, Rogue One is the prequel to the very first Star Wars film released, which later became Episode IV. This is a whole thing, I know 🤪). So there’s an ongoing sense of anticipation as to how the elements will align toward that. The concept of a prequel is still alive and well!

The ultimate story focuses on Cassian Andor, and in a nutshell it’s about how the Rebel Alliance is formed. The cast is fantastic and the perfect combo of political and rebellious action brings it all to a boiling point, which is where Rogue One kicks off. What I also love is that Diego Luna and Adria Arjona, who play the two leads, also dubbed their roles for the Spanish translation of the series. Can you imagine acting your lines in English throughout production, then dubbing every single one of your lines again in Spanish? Such talent and dedication to the project. 🤘

#5 Shadow & Bone

Another one for the book-to-series fantasy fans – Shadow & Bone! This show comes with a sad face, because Netflix cancelled it when we were all just getting started. This series is based off two book series by Leigh Bardugo, focusing mainly on her Grishaverse. The basic premise is based on good and bad magical powers, with Ben Barnes as the bad guy (I love this guy for his acting and his music!), and he faces up to a stunning cast of fresh faces who I really wish had had more time to shine. Grrrr Netflix. There are a number of overlapping storylines (the Crows were my favourite) but ultimately Alina is trying to outrun General Kirigan (Barnes), who is attempting to utilise her powers to elevate his own. I really enjoyed it and will never forgive Netflix for cancelling it.

#6 Outlander

OK, this is one is mostly historical fiction mixed with fantasy. I have read 8 of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books, and anyone who has ready them will understand when I say the word looooong. Fabulous story and incredible research into the many time periods the story travels through, but still, looooong. I swear her editor did not cut a single line from her books. The series delves into a time travelling story that unites 1940s Scotland with 18th century Scotland. Claire travels back in time, meeting Jamie, a tall and proud highlander of the Fraser clan. Despite the strange circumstances their love brews into a fierce and passionate relationship. They’re budding romance is surrounded by historical events and conflict occuring between the Scots and the English. With Claire’s knowledge of the future she is able to speak into events happening in real time and offers whatever advice will be accepted without her being tagged as a witch. The TV series had an absolutely epic job ahead in trying to cram such huge amounts of story into neat and succinct episodes. They did a great job, but as the book series progressed events started to stretch out and you can tell the show producers went a little bit mash-mash on the last few books (a few of the later books were morphed into a single season). But I love the actors they picked, I always want more of Jamie and Claire’s story. Solid 9/10 for me.

Side note: Sam Heughan who plays Jamie in the show is a really interesting guy. His memoir, Waypoints, is probably my favourite audiobook memoir. Worth a listen.

#7 Blood of My Blood

This is a fabulous, written-for-TV prequel to Outlander! The writing is much better prepared for the TV series format, and it’s absolutely stellar that Diana Gabaldon is an executive producer on this – with a solid team of producers and writers this dives into the parents of Jamie and Claire in two separate times in history. I love love love Jamie’s mother, Ellen McKenzie. It dives into clan culture, alliances and politics, with a juicy dose of romance and longing. In the Outlander books you hear such incredible tales of Ellen’s character and this series really brings her to life. Again another historical fantasy fiction with deep dives into 18th century Scotland and time travel to the 1940s.

#8 Doctor Who

This is it – the peak, the ultimate, the native to this blog. Doctor Who is an establishment all on its own. A show that manages to reincarnate interest and obsession with every new Doctor and companion. My unexpected favourite has been Peter Capaldi, but honestly I love all Doctors for the variety and intrigue they bring. It’s a swirling mass of relationships, history, time travel, conflict and facing your own flaws all within a spaceship shaped like a British police box. This is a show to pass on to your children, for all future generations should keep a sonic screwdriver in their drawer for when the Doctor comes to call.

Have a good week!

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What I’m reading/finishing reading 
Road to Freedom by Gabrielle Davis
Dragon Silver by Anna Lauten ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Psykhe by Kate Forsyth
Written in my Hearts Own Blood (Outlander #8) by Diana Gabaldon