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Summary
late critically acclaim phantasy TV shows owe their success in part togreat ensemble casts . These mould contain novel natural endowment and veteran soldier actorswho are suited to dissimilar roles in the taradiddle , from mentor to protégés to villain . It is up to the cast to depict , alliance , contention , friendships , and romance , but also give a sense of how people who grew up in the show ’s stage setting see the world .
Fantasy TV showsoften feature casts of characters who mold together as a unit , as is the case withStranger thing , Wheel of Time , andAttack on Titan . However , sinceGame of Thrones’success , fancy series limn characters flung far and wide with storyline that only at times overlap have become more coarse . Additionally , a fantasy story is by nature obligated to earth - build , but the correct actor can make even exposition monologue interesting .
10Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Biggest Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder, & David Harbour
Cast
Stranger Thingslaunched several unseasoned stars to fame , including Finn Wolfhard and Millie Bobby Brown . As the characters and actors uprise up , theStranger Thingscastmaintained a Goonies - like sense of on - screen door camaraderie . While the primary group of kid and teenagers carries one part of the storey , the other one-half is lead by Winona Ryder and David Harbor as the master adult characters . The compounding of embarrassing kids and resolved adults comes together absolutely . However , the news report becomes more and more convoluted as the show goes on . The once charming stamp might not be enough to saveStranger Thingsseason 5 .
9Wheel Of Time (2021-Present)
Biggest Stars: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, & Madeleine Madden
Robert Jordan ’s monumental heroic illusion series was lastly accommodate by Amazon in recent years , withRosamund Pike taking on the lead role of wandering sorceress Moiraine Damodred . Pike is join by Daniel Henney , Madeleine Madden , Zoë Robins , Josha Stradowski , and Marcus Rutherford , who form the centralWheel of Timecastof six main characters who appear in every episode of the series so far . The cast carries the fancy news report well . However , none of them have the same ill fame as the star recruited for the like ofGame of Thrones , while the newer actors have failed to capture the same attention as Emilia Clarke or Kit Harrington .
Many studios have tried to recapture the success of Game of Thrones with their own fantasy appearance . Here are the reasons why it ’s so difficult .
8Attack On Titan (2013-2023)
Biggest Stars: Yûki Kaji, Bryce Pepenbrook, Yui Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kamiya, Jesse James Grelle, & Marina Inoue
Attack on Titanfeatures two castswho respectively voice the original Japanese version and the English dub of the show . The series depicts a walled refinement fight to fend off the Titans , non - sentient giants who eat humans . The story plaza on Eren Jaeger ( Yûki Kaji / Bryce Pepenbrook ) , who vow to put down all the Titans after his female parent is killed .
Eren and his best champion Armin Arlert ( Marina Inoue / Jesse James Grelle ) and Mickasa Ackerman ( Yui Ishikawa / Trina Nishimura ) join the armed forces together . While the histrion voice the new recruits render the various character ' personalities and relationships , amazing carrying out are move over by those toy their mentors : energetic Commander Hange Zoe ( Romi Park / Jessica Calvello ) and ruthless Captain Levi Ackerman ( Hiroshi Kamiya / Matthew Mercer).Attack on Titanis an acute show , and only a very talented representative cast could bring it to life .
7True Blood (2008-2015)
Biggest Stars: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Nelsan Ellis, & Alexander Skarsgard
found on Charlaine Harris’Sookie Stackhousenovels , dependable Bloodis a vampire show that arrived along withThe Vampire DiariesafterTwilightsaw monolithic success . The flaky serial starring Anna Paquin as Sookie features everything from lamia to werewolves to faery . Paquin is accompanied by Stephen Moyer as Sookie ’s main love involvement , vampire Bill Compton . Alexander Skarsgard is especially memorable as vampire Eric Northman , while Nelsan Ellis , Rutina Wesley , and Ryan Kwnaten also give notable performance . TheTrue Bloodcastplays out a morbid and tense story over the show ’s seven season .
6The Rings Of Power (2022-Present)
Biggest Stars: Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo, Markella Kavenagh, & Cynthia Addai-Robinson
TheLord of the Ringsprequel TV showThe Rings of Powercast many comparatively unknown actor . However , they prove that they can handle the larger - than - life quality of manyLord of the Ringscharacters . Morfydd Clark and Robert Aramayo play Galadriel and Elrond respectively , both impersonate a more young version of the wiseness the audience associates with the characters . Markella Kavenagh , Ismael Cruz Cordova , and Nazanin Boniadi lead storylines mostly separate from Galadriel and Elrond .
Kavenagh is one of the Harfoots , the ancestor of the Hobbits;Kavenagh ’s quality come across the"Stranger " ( Daniel Weyman ) who is theorize to be Gandalf . Cruz Cordova and Boniadi portray a star - crossed romance between a single human mother and an elf soldier . While the cast encompasses a lot of gift , several storylines inThe Rings of Powernever overlap , leaving audiences wonder if they will ever see particular persona interactions .
5Arcane (2021-Present)
Biggest Stars: Hailee Steinfeld, Harry Lloyd, & Katie Leung
place in the League of Legends universe , Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder ( late hex ) as they terminate up on opposite sides of a acquire conflict between the loaded Zion of Piltover and its glowering undercity whose citizens wish well to break aside from their oppressors . Hailee Steinfeld , Ella Purnell , and Kevin Alejandro whizz in this inspire escapade .
