10 Great Fantasy TV Shows Starring A-List Actors

With epic fantasy as a genre blowing up in movies and television in recent years, More and more A-list actors have joined the casts of stellar fantasy shows. Like many things about fantasy, this is traceable back to Game of Thrones. HBO recruited a mix of industry legends and new stars who would undeniably become A-listers because of their tenures with Game of ThronesDespite limited movie appearances.

This has given rise to some of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​the best fantasy TV ensemble casts, making the best fantasy TV shows of all time, through their portrayal of a variety of complex individual and interconnected arcs. While ensemble casts usually include at least a few up-and-coming actors, Recent popular fantasy series attracted attention with individual standout performances from A-listers. This includes some surprising castings in big animated fantasy shows, as the industry status of animation also changes.

10

The Sandman (2022-present)

Starring David Thewlis

The Sandman Features a handful of very well-known actors, incl Game of Thrones Veterans Charles Dance and Gwendoline Christie. The show is overall overwhelmed by spectacular performances, including Tom Sturridge’s surrealistic detachment as Dream and Kirby Howell-Baptiste’s Strange Compassion as Death.

Dance had a longer career than Christie before Game of ThronesBut David Thewlis probably fits the most typical idea of ​​a lister in this show’s cast. Thewlis plays the demented John Dee, The descendant of Dream’s hood who develops a chilling god complex.

Thewlis’ role in The Sandman is short, but he makes an impact when he sets out to fix the world with absolute honesty, Armed with the stolen Dreamstone. His conviction in his misaligned vision is haunting, contributing to the show’s multi-faceted discourse about how Dream and entities like him interact with humanity.

9

Kaos (2024-present)

With Jeff Goldblum

Netflix’s answer to Good news, Kaos is a contemporary, comedic retelling of Greek mythology, focusing on Jeff Goldblum’s Zeus. The King of the Gods believes the end of the world may be coming, leading to a twisting adventure with six humans that repurposes the myth of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Chaos Explores the skewed power balance between the gods and humans, with Zeus positioned as the flawed protagonist Taken over by his own power.

The key to the story and the themes it develops is Goldblum’s performance Like a tyrannical and insecure Zeus. Other acclaimed actors appear to play various deities and mortals, including Thewlis as Hades for his second outing with Greek mythology. Fans are hoping for Chaos Season 2 to explore Zeus’ character, meaning more impressive acting from Goldblum as he forwards the story of ​​the fall of a dictator.

8

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)

Starring the cast of Scott Pilgrim Vs. the world

Scott Pilgrim takes off Impressively managed to recruit most of the cast of the now nearly 15-year-old movie adaptation From Brian Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series. This is impressive because during this time, most of these people have become much more famous. Michael Cera and Anna Kendrick have done some great movies, Chris Evans and Brie Larson are both MCU alumni (and the latter an Oscar winner), Mae Whitman has continued to float through great TV, and Kieran Culkin has arguably proven himself to be the most Gifted from all of them with Succession.

But the original cast is a vital piece of Scott Pilgrim takes offs skillful meta-engagement with the film, The source material, and some of the prevailing criticism about the characters. They all do a commendable job translating their characters into animation, although not all of them have a lot of experience with voice acting. A few more properties have anime spinoffs coming up, however Scott Pilgrim takes off Has set a high standard.

7

Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

Starring Eva Green

A short-lived series with a base of ardent proponents, Penny Dreadful Fans of a specific fantasy subgenre and aesthetic, of lampshade fantasy and classic monsters. Literary figures like Victor Frankenstein and Dorian Gray parade through this gothic fantasy and horror series. Meanwhile, Eva Green became a staple of Vichy, Gothic fantasy, Naturally fitting Tim Burton’s signature style in movies included Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children And Dumbo.

A-lister Helen McCrory also appeared in a dozen episodes of Penny DreadfulBring your own experience with gothic horror. However, Green has emerged as the defining star of this alluring fantasy series. Vanessa Ives is framed as a brave protagonist trying to do her best, But anyone familiar with Green knows that the character’s arc and her consideration of the nature of evil are much more complex.

6

Gravity Falls (2012-2016)

Starring Linda Cardellini and JK Simmons

Gravity falls Predated the advent of hard fantasy in television but spawned its own brand of fantasy at Disney Channel and beyond, combined with the effects of shows like Rick and Morty And Adventure Time. Gravity Falls has a strong cast of lesser-known stars, Making all the characters lovably hilarious, along with show creator Alex Hirsch, who voiced about half the supporting cast.

however, Gravity falls Has some surprisingly main actors among the strange residents of the city. for example, Linda Cardellini has been with the show from the beginning as Wendy’s voice actor, The coolest person in town who is always level-headed, even during the scariest Gravity falls Episodes.

