13 Shows to Watch While You Wait for That Battle on 'House of the Dragon'
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Has the season 2 finale of House of the Dragon left you with an incredible show hangover? Are you craving even more intense inner-family rivalries and literal cut-throat betrayal? Good. We are too. That’s why we took it upon ourselves to hunt down the best shows that are even remotely close to our favorite Westerosi soap opera. While they might not have Targaryens, they do have plenty of HotD-level drama.
With a long wait ahead of us for season 3, there’s plenty of time to find a new show that’ll fill the dragon-shaped hole in your heart. Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to rewatch Game of Thrones for the umpteenth time. Instead, we’ve found a wide range of fictional worlds for you to delve into at your leisure. From contemporary retellings of Shakespeare’s King Lear to historical dramas based on true events, these shows are great options for anyone who loves HotD.
Succession
If you’re hooked on the city-leveling melodrama between the Targaryens on HotD, you’ll love the satirical black comedy-drama Succession. Boasting four seasons, this widely acclaimed HBO show is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear that reimagines an entire kingdom as a Murdoch-esque media empire. After the patriarch of Waystar Royco, Logal Roy, is hospitalized, the remainder of the family vie for the title of CEO and will stop at nothing to destroy each other in the process.
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Shōgun
Fans of HotD’s slower pacing and intense power struggles should put this historical drama next on their list. Set in the year 1600 when Japan is on the cusp of a new era, this adaptation of James Clavell’s novel follows the story of two unlikely conspirators: an English sailor shipwrecked in a foreign country and a Japanese lord with powerful enemies and a valuable translator. A few episodes in, you’ll see why this is the most-nominated series at the Emmys this year.
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Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
High fantasy lovers will find their obsession with magic and mythical creatures completely satisfied by this prequel to The Lord of the Rings. Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth with a strong emphasis on the Elf and Dwarf communities, it follows the events prior to the formation of the rings of power, building the stage for the future of the franchise. A second season is already on the way.
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The Wheel of Time
If you’re craving a show that turns fantasy elements on high, this series starring Rosamund Pike should be next on your list. Based on the novels of the same name by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time is set in a world where magic exists—and only certain women can access it. After the strange Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) comes to their town to deliver a prophecy, a group of five villagers’ lives are completely altered. They’re forced to make a decision to save their world or risk the Dark One taking over.
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Vikings
With six seasons in the original series and two seasons in the spinoff (Vikings: Valhalla), this epic historical drama follows the story of one Viking hero as he helps expand the Norse empire. Much like HotD, there’s tons of political intrigue and bloody battles.
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Black Sails
A prequel to Treasure Island, this pirate adventure follows the most feared pirate on the sea: Captain Flint. Teeming with debauchery and treachery, Black Sails is like an even grittier version of HotD on the sea. If you wish you saw more of the Velaryon fleet this season, this is your next show.
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Yellowstone
Questionable alliances? Check. Murder? Check. Complicated family dynamics and never ending conflict? Check and check. This Kevin Costner-led drama is basically an American version of HotD set on a ranch in Montana. Once you catch up to the current fifth season, make sure to dive into the many spinoffs too, like 1883 and 1923.
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The Crown
Based on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, this award-winning show puts the high stakes of the monarchy on full display. Stretching from the 1940s to modern day, this six-season drama imagines the inner workings of the British royal family and the pressures they face from the public, their government, and each other. Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton’s performances as the queen cannot be missed.
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The Tudors
Team Green and Team Black would both probably despise King Henry VII in this historical drama starring Jonathan Rhys. From his infamous marriages to Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn (played by Natalie Dormer, a Game of Thrones alum), to his relationships with other integral historic figures, you’ll get a front row seat to the defining legacy of one of England’s most infamous rulers.
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Reign
A historical drama loosely based on the life of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, this show will not only satisfy your desire for strategic political marriages but also expose the dark underbelly of royalty. From tense inter-country relationships to even tenser marriages, this show has everything you want from a CW drama, including tons of political and sexual intrigue.
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Downton Abbey
If you love the intricate Targaryen family dynamics in HotD, you need to watch Downton Abbey ASAP. This historical drama has six full seasons and two feature-length films for you to dive into. (And another one is due next year!) From the lives of the wealthy Crawley family to the complicated world of their lovable staff, no storyline is left unexplored. And if you want to see a version set in 1880s New York, check out The Gilded Age.
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Outlander
If you’re craving a tale of epic proportions with tons of romance and time travel, look no further than Outlander. While on her honeymoon in Scotland, World War II nurse Claire Randall is suddenly transported to 1743. Set in a time where women have few rights, Claire marries a handsome Scottish warrior, Jamie Fraser, to stay alive. If you’re still craving more passion and romance after seven seasons of Outlander, there’s a prequel of the show to look forward to soon.
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Peaky Blinders
Family drama is at the forefront of this period crime saga, which kicks off in 1919 Birmingham. Starring Cillian Murphy as gang leader Tommy Shelby, this six-season show follows the Peaky Blinders, one of the most famous–and feared–fictional gangs in all of England. Although the series came to a close in 2022, a film is on the way.
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