10 Obscure Fantasy TV Shows Hardly Anyone Remembers

While the most popular fantasy TV shows of the past few years have been crossover hits, unlikely to be forgotten, this isn't always the case with series within the genre. Like all shows, there are certain fantasy series that slipped under the radar and have been largely lost to time. Whether this was because they only ran for a few seasons or never found a strong audience base while they were airing, certain projects didn't receive the recognition they deserved. However, revisiting them now, or discovering them for the first time, is an exciting prospect.

These forgotten fantasy TV shows deserve a second chance, as they stand apart from the typical offerings of contemporary fantasy. Many of these projects were more experimental or subversive, tackling myths and folklore instead of adapting book series, which is common practice today. Due to this, these series serve as a time capsule of whatever era they're from, even if some of them didn't come out too long ago. However, no matter what decade they're from or what they're about, it's interesting to find new shows to get lost in.

10 BeastMaster (1999–2002)

Philosophy and religion buoy the action-packed stories of BeastMaster

Audiences outside of Australia and Canada might not be familiar with the 1999 show BeastMaster, which was developed from the 1982 movie of the same name. Set in a long-lost time when sorcery and magic were commonplace, BeastMaster follows Daniel Goddard as Dar, the protagonist of the series, wandering the world after his tribe is killed. Animals and mythical creatures play a significant role in BeastMaster, as well as the tension of magic fading to make way for civilization.

Merlin and Buffy the Vampire Slayer imagery

10 Fantasy TV Shows From The 1990s That Still Hold Up

Though fantasy television has been having a renaissance in recent years, many iconic shows from the 1990s have aged well & remain genre hallmarks.

Posts2

As the series progresses, Dar gains allies, forming the central group of BeastMaster, who fight against the forces of evil. Following the monster-of-the-week format, BeastMaster ran for three seasons and had a lot to say about philosophy and the treatment of others, even during its action-packed moments. Though the market for fantasy TV shows was at a high in the late 1990s,BeastMaster didn't rise to the top of the list, quickly fading from the cultural memory.

Title	IMDB Score
BeastMaster (1999–2002)	6.2/10

9 Carnivàle (2003–2005)

Dark themes and complex lore make Carnivàle a dense but rewarding fantasy title

Even though Carnivàle was short-lived, it packed a lot of tension and world-building into its two seasons. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in the United States, Carnivàle intertwined its mythology with the stories of global religions and used the conceit of a traveling carnival to move the story forward. Carnivàle was quickly hailed as a dark and gritty addition to the fantasy genre, concerning itself with the conflict between good and evil in every episode.

Title	IMDB Score
Carnivàle (2003–2005)	8.4/10

It might be surprising now, but when Carnivàle was airing, it was a draw for HBO during the early episodes and garnered several accolades. Particularly praised for the aesthetics and atmosphere of the physical production, Carnivàle was extremely immersive for a fantasy show from the early 2000s. Carnivàle wasn't afraid to lean into the heavy world-building and complex lore that can sometimes alienate viewers. However, for those who are interested in high fantasy with period elements, it's a great addition to the genre.

8 Camelot (2011)

A short-lived addition to the Arthurian canon

Every King Arthur movie and TV show takes a different approach to bringing the Arthurian legends to life. The 2011 series Camelot features an all-star cast with Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, Eva Green as Morgan, and Jamie Campbell Bower as Arthur. In Camelot, the series primarily focuses on the conflict between Arthur and Morgan as they struggle for power over Camelot. Though Camelot premiered at the same time as other iconic sword and sorcery epics like Game of Thrones, it never took off in the same way.

Though Camelot was a Starz production, it didn't lean too heavily into the graphic and gory elements that other contemporary fantasy were using.

The more famous series about Arthur and Merlin's early years, Merlin, began airing in 2008, and its success is likely part of the reason there wasn't as much of a demand for Camelot. Though Camelot was a Starz production, it didn't lean too heavily into the graphic and gory elements that other contemporary fantasy were using. However, Camelot does justice to the legacy of King Arthur, and the cast's chemistry is a great reason to watch the series.

Title	IMDB Score
Camelot (2011)	6.5/10

7 Cursed (2020)

An updated and romantic spin on Arthurian legend

One of the best fantasy TV shows with one season, Cursed uses elements of supernatural teen genres and classic magic tropes to craft an updated addition to the stories of King Arthur. Though Arthur does play a role in Cursed, it's Katherine Langford's Nimue, the iconic Lady of the Lake, who becomes a symbol of revolution within the story. Devon Terrell plays Arthur, and the two pair up to take on his corrupt father, who's targeting Nimue's people, the Fae.

Cursed does an excellent job of taking this ancient story and making it relevant and compelling for contemporary audiences. Sadly, Cursed is far from the only show Netflix has canceled after one season, even though the series had the potential to continue for many years. Langford rose to prominence in Netflix's Thirteen Reasons Why, but it was in Cursed that audiences witnessed a new side of her that was well-matched to the fantasy genre.

Title	IMDB Score
Cursed (2020)	6/10

6 Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015)

BBC's fantasy miniseries is a faithful adaptation of the book

The BBC miniseries based on Susanna Clarke's fantasy novel of the same name,Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, was popular with British audiences but didn't end up making a large international splash. Clarke is well-known for her contributions to the fantasy genre, including her recent work Piranesi. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a classic tale of magic and prophecy but with an adult edge and subversive sense of humor that will appeal to older audiences.

Using magic and historical fiction, the book and show blend the best of both genres for a unique atmosphere.

