12 New Shows You Should Watch to Fill That 'Game of Thrones'-Shaped Hole in Your Life
With the new season of "Game of Thrones" airing later than usual this year, a lot of fans are jones-ing for a fix right about now. But there's a reason they say we're in the middle of Peak TV right now. Here are 12 other great, binge-worthy shows that can help pass the time until our return to Westeros.
'11.22.63' (2016)
Hollywood doesn't have the best track record when it comes to adapting Stephen King stories, but Hulu isn't a traditional studio, and "11.22.63" isn't your average King novel. James Franco stars in this limited series about a man who travels back in time to stop the JFK assassination and finds himself becoming a little too attached to the past.
'13 Reasons Why'
Netflix just recently added this high school drama to its lineup of original content. Game of Thrones," it is impossible to stop watching.
'Better Call Saul'
We're going to assume that everyone with a cable subscription or streaming device has watched "Breaking Bad" at this point. But not everyone has tried out its equally-amazing spinoff/prequel series, which explores the early years of Game of Thrones" delay a chance to rectify that mistake.
'Marvel's Daredevil'
"Game of Thrones" is one of the best shows on the air when it comes to delivering epic, glorious violence, but "Daredevil" tends to give the show a run for its money. Come for the amazing hallway fight in the second episode of Season One, stay for the nonstop odyssey of personal suffering that is Matt Murdock's life.
'Deadwood'
Before "Game of Thrones," "Deadwood" was HBO's go-to source for quality character drama and copious amounts of sex and foul language. It might still be the best show HBO has ever produced, and the more people who binge it, the greater the chance of that long-rumored movie sequel actually happening.
'House of Cards'
"Game of Thrones" is as much a political drama as it is a show about swords and dragons and naked people. And no current TV series does politics better than "House of Cards." After four seasons, we're still enthralled by Kevin Spacey's portrayal of a ruthless politician scheming his way to the very top.
'Into the Badlands'
If any current show has "Game of Thrones" beat in the swordplay department, it's "Into the Badlands." This post-apocalyptic drama takes place in a world where guns have been replaced by swords and a handful of barons rule the land. The show proves that it's possible to do flawlessly executed martial arts battles on a TV budget.
'The Leftovers'
HBO is about to debut the third and final season of "The Leftovers," which means you'd better start catching up now. This series is built around a fascinating mystery, as it explores a world where 140 million people mysteriously vanish and mass religious panic ensues.
'Marco Polo'
If you're in search of a show that ticks off many of the same boxes as "Game of Thrones," maybe "Marco Polo" is your best bet. There are no dragons, but this historical drama features plenty of warfare, political intrigue, and betrayal as it explores young Marco Polo's friendship with Mongol warlord Kublai Khan. Sadly, Netflix recently canceled the show after its second season.
'Rome'
"Rome" could be viewed as an early test run for "Game of Thrones," as it's another expensive, ambitious attempt to chronicle war and political upheaval in an ancient time. "Rome" only lasted two seasons, but it managed to tell a compelling story about the struggles of two ordinary Centurians set against the backdrop of some of the most famous events in Roman history.
'The Walking Dead'
"Game of Thrones" is known for featuring a large cast of characters who frequently die in horrible, violent ways. Does that sound like any other current TV series you know? "The Walking Dead" recently wrapped up its seventh season, which makes now the perfect time to get caught up on this ongoing saga of survival. And really, really cool/gruesome kills.
'Westworld'
If there's one new show that rivals "Game of Thrones'" ability to get people talking around the water cooler every Monday, it's "Westworld." This reboot of the '70s movie greatly expands on the original's concept about a theme park full of life-like androids. Each new episode has fans speculating about the nature of the park and the mysterious Man in Black. You might as well get in on the conversation.
