Emily Flores
Medieval shows have taken TV by storm, but let’s be honest—not all of them live up to the hype. Some get the sword fights right but fail to deliver the complex characters we crave. Others have spectacular storylines, but leave us yawning with their dismal visuals. So, keep reading, and find out the ones that are worth your time.
10. Knightfall
Ever wondered what took down the Knights Templar? “Knightfall” digs into it with themes of betrayal and protection. And yes, that’s Mark Hamill in Season 2, playing a grizzled warrior who clearly knows his way around a broadsword. However, viewers felt that the emotional engagement created by some other shows was missing in this one.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
9. Shadow And Bone
A Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, “Shadow and Bone”, merges medieval visual elements with supernatural themes. Noteworthy is the production’s stylistic choice to model the costumes after 18th-century Russian attire, which enhances the show’s aesthetic distinctiveness (not enough to get it a third season, though).
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
8. Legend Of The Seeker
This show is a television remake of Terry Goodkind’s “Sword of Truth” series, which presents a traditional fantasy narrative centered on heroic destiny. But this traditionality makes the show feel formulaic. Filmed in New Zealand, it utilizes many of the same locations featured in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
7. The Witcher
“The Witcher” gives medieval grit a modern twist. Based on Sapkowski’s books, it follows Geralt, a monster hunter who fearlessly rides into danger. In fact, that’s really Henry Cavill doing those sword fights, as he performed many of the stunts himself. He is certainly the best part of the show for lots of viewers.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
6. Merlin
When destiny, dragons, and teenage secrecy collide, they give birth to this show. This BBC production follows a young wizard hiding his powers while babysitting a royal. “Merlin” doesn’t take itself too seriously; with all of its whimsical elements, the show is like an accessible take on the Arthurian legend.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
5. Marco Polo
“Marco Polo” takes you straight into the court of Kublai Khan, where diplomacy and danger go hand in hand. It’s part history, part epic adventure. Fun fact: Netflix shelled out big for this one (almost $90 million!). It is one of their most expensive shows ever, which is also why it was canceled.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
4. Castlevania
Castlevania blends gothic horror with medieval fantasy, adapting the video game franchise into a striking animated series. Though it takes creative liberties, the action scenes stand out, rooted in historical swordplay techniques that bring visual realism to the big screen. Fair warning: it’s rated “TV-MA,” meaning it’s for Mature Adults.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
3. The Last Kingdom
This one’s a great choice for fans of action-packed period storytelling. Even the characters are multi-faceted and go through significant development throughout the run. It was adapted from Bernard Cornwell’s “Saxon Stories,” which follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a character based on a real ruler.
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
2. Vikings
This popular show tells the story of a figure rooted in Norse legend, Ragnar Lothbrok, with historical attention to detail. The series stands out for choreographing battle scenes with authentic medieval techniques on the rugged coastlines of Scandinavia, to the lush fields of England and France. It effectively enhances its credibility as a historical drama.
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Game Of Thrones
Adapted from George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones” has reshaped the medieval fantasy genre. Layered politics and bold character arcs are just some of the interesting parts of this show. If we ignore the ending, the rest of the show is rich with lore and history.
IMDb Rating: 9.2/10