Hailee Steinfeld is the most well - known voice player ofArcane , based on theLeague of Legendsvideo game . However , the show includes a variety of talents who vocalise the other characters . Kevin Alejandro voice the passionate yet naive inventor turn over politician Jayce ; Harry Lloyd takes on Jayce ’s partner Viktor ; Katie Leung is Vi ’s ( Steinfeld ) headstrong friend and possibly eff interest ; Ella Purnell gives an impactful performance as Vi ’s violent sis Jinx . The voice actors effectively depict a complicated web of passionate friendship and rivalries among the charactersand will continue to do so inArcaneseason 2 .
4Shadow And Bone (2021-2023)
Biggest Stars: Jessie Mei Li, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, & Ben Barnes
base on Leigh Bardugo ’s bestselling Grishaverse novels , Netflix ’s Shadow and Bone pursue the story of Alina Starkov , an orphan and soldier who has released a office that could potentially set her country free . alternatively , Alina join an elect USA of soldiers recognise as the Grisha as the Shadow Fold , an field of mystic darkness that grow each class , threaten to envelop her universe . Alina quickly learns that nothing is as it seems , and it will take more than the power of magic to make it through .
Shadow and Bonefeatured many relatively unknown actorswho were perfect for their roles . Jessie Mei Li plays Alina Starkov , the protagonist of Leigh Bardugo ’s originalShadow and Bonetrilogy of novels . Li has interesting on - screen interactions with Ben Barnes , who plays the serial ' main villain .
Meanwhile , Freddy Carter leads a parallel storyline as Kaz Brekker , the leader of the gang known as the Crows . Kaz is a notoriously complex and foxy character in Bardugo ’s spinoffSix of Crows , but Carter lives up to the function . Amita Suman and Kit Young also shine as Inej Ghafa and Jesper Fahey , Kaz ’s most commit associates . TheShadow and Bonecastis complimented by other new actors , as well as Zoë Wanamaker as Alina ’s mysterious mentor Baghra .
From His Dark Materials to The Witcher , wizardly systems are an essential part of almost every fantasy story , and some TV shows arrest it correct .
3House Of The Dragon (2022-Present)
Biggest Stars: Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, & Paddy Considine
House of the Dragonrecruited several major stars to play a fresh set of political schemers inGame of Thrones’equally complex prequel . Paddy Considine plays the ailing King Viserys , while Matt Smith portrays his rogue brother Daemonand Rhys Ifans his corrupted adviser Otto Hightower . Olivia Cooke work Otto ’s daughter ; the dyad becomes one of the main military group behind the civic warfare for the Iron Throne . On the other side of the war is Emma D’Arcy as Viserys ' eldest girl Rhaenyra . D’Arcy playact their character with tangible wisdom and conclusion . House of the Dragonalso introduced Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as younger adaptation of Rhaenyra and Alicent , severally .
2His Dark Materials (2019-2022)
Biggest Stars: Dafne Keen, Amir Wilson, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, & Lin-Manuel Miranda
His Dark Materials , found on Philip Pullman ’s fantasy series of the same name , is in the main aboutLyra ( Dafne Keen ) and Will ( Amir Wilson ) navigating a world that wants to work them both . Keen and Wilson have amazing interpersonal chemistry that is seeming from their first tantrum together in the time of year 2 premiere . However , this series about small fry deciding which adult are allies and opposition would not be complete without the adult . Keen and Wilson are supported by old seasoned doer , admit Ruth Wilson and James McAvoy as Lyra ’s brilliantly corrupt parents Marisa Coulter and Lord Asriel . Lin - Manuel Miranda also demonstrates his acting talent completely divorced from his songwriting as Lee Scoresby .
1Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Biggest Stars: Peter Dinklage, Sean Bean, Emilia Clarke, & Kit Harrington
Based on George R. R. Martin ’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel serial , Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama specify in the fictional Continent of Westeros and Essos . It trace stately crime syndicate like the Starks , Lannisters , and Targaryen contend for control of the Iron Throne while a rise terror from the undead looms in the North . The series receive pregnant critical success and amassed a truehearted fan base due to its high product values , sprawling sets , iconic characters , and shameful twists .
At the time of its premiere , theGame of Thronescastincluded some well - known role player , but also made several more fantastically noted . Season 1 is lead by Sean Bean as Ned Stark , but other characters take over after the character ’s sudden death . The show ’s political conflict is dominated by Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey as siblings Tyrion and Cersei Lannister , with their chum Jaime attempting to act as an intermediary .
However , the stars who are most associated with the show are those who appear in supporting persona in the early seasons but become the main eccentric as other quality die off . This include Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark , Maisie Williams as her sister Arya , Kit Harrington as their alleged half - brother Jon Snow , and Emilia Clarke as the deposed heir Daenerys Targaryen . Game of Thronesis arguably the most successful TV show of the 21st century , due to its complex storytelling and amazing cast of regulars and resort characters .
Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
Based on Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling Grishaverse novels, Netflix’s Shadow and Bone follows the story of Alina Starkov, an orphan and soldier who has released a power that could potentially set her country free. Instead, Alina joins an elite army of soldiers known as the Grisha as the Shadow Fold, an area of mysterious darkness that grows each year, threatening to envelop her world. Alina quickly learns that nothing is as it seems, and it will take more than the power of magic to make it through.
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
