Game of Thrones is a series which starts slow and steady. But after Episode 8 of Season 1, it holds you tight and hits you right between the eyes. You can’t expect what’s going to happen next which is what its true beauty is. The unconventional and graphic approach to storytelling where there is no regard for favorite characters and anybody can die at any time (just like life), may be brutal and heartbreaking, but is as sure as your soul. Here’s the list of TV Shows similar to Game of Thrones that are our recommendations. You can stream some of these shows like Game of Thrones on Netflix or Amazon Prime or Hulu.
15. Marco Polo (2014-2016)
Welcome to 13th century Mongolia where the court of Kublai Khan is replete with power struggles, manipulation, betrayal, and sexual intrigue. Amongst these people who have seemingly lost their way comes Marco Polo, the Italian explorer, and writer. Watch as the famous traveler while being Kublai Khan’s prisoner slowly proves his loyalty towards the aspiring emperor of the world and gains his trust enough to write his life story.
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14. Supernatural (2005-Present)
A renowned horror TV series, Supernatural tells the stories of two brothers who are in constant battle with the supernatural forces of this world. With quite intricate plotlines and many high-ranking mystical personalities appearing in the series including the Devil, Angels, and God himself, it gives us a great insight into the extent of divine intervention in humanity’s existence. The dynamics between the two brothers and their strange past also gives the series a much needed personal touch, making it a full package for the audience.
13. The Tudors (2007-2010)
Focusing on the extravagant and controversial life of King Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), this series is one that you will surely enjoy if you’re interested in history especially individuals known for leaving their notorious mark on it. King Henry VII was famous for his unorthodox ruling style and his approach towards the domination of Holy Roman Church over the entire English sovereign. More than anything else he was renowned for his six marriages to the most beautiful dames of the English countryside. Once Henry tried to annul his marriage to his first wife because he fell in love with Anne Boleyn, who was later executed by him when he lost interest. Talk about random mood swings. A juicy retelling of King Henry’s scandalous lifestyle with GOT fame Natalie Dormer playing the role of Anne Boleyn, this is a series which is sure to whet your appetite for a Game of Thrones doppelgänger.
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12. Da Vinci’s Demons (2013-2015)
Leonardo Da Vinci is famous for many reasons. The prominent of those is his expertise in almost all of the disciplines that he put hands on, be it astronomy, human anatomy, cartography, architecture, music, chemistry, or pyrotechnics. Notice I haven’t even mentioned his painting as of yet. The masterpieces like Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and Vitruvian Man are some examples of this polymath’s creations. But what people don’t know and the historians love debating is how Leonardo lived. His constant tussle with Michelangelo and the church, his revolutionary response to the current regime, and even his sexual inclinations; all are subjects of discussion. Touching upon these topics and controversies is the series called Da Vinci’s Demons. It delves deep into the mysterious life of Leonardo Da Vinci and illuminates the rest of his life’s works, the problems he faced, what his family was like, and how he rose to become a hero for the Roman Catholic Church as well as its adversaries. History, sex, betrayal, and magic; it has everything you need to fulfill your hunger for entertainment.
11. Outlander (2014-Present)
A tale of time travel, this series tears the fabric of reality to present a love triangle that exists beyond two timelines. Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a combat nurse in 1945, gets mysteriously transported to the Scottish countryside of 1743 while visiting the Craig Na Dun (google it) stone circle in the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Frank. In the past, she meets Frank’s double Randall who is, in fact, his ancestor. Randall is a sadistic redcoat bent on crushing the Scottish Highlanders’ rebellion. While trying to go back to her husband, Claire has to face many difficulties alongwith a love affair with a Highlander called Jamie. In a quest to deal with her strange life which is stretched across two war-ridden times, will Claire be able to decide who she wants to spend her future with finally?
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10. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-Present)
Smitten by deceptive doctrine and seduced by false idols, a group of religious fanatics takes over the United States to form an autocratic military regime. In this dystopian future, human rights are very limited, and women’s rights are eliminated. Following the Old Testament, women are forbidden from doing any intellectual work such as reading, writing, or voting, and are used as someone would use cattle. Among these segregations, exists the Handmaids whose job is to have sexual intercourse with men who need infants in the radioactively wasted world where due to diseases and sterility, procreation is very difficult. A story of a handmaid named Offred (Elisabeth Moss), who has lost all autonomy and her free will to her masters, the plot describes how the lives of women have become in such a time. Fed up with being treated worse than animals, the Handmaids revolt under the leadership of Offred in order to topple the heinous rule. Will they be successful in this ugly game of politics and religion? Or will they be perished by the hand of God? This unconventional TV series has won two Golden Globes for Best TV series and Best Actress this year.
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9. Rome (2005-2007)
A British-American historical drama, Rome is an account of two Roman soldiers’ life whose names are Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo. Serving on the court of Julius Caesar, their life depicts in a dark fashion how Julius Caesar rose to prominence until his death on the Ides of March. By telling the tale of Caesar and his successor Octavian through the eyes of ordinary Roman people, the series shows what effects these famous historical personalities and their decisions have had on the common people who had nothing to do with the politics and the power struggle. An excellent account of significant events surrounding the Roman empire and containing a lot of nudity just like GOT, this one can be considered a good alternative to it.
