One of the most fun parts of being a fan of fantasy TV shows is debating the controversial and hot-button issues and storylines that appear throughout our favorite series. These additions to the speculative fiction genre prove that even the best and most iconic works of fantasy aren’t above reproach, and that every audience member will feel differently about certain plot points and character arcs.
Some of the best fantasy TV shows of every decade have sparked their fair share of controversy, and this doesn’t always hurt a series. In many cases, the more a show is talked about, for better or worse, the more interest will be generated in the project. As many fantasy series struggle to find a foothold in the contemporary TV landscape, this can be a good thing.
Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)
One of the best fantasy TV shows of all time and a lightning rod for debate and discussion, Game of Thrones ushered in the contemporary era of fantasy and set a high bar for all the series that came after it. However, this doesn’t mean the story was immune to critique, as GOT was widely talked about from the beginning, thanks to its graphic violence, explicit sex, and shocking plot twists.
Every season of Game of Thrones has something exciting to offer, but it was the final installment that cemented the show’s mixed legacy. There are some moments throughout the series that stand out as some of the best scenes in TV history, but season 8’s disappointing finale and the unsatisfying character arcs make Game of Thrones a show worth debating to this day.
The Wheel Of Time (2021–2025)
The Wheel of Time is the most recent in the long list of fantasy TV shows that have been canceled before their time in the 2020s. While it would have taken a long time for the Prime Video series to adapt each book in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time novel series, as there are fourteen installments, it was a shame that the show was cut short after season 3.
The first two seasons of The Wheel of Time sparked some controversy because the show made many fans question whether or not the story should be adapted to the screen. Inherently, the narrative has a slower pace and requires a lot of exposition, and this can easily bog down viewers interested in the adventure side of fantasy. However, the series’ third and final season was the best yet.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power (2022–Present)
The legacy of The Lord of the Rings books and original movies would be impossible for any TV show to live up to, but The Rings of Power has had a tough time appealing to audiences. Set before the events of the Third Age, when Frodo travels to Mount Doom, The Rings of Power takes liberties with the source material, changing some of the lore created by J.R.R. Tolkien.
It’s difficult when a fantasy show isn’t as good as the book it’s based on. While The Rings of Power isn’t necessarily worse than The Lord of the Rings, it is markedly different, and that can be jarring for longtime fans of the franchise. With its large budget and the considerable resources dedicated to the project, The Rings of Power has been at the center of many debates about fantasy TV.
Once Upon A Time (2011–2018)
Leaning into the darker side of fairy tales and the characters in these iconic stories, Once Upon a Time debuted with a gripping first season that balanced its mystery elements with the character-driven drama. The way that the show altered certain fairy tale characters and its diversion from traditional storytelling was surprising to some fans, but Once Upon a Time connected with viewers thanks to its modern themes.
However, this didn’t mean Once Upon a Time was immune to making some wild story choices that audiences and critics questioned. This began in season 4, when the series introduced characters like Anna and Elsa, which heralded the beginning of the end for the series. Once Upon a Time continued to go in unexpected directions, introducing new villains and heroes, such as Zelena and King Arthur, who didn’t appeal to all fans.
True Blood (2008–2014)
Seeped in the tradition of the Southern Gothic genre and pushing the vampire narrative to its limits, True Blood made a name for itself by shocking audiences. Never afraid to engage with taboo subjects or draw parallels between the world’s relationship to vampires and other supernatural creatures with real-life discrimination, True Blood revolves around the romance and danger of Sookie (Anna Paquin).
While many fans were torn between rooting for Sookie to be with Eric or Bill throughout the show, one of its most divisive moments happened at the end of the series. Though True Blood was all about transgression and the exploration of suppressed instincts and desires, the series finale took a more traditional, puritanical approach to the story, disappointing many longtime fans of the show.
The Magicians (2015–2020)
The unique style and tone of The Magicians might not be for everyone, but for fans of the show, there’s nothing more exciting than watching the Brakebills students go on another epic quest. As the seasons progressed in The Magicians, new foes and stakes were introduced, and the world grew in scope. The series was never afraid to make the consequences of the story very permanent.
This became clear at the end of The Magicians season 4, when a beloved main character was killed off, sparking controversy and setting the stage for a shocking final season. Despite its flaws and the ups and downs of the story, The Magicians is the best fantasy show you might have missed, and it is the perfect series for audiences looking for their next magical fix.
The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
The Vampire Diaries is known for being an iconic addition to the supernatural teen drama genre, as well as including one of the best onscreen love triangles of all time. While the melodrama and high-stakes situations of The Vampire Diaries were a large part of what made the series such a success in the 2010s, the over-the-top plot twists and convoluted storylines were part of its downfall.
In the later seasons, The Vampire Diaries started going downhill and sparking outrage among fans, with the series making wild story choices and killing off some of our favorite characters. However, the controversy was also something fun to discuss both when the show was airing and now. Debating over Team Stefan or Team Damon will never get old, as love triangles are eternal.
The Witcher (2019–Present)
One of the biggest complaints that fans of The Witcher lodge against the screen adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s high fantasy novels is that the show differs too sharply from the books. It would be impossible for The Witcher to please all audiences who have read Sapkowski’s work, but there were high expectations for Netflix’s take on The Witcher, as it could’ve been the streamer’s Game of Thrones.
However, The Witcher has proven to be too divisive for this to be the case, cementing it as a fun work of fantasy, but not the most faithful exploration of the story. The Witcher‘s next season will include major changes, as Henry Cavill is stepping down and being replaced by Liam Hemsworth. How this will change the show’s legacy remains to be seen, but The Witcher could use a shakeup.
