Now that Game of Thrones has ended, we’re all in an odd place that should’ve spent some time preparing for but didn’t because we were still getting over exactly what went down in season eight: what show should we now watch to plug the Iron Throne-sized hole in our lives?
Luckily for us all, it’s 2019 and there are more new shows still to come than you can shake a stick at. But since replacing Game of Thrones is a gargantuan task, no matter what you thought of the final season, I thought I might recommend some brand new shows that are still to come this year, all of which are fantastical, weird, funny, great-looking, and sometimes all of the above.
Just a heads up, I’m only including new shows and ignoring returning shows since those have been around for a while.
His Dark Materials
My top pick as your Game of Thrones replacement as it tells a fantastical tale of two children going on an epic adventure in a wondrous land filled with magic, celestial powers, and an overabundance of danger. While there are no dragons, you do get dæmons in the form of cute animals such as ferrets and polar bears so that’s pretty cool.
There’s also the all-star cast that includes Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda so you know you’re getting some quality performances.
And finally, it is based on Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials novels, which are all completed so you don’t have to worry about the finale sucking. As for when the show will air, the only window we have is “late 2019”.
In every child’s nightmare, there’s an element of truth.
Starring @DafneKeen, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, and @Lin_Manuel, #HisDarkMaterials is coming soon to @HBO. pic.twitter.com/yfEhvRw3Y4
— His Dark Materials (@daemonsanddust) May 17, 2019
Good Omens
What happens when a demon and an angel somehow become BFFs and end up living peacefully on earth, only to be drawn into a battle between Heaven and Hell against their will? Well that’s Good Omens in a nutshell, which is based on Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s 1990 novel of the same name.
The tone is goofy, the cast is electric (it’s got David Tennant, Michael Sheen, and Jon Hamm just to name a few), and it’s going to premiere on May 31 so you won’t have long to wait.
Only this unlikely duo can stop doomsday. #GoodOmens arrives May 31 on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/g5ytJnb8EK
— Good Omens (@GoodOmensPrime) March 6, 2019
Watchmen
After Zack Snyder had a go at adapting Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons seminal comic, Watchmen, it’s HBO’s turn and it looks like this one will bring something new to the table than just being a straight adaptation.
Apparently this version will tell a new, original story that’s set after the original Watchmen, essentially making it a pseudo-sequel of sorts. Whatever it is, it certainly looks super interesting though we’ll have to wait a little bit for it as it’s tentatively penciled in for a late 2019 premiere.
The Mandalorian
Ah, the gritty, live-action Star Wars TV show we always wanted. Taking place in between the Original and Sequel trilogies, The Mandalorian will follow a “lone gunfighter” called the Mandalorian as he gets up to no good around the galaxy. Based on what we know so far, it’s got sand, bounty hunters, blasters, droids, and Stormtroopers, and that’s a recipe for entertainment at the very least.
If you’re keen, you’re going to have to get Disney+ to watch it as it’ll premiere on November 12, but hey, it looks like it’ll be worth it.
The Witcher
We haven’t heard much about The Witcher, Netflix’s big-budget fantasy series based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series of the same name, but we do know three things.
Firstly, it’s a big fantasy epic with swords and magic, so that’s pretty comfortable territory to wade back into. Secondly, it’s coming out late this year so there will be a little bit of a short wait. And thirdly, it’s got Henry Cavill looking like the bastard love child of Legolas and Lucius Malfoy.
The Boys
Probably the weirdest yet funnest looking show I’ve seen in a while. Developed by Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg (who made Preacher so you know this’ll be something good), The Boys is based on the comic book of the same name and basically digs into the question of “what would the world be like if heroes existed and they were egotistical assholes?”
It’s a fun premise and looks to be filled with comedy, blood, guts, sex, and more shenanigans than a circus clown on acid. With a July 26 premiere date, the Boys aren’t that far off.
If superheroes were real, they’d be real f***ed up. #TheBoysTV is coming 7/26, only on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/FuTFEpmeXU
— The Boys (@TheBoysTV) April 17, 2019