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8. The Originals (2013-Present)
Even though they are eternal, the lives of the Original vampire family are not easy. Being the first and the most powerful vampires in the history, they constantly find themselves amidst deadly battles and conspiracies to topple their regime. Returning after a long time to their favorite city of New Orleans where the child of the Original hybrid Klaus is about to be born, the Original family is forced to face the idea that they might not be as powerful as they think themselves to be. With a powerful witch lurking in the shadows the all-powerful vampires Elijah, Rebekah, and Klaus might have to rethink their position and their family ties if they want to remain in power. A game of strength, politics, emotion, and bloodthirst this series is a spinoff of the Vampire Diaries and is a must watch for the fans of Game of Thrones.
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7. True Detective (2014-Present)
Starring Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson this is True Detective. Depicting how the horrors of past can affect one’s present and desecrate the future, this series is thematically similar to Game of Thrones. GOT is famous for its out-of-time but brilliant plot connections; something which no one but the author George R.R. Martin can foresee and create. Similarly, True Detective follows a non-linear plot in which the stories of two detectives investigating a prostitute’s murder is shown. Reliving their 17 years old fear, the couple has to face the consequences of what they did so long ago. The repercussions come dangling on their present life which although seems peaceful, threatens to expose so much darkness that can engulf their lifetime thirty times over. I would only say this: you can’t miss this TV series whoever you are.
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6. Westworld (2016-Present)
Want to kill someone in cold blood? Want to flay someone as you fry their limbs? Or just a plain old robbery to whet your appetite for adventure? Every one of these and more is possible and moreover legal here. Welcome to the Westworld Theme Park, a futuristic amusement destination where the wealthy and the spoiled can live their wildest and most taboo fantasies by paying a value that is as taboo as what they are getting. To fulfill their forbidden desires, human-like androids called hosts are present in the park with whom the visitors can do whatever they like. But what will happen when the hosts develop a consciousness of their own and realize who or what they are?
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5. Vikings (2013-Present)
Based on the legendary Scandinavian hero Ragnar Lothbrok, Vikings is a series specially made for GOT fans. Following the life story of the famous Norse king Ragnar, it tells how he rose to eternal glory through brutal raids in England and France. The series alongwith displaying the extreme violence and animal law followed in those times also focuses on the dynamics between Ragnar and his family, who after gaining seats of power try to garner as much influence as they can. A tale describing how to acquire power in a time where violence and physical strength is considered the topmost quality in a chieftain, Vikings will surely make you remember Khal Drogo and his wild Dothraki tribe.
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4. The Crown (2016-Present)
Starring Claire Foy and Matt Smith, The Crown weaves the story of the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II after she took the crown of the world’s famous Monarch in 1947. Struggling from the anguish of her subjects, political tension between her and the elected Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and her private life where she is continuously riddled by her husband Phillip, this series takes us backstage into the most prominent power play of the 20th century. Being just 25 years with the British empire in decline, Elizabeth has the onerous burden of proving to the world that Britain is capable of existing and flourishing even under an inexperienced ruler such as herself. In a time when women were not taken seriously as rulers, she proved why her reign is worthy of being the longest and most successful in any monarch. The Crown focuses on that struggle for power, privilege, and aristocracy.
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3. Spartacus (2010-2013)
The story of the famous Thracian gladiator of the same name, Spartacus follows the life struggles and rise to glory of a slave hero. Uniting the Thracian slaves into a rebellion against the corrupt Roman republic that betrayed them, Spartacus became a legendary hero and made his mark on history. Based on a true story about a champion gladiator who lived in the Roman times, Spartacus is a treat for history fiends and fans of excessive violence. Containing graphic scenes of extreme violence, nudity, and sex Spartacus can be closely compared to Game of Thrones without any prejudice. Personally, I think that the only difference between the two is that GOT is a few nude scenes in between a brilliant story and Spartacus is a little bit of story between a lot of nudity.
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2. House of Cards (2013-Present)
Two people fighting against the world and each other to gain control of one absolute ‘Seat of Power’ amidst political struggles and countless betrayals. No, I’m not talking about Game of Thrones. This is House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. When Majority House Whip of the United States Frank Underwood is denied by the President his rightful seat as the Secretary of State, he vows revenge. He lays a carefully constructed plan to overthrow the incumbent so that Frank himself can become the President. After sacrificing a lot, betraying a lot of close ones, and murdering any gullible but important people, he reaches his destination. But at what cost? Frank’s own wife stands against him, and his conscience bites him ever so much. I guess that’s the price you pay to be the most powerful man in the world.
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1. Narcos (2015-Present)
The story of the infamous Medellin drug-cartel leader and international terrorist Pablo Escobar. Based on real events this ultra-entertaining series has proved to be a standalone hit for Netflix. Explaining Escobar’s background and how he transformed his small drug paddling operation into an international empire covering two continents, this series is sure to amaze you. Looking at how the minds of criminals work and how they approach problems in their business operations, the life of this drug kingpin is sure to give any international celebrity as well as a business tycoon lessons on how to face shortcomings. Consisting of a lot of conspiracy, backbiting, and politics to decide who gets the position of Colombia’s undisputed druglord, the various drug cartels behave just like the eight power-hungry houses of Westeros.
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