Written by Jessica Budin
This might sound like a lie, but from one non-Game of Thrones viewer to … millions of people who actually are, I know how you feel. While the fire of frustration has petered down to a low smoulder (not unlike the remains of Kings Landing), you’re still dissatisfied with the conclusion to the saga that you’ve dedicated years – I repeat, YEARS – of your binging hours to, all to see who will sit their murderous tush on that Iron Throne.
Also Bran the Broken!? For real?! That in itself is a whole other issue regarding language around disability in fiction, but is he King material? That’s a debate that’ll leave the rest of the Internet plenty of dirt to dig into for generations.
So before you go tearily add your name to that petition, or set a whip to poor ol’ George R.R. Martin to get cracking on the ‘real’ ending, why don’t you pick up a show to fill that ashy, dead hole that Drogon created in your soul? From political intrigue and luscious world-building, to gory battles and a refreshing lack of incest (*shudder*), here are some gentle suggestions for quality series that are not only dropping new episodes this year, but will treat your Game of Thrones withdrawal.
Vikings
(2013-Current)
Did you ever wish the Wildlings had their own spin off series? Well fear not, because you’ll get that and all the elements of Game of Thrones you loved – family politics, invasions, furry fashion statements, and steamy alfresco love-making; you know, all that vital plot stuff – with Vikings, the historical drama that announced its final, sixth season in January 2019.
Set in medieval Scandinavia, Vikings follows the legacy of Norse Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel, also known for his leading turn as Anduin Lothar in 2016’s Warcraft) a lowly farmer that eventually raises to fame and glory through raids on English soil. Plus he’s totally convinced that he’s directly descended from the god Odin, so don’t think you’re losing any characters with over-inflated egos, as they are all here for your viewing pleasure!
The series also features Katheryn Winnick (Call of Duty: WWII) as the wife not to be trifled with Lagertha, Clive Standen (2015’s Everest) as jealous younger sibling Rollo, and Gustaf Skarsgård (Westworld) as Ragnar’s boat-building buddy Floki, who also thinks he’s descended from the gods (taking friends with common interests to another level); all whom seek any available clutches onto power and rule.
From Michael Hirst, the series creator of The Tudors and Oscar winning film Elizabeth, Vikings is dark, moody, and a binging delight that’ll make you forget that there aren’t any dragons; who needs ‘em when you’ve got Valhalla?
3%
(2016-Current)
Yeah yeah, we know this isn’t a “fantasy” series! While there is a distinct lack of magic, what this show doesn’t lack is dirty politics, bloody underground movements, mysterious government schemes, and the raunch factor that’ll make you come back for more!
Debuting in 2016, what makes 3% special is that it was the very first Portuguese-language Netflix original series to launch on the platform (which you can watch with the – frankly – often laughable English dub) and was renewed for a third season which has just dropped!
If you haven’t yet seen the series that makes The Hunger Games look like a middle-school mishap, the story follows a poverty stricken future on the “Inland”, where 20-year old citizens have the single opportunity to participate in “The Process”, a controlled set of gruelling tasks and puzzles that will either have you eliminated back to the Inland, or brutally killed.
Those lucky “three-percent” that make it through to the end are shipped to the utopian “Offshore”, where the creme-de-la-creme of humanity get to live in peace and prosperity forever. However, the underground “Cause” hope to infiltrate The Process and take it down once and for all, which is where a handful of our survivalist main characters come in.
With a talented Brazilian cast, 3% is unforgiving and often times brutal, with incredible character development that’ll have you despising a character one moment, but then praying for their survival by the end of the season. If you’re looking for a creative, non-Westernised take on the dystopian narrative, secretly want to take down your local government, or have gone to a murder mystery party once or twice in your life, make sure to catch up on 3% before the launch of Season 3 this month.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
(2019)
While puppets like E.T. and the creatures from Labyrinth properly had me spooked as a child, I can’t help but get caught up in the excitement around this recently announced prequel series to Jim Henson’s iconic 1982 feature, The Dark Crystal. Plus the transition from Game of Thrones will be made easy, with a fan favourite character taking on a main lead in this whimsical yet dark universe!
