2025’s bestGame of Thronesreplacement show is underway, and it’smore exciting than any of the fantasy shows in recent years. FollowingGame of Thrones’endingin 2019, there’s been a significant uptick in fantasy adaptations trying to capture its success, fromThe Wheel of TimetoThe WitchertoThe Rings of Power.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the books that those shows are based on, so I was thrilled to see them get their chance on the small screen. However, I never saw them as theperfect replacement forGame of Thrones, as there are singular qualities to the HBO adaptation that made it so enthralling.
King And Conqueror Is 2025’s Most Exciting GOT Replacement
King And Conqueror Features Game Of Thrones Stars
The BBC and Paramount are deep in production on a new historical epicTV series calledKing and Conqueror. The story will examineone of the most pivotal moments in world history: the conflict between King Harold and William the Conqueror, set in 11th-century England.
This series will involve medieval warfare on a vast scale, political and familial drama, and an impressive cast of actors, including two Westeros stars.Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who played Jaime Lannister in all eight seasons ofGame of Thrones, will likely be the most exciting name for fans of the HBO fantasy series.
Coster-Waldau co-stars alongside James Norton, an experienced actor who appeared in 2019’sLittle Womenand who will play a prominent role inHouse of the Dragonseason 3 as Ormund Hightower.King and Conquerorwill also star Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter), Emily Beecham (Into the Badlands), and more.
King And Conqueror Could Continue To Revive The Historical Epic Genre
Shōgun, Chief Of War, & Now King And Conqueror
The genre of historical epics has come and gone multiple times in Hollywood, but it’s been dormant for some time. FollowingGladiatorandBraveheart, there was a wave of similar movies in the early 2000s. Now,King and Conquerorfollows a wave that seems to have stemmed fromGame of Thrones.
Influence can be tracked fromGame of Thronesto shows likeMarco PoloandThe Last Kingdom, but more recently, the Emmy juggernautShōgunis what comes to mind. 2025 will offer two more exciting additions to the genre in Jason Momoa’sChief of Warand the aforementioned BBC medieval drama.
Historical Epics Are Even More Exciting Than The Fantasy Boom
There Are So Many Great Historical Stories To Be Told
Shows likeThe Wheel of TimeandThe Rings of Powercan be counted in the same genre asGame of Thrones, but they’re vastly different in tone and their potential audience pool.Game of Thronesis undoubtedly a fantasy series, but its low-magic, political-focused aspects allowed it to appeal to a broad audience.
Shōgunis possibly the most exciting series to stem fromGame of Thrones’influence yet, drawing from both an iconic fiction novel and fascinating real-world history. These arethe shows that can really focus on the down-and-dirty war, politics, and character dramalikeGame of Thronesdid.