The title characters, played by Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan, have a dynamic chemistry that propels the story forward, making every scene they have together compelling. Though the series was always going to have only one installment, as the book has no sequels, it's a shame audiences never got more stories within the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Using magic and historical fiction, the book and show blend the best of both genres for a unique atmosphere.

Title	IMDB Score
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell	8/10

5 The Legend Of The Seeker (2008–2010)

Despite being produced by Sam Raimi, The Legend of the Seeker wasn't a roaring success

Sam Raimi might be best known for his Spider-Man movies and the Evil Dead franchise, but the filmmaker dipped his toe into fantasy, creating the 2008 TV show The Legend of the Seeker. Raimi also worked on series like Xena and Hercules, which were massive successes (via Collider). Based on the fantasy book series The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind, The Legend of the Seeker is a very loose interpretation of Goodkind's text, allowing the show to take dramatic liberties with the story.

Title	IMDB Score
The Legend of the Seeker (2008–2010)	7.6/10

However, changing a beloved book series for a screen adaptation is always a gamble, and The Legend of the Seeker only ended up running for two seasons. The visuals of the series are incredibly strong, with practical sets and wooded landscapes transporting the viewer directly into the action. Craig Horner and Bridget Regan led the cast as Richard and Kahlan, who carry much of the series' dramatic tension with their dynamic and action sequences.

4 Atlantis (2013–2015)

Greek mythology gets a new hero through a modernized Jason in Atlantis

Greek mythology has always been popular in media, andAtlantis was a strong reimagining of many of these iconic myths. Starring Jack Donnelly as a modern iteration of the legendary hero, Jason,Atlantis included figures of both Greek history and mythology alike, from Hercules to Pythagoras. Atlantis stood apart from other mythology shows as it began in the present-day, with Jason as a regular man who's transported to the otherworldly Atlantis.

25 Best TV Shows About Greek Mythology

From Hercules and The Odyssey to Xena and Wonder Woman, these are the best Greek mythology shows.

Posts2

Atlantis takes different Greek myths and stories and uses them as part of the monster-of-the-week format, with Jason usually playing the hero and saving the day. He's a strong protagonist, as he's familiar with our world and asks the right questions about Atlantis that are necessary for world-building. Though there was room for more episodes after the finale of season 2, Atlantis ends on a strong note and delivers a satisfying conclusion for audiences.

Title	IMDB Score
Atlantis (2013–2015)	6.5/10

3 The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022)

The son of the world's most dangerous witch fights to find himself in this fantasy series

Though The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself only came out a few years ago, few fantasy fans and critics remember the TV show. Canceled after season 1, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is a great addition to the canon of magical stories about witches, with Jay Lycurgo anchoring the narrative as Nathan. Alongside Nathan, the audience learns of a hidden world of sorcery that Nathan's always been connected to but never discovered until now.

Unfortunately, he's the son of a notoriously dangerous witch, and once the magical world acknowledges his existence, it isn't to invite Nathan to join their ranks. Throughout the season, Nathan faces many thrilling and gory challenges, amassing allies like Annalise (Nadia Parkes) and Gabriel (Emilien Vekemans) in his quest to find himself. Based on the YA novel Half Bad, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself takes the best of teen dramas and imbues it with just the right amount of magic.

Title	IMDB Score
The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022)	7.5/10

2 The Rook (2019)

A supernatural spy story with an intricate mystery box

The Rook

TV-MA

Mystery

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Drama

Thriller

Supernatural

The Rook is a supernatural thriller centered on a young woman who, having lost her memory, must navigate a world of intrigue and danger to reclaim her role in a secretive British agency. Released in 2019, the series explores themes of identity and betrayal amid a backdrop of mysterious powers.

Seasons: 1

Emma Greenwell is Myfanwy Thomas, a young woman who the audience follows throughout Rook as she attempts to piece her memory back together. It doesn't take long for her to discover that she can tap into powers other people only dream about and that she is part of Checquy, a secret agency full of mystical beings like her. However, Myfanwy's memory has been wiped, and it's clear that someone out there doesn't want her to reveal their secrets.

Based on the novel by Daniel O'Malley, The Rook balances elements of the espionage genre with Myfanwy's personal struggles and her attempts to navigate the hidden world around her.

Like any fantasy show that includes a mystery box, there are many convoluted plot points and misdirects to lead the audience and Myfanwy off course. It's a dark series that consistently puts Myfanwy in dangerous situations, forcing her to fight tooth and nail to survive. Based on the novel by Daniel O'Malley, The Rook balances elements of the espionage genre with Myfanwy's personal struggles and her attempts to navigate the hidden world around her.

Title	IMDB Score
The Rook (2019)	6.8/10

1 Tin Man (2007)

This revisionist take on The Wizard of Oz is aesthetically compelling

Though Zooey Deschanel was already a star in the making in 2007 when Tin Man premiered, the miniseries came out before her iconic performances in 500 Days of Summer and New Girl. Though audiences are used to seeing Deschanel in projects rooted in reality, she makes a believable Dorothy in the steampunk take on The Wizard of Oz, Tin Man. It's darker and more gritty than any other adaptation of L. Frank Baum's work. Tin Man isn't afraid to lean into the dystopian side of fantasy.

Title	IMDB Score
Tin Man (2007)	7/10

Overall, Tin Man received a positive critical and audience reception but has fallen out of favor in recent years as Deschanel's more prominent works have risen to fame. However, there's something compelling about this offbeat fantasy series, with strong visuals and a cohesive style that give the show an edge. Introducing elements of sci-fi and plenty of violence and gore, Tin Man is ripe for a resurgence in popularity, especially after the attention surrounding Wicked.

zo/span>lentz