Meanwhile, JK Simmons suddenly joined the cast in the last stretch of episodes vi “Grunick” Stan’s twin brother Ford. Simmons’ authoritative voice is perfect for Ford – delivering matter-of-fact statements that are utterly hilarious – delightfully surprising as it is that the show has him.

5

Merlin (1998)

Starring Sam Neill

Sam Neill has proven that he is open to doing some low-key roles – for the fans. He joined the original/legacy mashup of Jurassic World Dominion Together with Goldblum and Laura Dern and played “Actor Odin” in two Thor Movies. But outside of his biggest blockbusters and most critically acclaimed movies, Neil took on the role of a legendary sorcerer in an average-reviewed but deeply underrated fantasy series.

Neill first played Merlin in the 1998 TV miniseries Merlin, And again later in 2006 Merlin’s apprentice. The former included a handful of A-listers such as James Earl Jones, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Short, and Isabella Rossellini, while Miranda Richardson reprized her role as the Lady of the Lake for Merlin’s apprentice. Arthuriana has proven to be difficult to adapt, but these two miniseries are an interesting point in its evolution, following the more fan-favorite series Merlin.

4

Andor (2022-2025)

Starring Diego Luna and Stellan Skarsgård

Diego Luna is an experienced actor who has been high Rogue One: A Star Wars Story And congratulated Disney + with his presence for a prequel series about his character. Luna gives a stellar performance as Cassian Andor comes to the decision to join the Rebellion, For which he won a Golden Globe nomination. Andy Serkis was also highly praised for his three-episode arc, becoming one of the times when an actor played multiple characters in a franchise and it worked.

however, Probably the most famous person in Andr A regular part of season 1 is Stellan Skarsgård, Playing the enigmatic and ruthless leader of the pre-Rebel Alliance Rebellion. Luthen Roll is probably doomed Andr season 2, but Skarsgård’s portrayal of harsh leadership characterizes the attitude of the rebels and the show overall. Fiona Shaw also stars AndrShowcasing a different perspective of the Empire’s rise to power as Cassian’s aging adoptive mother makes her own stand.

3

Hazbin Hotel (2024-present)

Starring Keith David

Hazbin Hotel Features a lot of amazing talent who aren’t A-listers in the way most people would think of them, their claims to fame mostly being TV and Broadway shows. Some may argue that Stephanie Beatriz deserves to be called an A-lister, but Keith David is the only cast member that no one can deny as such. Beatriz and David both contribute to these Hazbin Hotel Shaped by his more jaded characters, Serve as natural foils to others.

David is a legend for classics like The thing And ArmageddonBut his more recent career shows that Hollywood would be less for him if he didn’t also get into voice acting and musicals. Be Hazbin Hotel Character Husk throws around biting comments to compete with everyone else, Like the hotel’s moody bartender. However, David’s time to shine is Hazbin Hotel‘s best song, the jazzy number “Loser, Baby,” performed alongside Blake Roman.

2

His Dark Materials (2019-2022)

Starring James McAvoy

His dark materials Has her work cut out for him as the closest thing to game of thrones Official successor, also an HBO original based on a famous fantasy novel series. It provides many great choices: Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson have flawless chemistry, While Ruth Wilson and Ruta Gedmintas provide their key roles. In the aftermath of HamiltonLin Manuel-Miranda has clearly been offered a lot of supporting roles by people who want to capitalize on popularity – but his performance in His dark materials Shows he can hold his own as an actor, with no music involved.

James McAvoy is the show’s A-lister, facing the challenge of portraying the maniacal Lord Asriel. Ezriel embarks on a crusade to improve the world by overthrowing the Magisterium and authority, but proves that he is willing to use corrupt acts to win. It falls to McAvoy to portray Asriel as his daughter Lyra sees him: Brilliant, but so focused on his cause that he becomes uncaring of individual people.

1

Good Omens (2019-present)

Starring David Tennant & Michael Sheen

Good omens Is, of course, made possible by the enjoyable compelling performances and uniquely unique chemistry of David Tennant and Michael Sheen. Fantasy icons Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett created a strange story, But the two main actors made the adaptation possible.

Tennant and Sheen portray exaggerated individual personas, Which merges with realistic inner turmoil. The demon Crowley is a punk rock rebel with unbelievable flair and wit, while the angel Aziraphale demonstrates a sweetness and intelligence that is not too cloying. Through their friendship, more about what they think are their shortcomings comes to light.

Good omens Also boasts some other very famous actors, like John Hamm as the angel Gabriel and Frances McDormand as the voice of God. The willingness of A-list actors to commit to the little fantasy, including and especially in the case of goofier shows like Good omensis part of what is taking fantasy to new heights in the 2020s.