Fanged teeth, fiery breath or pointy ears?

Choosing a show to watch can be a daunting task and sometimes we spend too much time looking for what to watch only to settle for the most talked about show or whatever is at our fingertips.

If you're a fan of fantasy (and what's not to love about a mythical world with infinite possibilities?), here are some of the top fantasy shows in 2022 and a short description to help you decide if they're worth a watch.




The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself

Based on the Half Bad Trilogy by Sally Green, The Bastard Son follows the story of warring witch clans and a young witch stuck in the middle. In a bid to prove his worth and also find himself, Nathan (Jay Lycurgo) goes on a journey/quest with two other young witches - Annalise (Nadia Parkes) and Gabriel (Emilien Vekemans). On their journey, they form new bonds, discover that things aren't as black and white as they had been told and also get caught in the middle of a war.

What to expect - Witches, Superpowers, Gore, an extremely annoying two-faced character.

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is currently streaming on Netflix.


Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones) in Interview with the Vampire (2022)


Interview with the Vampire

Interview with the Vampire is based on the 1976 book by Anne Rice which also got a movie adaptation in 1994. The story follows journalist Daniel Malloy (Eric Bogosian) as he's invited for an exclusive interview with centuries-old vampire Louis de Pointe du lac (Jacob Anderson). Louise has a lot to get off his chest about his past - his family dynamics, his experience as a black man in New Orleans, how he became a vampire and his complicated love/hate relationship with his maker Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid).

 Interview with the Vampire shuffles back and forth between the 2022 present-day interview and flashbacks to Louise's past in the 1800s (with the help of voiceovers/narrations). The setting is charming, the characters have great chemistry and the sex scenes are quite lengthy and steamy. However, it is a bit dialogue-heavy.

What to expect: Vampires, Gore, Lengthy talks, Steamy Scenes, Breasts, Racial Dynamics, Angry French.

Interview with the Vampire is streaming on AMC+




House of the Dragon

This Game of Thrones prequel was highly anticipated by GOT fans and the premiere drew in 9.9 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max. House of the Dragon follows the events that lead to the much-talked-about dance of the dragons (172 years before the death of the Mad King). King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) names his daughter Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) his heir and his audacity to name a woman future ruler when everyone knows it takes a joystick to rule eventually leads to war.

House of the Dragon follows the subtle and not-so-subtle grabs for the Iron Throne.

What to expect - Lots of time jumps, Dragons, Political Intrigue, Incest, Butts 

House of the Dragon is currently streaming on HBO and HBO Max


Morfydd Clark in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Yet another prequel of a popular franchise - what can we say, 2022 is the year of prequels. Rings of Power is set in the 3,441-year period known as the Age of Númenor, or the Second Age. It mostly follows Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) as she deals with the aftermath of the battle with Morgoth and searches the earth for remnants of his evil.

Amazon Prime Video acquired some of the tv rights for this show and allocated a hefty budget (a whooping billion dollars) so the setting is gorgeous. Loyal book fans have critiqued that Rings of Power strays far from the source material with some dubbing it "elaborate fan fiction". There's a lot going on (so you might not see your favorite characters in every episode) and the pacing is a little slow but it's still a great watch.

What to expect: Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, a very annoying Galadriel, Battles, and Beautiful Scenery.

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is currently streaming on  Prime Video



Drake Rodger, Meg Donnelly, Nida Khurshid and Jojo Fleites in The Winchesters (2022)

The Winchesters

This Supernatural prequel follows the parents of Sam and Dean - young John Winchester (Drake Rodger) and Mary Campbell (Meg Donnelly) as they fall in love and hunt monsters with their friends.

While the merry band of demon hunters currently have different goals - one tries to find her father, another tries to understand his father, another tries to do right by his family and so on - tales of a big bad were told in the pilot and we can expect more villains to show up as the series develops.

What to expect: Demons, Exorcisms, Monsters, Dean Winchester voiceovers.

The Winchester airs on CW and the series premiere was CW's most watched debut this season.


Mia McKenna-Bruce and Daniela Nieves in Vampire Academy (2022)

Vampire Academy

Based on the YA book of the same name by Racheal Mead, Vampire Academy is set in a world with royal vampires called Moroi, their half-vampire guardians (Dhampir), rogue vampires (Strigoi) and humans who willingly volunteer as lunch. The story follows the unlikely bond between a Moroi and a Dhampir and how they navigate love, danger, duty and politics. 

Produced by Julie Plec (Vampire Diaries, Originals, Legacies), Vampire Academy is an interesting casual watch but the pilot episode is really clunky so watch at least two episodes to decide if you'll invest in it.

What to expect: Vampires, Random makeout sessions, Parkour, Magic (?), Political intrigue

Vampire Academy is currently streaming on Peacock


Gwendoline Christine as Lucifer in The Sandman (2022)

The Sandman

The Sandman is an adaptation of the comic series by Neil Gaiman. It follows the story of the sandman/ king of dreams as he deals with anomalies caused by humans and his rogue nightmares. The Sandman is more of an anthology series than a show with a central plot - one or two episode deals with a villain and then it's time for a new villain. Sometimes two stories are even jammed into one episode.

The series is faithful to the comics, the setting is picturesque, the protagonist is barely inspiring and the villain is not a well-formed picture - yet, it's an interesting watch and a fan favorite.

What to expect: Magic, Cults, A handful of mythical creatures, Lots of Dialogue.

The Sandman is currently streaming on Netflix.


Rachelle Goulding, Jacob Batalon (Spiderman) and Georgia Waters in Reginald the Vampire
Rachelle Goulding, Jacob Batalon (Spiderman) and Georgia Waters in Reginald the Vampire (2022)

Reginald the Vampire

Based on the Fat Vampire series by Johnny B. Truant, Reginald the Vampire follows the story of Reginald (Jacob Batalon)who meets a ridiculously friendly stranger who helps him and later "saves" him by turning him into a vampire. In a world of hot, pale, superfit vampires, Reginald is different and has to navigate a new world while facing old problems (like fat-shaming).

What to expect: Twilightesque vampire speed, Blood, High school type love, Body shaming, Attempts at comedy.


Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in Wednesday (2022)

Wednesday

Wednesday is a Netflix original series based on Tim Burton's Wednesday Adams. The story follows Wednesday Adams as she navigates the new normal with fellow weirdos at Nevermore Academy. She also tries to solve a mystery/crime and make friends.

While the story is based on Tim Burton's The Addams, a lot of elements and quirks that we came to love about The Addams are notably missing in Netflix's adaptation.

What to expect: Moody characters, dull costumes, supernatural creatures with little supernatural powers, the most boring love triangle ever and a very disappointing villain. (It's very hard to mask my disappointment in this series)

Wednesday is currently streaming on Netflix.


Laurence O'Fuarain and Sophia Brown in The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022)


The Witcher: Blood Origin

A spinoff of the popular Witcher series, Blood Origin was created to show fans how Geralt of Rivia and his hybrid species were first created. But before the concocting of the first witcher, seven warrior outcasts band together to take down an institutional power.

Blood Origin is not very faithful to the source material so you might get a little confused as to where the story is going or what it's trying to achieve.

What to expect: Battles, Gore, Mythical Creatures, Messy Plot.


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