You’ll want to take a break after a near decade of CGI straining your eye-balls, as this practical effects paradise takes place once more in the world of Thra; the overthrown home of the Gelflings, under the clutches of the bird-like Skeksis. When Deet, played by Nathalie Emmanuel (also known as everyone’s favourite GoT servant, Missandei) receives a vision of “the Darkening”, she bands together with her friends Rian and Brea, played respectively by Taron Egerton (everyone’s favourite Elton John impersonator in this year’s Rocketman), and Anya Taylor-Joy (well known for her role as Casey Cooke in Shyamalan’s Split and Glass) to lead the rebellion against the Skeksis.
While we have no clear picture on how these characters will eventually lead us to the events of The Dark Crystal, what involvement the Mystics will have and if Frank Oz will even return to the role of The Chamberlain (as the role is currently marked ‘TBD’) the star studded cast-list is sure to impress, with the likes of Simon Pegg, Andy Samburg, Natalie Dormer, and Mark Hamill attached to the series.
Khaleesi, Mother of What Now? That doesn’t matter anymore, as you can catch The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix from August 30th.
Chernobyl
(2019)
Why not try a slice of darkness and disaster that’s literally a little closer to home? The HBO mini-series that has caused the most controversy on this list, including the echo of awkwardly clearing throats across Russia, Chernobyl is a confronting, spine-tingle-inducing yet incredible piece of television that will blow your socks off (too soon? Yeah, too soon.)
Assuming we all zoned out in our eighth grade history class (guilty!) Chernobyl dramatises the infamous nuclear spill in the titular town in Ukraine, April 1986, which is still considered to be one of the worst man-made disasters in history. The resulting radiation led to hundreds of cancer/exposure related deaths and the irreversible destruction of an entire community. The reality of history is what makes this show even more terrifying, and exactly why you’ll be glued to the screen.
Starring Jared Harris (best known for his turn in Mad Men), Stellan Skarsgård (do we even need to remind you of his role in the Marvel CU?), and Emily Watson (a veteran in the British acting books, known recently for her role in Kingsman: The Golden Circle), just like the gaseous fumes which set this story in motion, Chernobyl can’t be neatly contained. It is creepy, grim, and smarter than most of the shows currently on the block. The show is a unforgiving critique of broken institutions, and the self-destructive secrecy that remains all too relevant in the current political climate. And with only 5 episodes, you’ll fly through this series with your jaw on the floor.
The series is created by American screenwriter and director Craig Mazin (best known for his work on the last two The Hangover movies, Identity Thief, and his co-hosting role on the well-loved screenwriting podcast, Scriptnotes) and directed by Johan Renck (an experienced musician who also directed the pilot episode for Vikings!). You can catch the series on HBO, along with the companion podcast The Chernobyl Podcast, which you can listen to on Apple Podcasts or the HBO YouTube channel.
The Witcher
(2019)
The final show on this prescription for post-GoT life has the potential side effect to cause its fair share of outrage, as we wait for the television adaptation of The Witcher, based on the rabidly popular book and game series of the same name.
The two man team behind the series, Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko, are sure to bring their experience working on the CGI intros to the game series into the small screen debut, with ex-Superman Henry Cavill playing the iconic Geralt of Rivia, a “witcher” (aka monster hunter) that roams the lands, using his supernaturally modified abilities to slay beasts and protect humanity; but are they the ones that need protecting, or protection from?
With upcoming actresses Anya Chalotra playing Gerlat’s “soul-mate” Yennefer, and Freya Allan as the princess Ciri, a lot of expectation is riding on this series, with criticisms already being lodged at various sneak-peak releases, most notably Cavill’s make-up test.
Whether you’re a fan of the original books or games, or are yet to get familiar with this well loved series, the show should hopefully promise to be as brutal and bloody as the former incarnations have shown. Not much has been said of the story within the show; all we know is that there will be 8 episodes that are due to debut on Netflix in late 2019.
If you have the energy to get into another sub-Reddit shouting match, it is highly recommended to give this show a shot. Whether you’re on the defensive or offensive for The Witcher, that’s for you to decide!
In the bungled words of a wise-man, when you play a game of binging, you win or you re-watch Game of Thrones – but there’s nothing wrong with a little change!
