Entertainment
Can’t wait for The Witcher season 2? 7 Netflix shows to watch in the meantime
Here are some epic shows to get you in the mood for The Witcher season 2 (Picture: Netflix)
Fans are ready to see Henry Cavill returning as the ever-brooding titular character Geralt of Rivia in season 2 of The Witcher.
The fantasy drama, based on the book series and video games of the same name, has become a huge hit among old fans and newcomers alike since the first season dropped in 2019.
The Witcher tells the tale of a monster hunter on his travels across the Continent, a medieval-inspired world filled with all sorts of magical beings, from horrifying creatures to witches and elves.
With a stellar cast featuring Henry as Geralt, Anya Chalotra also stars as sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg while Freya Allan plays Princess Cintrilla of Cintra, otherwise known as Ciri.
Season two will introduce viewers to a new band of witches, comrades of Geralt, as well as his father-figure Vesemir, who trained him to become a monster hunter as a boy.
While we patiently wait for the series to land on Netflix on Friday December 17, here are seven other shows worth watching on Netflix to help pass the time, from period dramas to fantasy and sci-fi offerings.
Hang in there!
Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone has a lot of similarities to The Witcher (Picture: Netflix)
The Witcher first season follows Geralt of Rivia, Crown Princess Ciri, and the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg at different points in time, exploring formative events that shaped their characters.
With that in mind, hardcore fans won’t have a hard time following Shadow and Bone.
The show, an adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s YA book series, follows Alina Starkov (Jessie), as she’s recruited to become a soldier in an elite magical army, known as Grisha.
Season one was released on April 23 this year on Netflix, with all eight episodes dropping at once.
The series, featuring an immense cast including Jessie Mei Li, Luke Pasqualino, Archie Renaux and Zoe Wanamaker, has already been branded the ‘next Game of Thrones’. Big talk, so worth a watch, for sure.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things season 4 will be the longest yet (Picture: Netflix)
When most people hear the word supernatural in relation to a TV series, Stranger Things is usually among the first to cross their minds.
In case you’ve not watched this sci-fi behemoth yet (where have you been??) the show takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the early-to-mid 1980s.
The first season revolves around the supernatural disappearance of Will Byers, while the second explores the repercussions of the mysterious events that took place in the previous, and the third focused on ‘forces of evil that are new’. The often creepy but always thrilling series blurs the line between reality and an alternate dimension known as the Upside Down.
Viewers were treated to a mini teaser last month, where it was confirmed it won’t be long until we see main characters Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin and Max return to take on the Upisde Down (again).
Matt and Ross Duffer, the show’s creators, confirmed that season four was coming back in early 2020.
The main cast includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, and Cara Buono.
Black Mirror
We strongly recommend Black Mirror (Picture: Netflix)
Charlie Brooker’s hit dystopian series made Netflix its home a good few years ago after starting out on Channel 4, enhancing the show’s incredible reputation for predicting the pitfalls of humanity’s relationship with technology.
But for those who don’t know what it’s about, we’ll fill you in, because there’s a lot to unpack.
The award-winning show explores how technology influences our lives — for better or for worse. With its fifth season featuring actors like Miley Cyrus and Anthony Mackie, it’s safe to say it has quite the celebrity fan base.
As you can imagine, a series as complex as this would present itself with many iconic/what the hell moments.
Nosedive, season three episode one, the fan favourite imagines an ominous world in which people rate every social interaction on their phones and everyone has an average star rating that determines their social standing.
And who can forget Mackie’s Striking Vipers, which examined a brave new world of virtual sex in a refreshing yet mind-boggling way.
Although every episode brings a different character, it still possesses the same intriguing appeal. Several Black Mirror episodes like Bandersnatch are also inspired by the original video game. So there’s something for gamers, and possibly fans of The Witcher, to relate to there.
Money Heist
Money Heist has become an international hit (Picture: Netflix)
A criminal mastermind who goes by The Professor has a plan to pull off the biggest heist in recorded history — to print billions of euros in the Royal Mint of Spain.
To help him carry out the ambitious plan, he recruits eight people with certain abilities and who have nothing to lose.
The crime drama, which hails from Spain, has become an international sensation, with legions of die-hard fans in virtually every corner of the globe.
If you like action, suspense, adventure, strategy, etc then Money Heist is for you and, although The Witcher has a stronger fan base due to its origin, it can’t be denied that both series present the same intensities…. in a good way of course.
Merlin
Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure drama television loosely based on the Arthurian legends of the young wizard Merlin and his close relationship with King Arthur.
Starring Bradley James as Prince Arthur and Colin Morgan as Merlin, the BBC series ran for five series – and they’re all ready and waiting on Netflix
The wonderful connection it shares with The Witcher would be the use of magic and mythical creatures, but the touching drama and character development aren’t overshadowed by its plentiful use of sorcery.
The show’s creators had made no secret of the fact that they always had a ‘five-year plan’ for the BBC series, but because of its staggering popularity, fans had been holding out for a sixth season, but no luck as of yet. Sigh.
The Last Kingdom
The story is based in Anglo-Saxon England Kingdom on (Picture: Netflix)
For those who love seeing actors in period drama attire, then you’ll appreciate The Last Kingdom a great deal.
Beginning in the late ninth century, the tale follows the story of Uhtred, who is born the son of a Saxon nobleman.
When he becomes an orphan, he is kidnapped by the Vikings, growing up under their influence.
In the official synopsis for season five, Netflix explains that Uhtred’s destiny is ‘tied to the future of England itself’.
‘Charged with training King Edward’s first-born son Aethelstan as a warrior, Uhtred’s ambition will have an even higher purpose,’ the description outlines.
‘But to achieve this destiny, Uhtred will have to face down his greatest enemy and suffer his greatest loss.’
In May 2021 it was announced that The Last Kingdom would end with its fifth season on Netflix, and we’re sure it’s going to be a finale to remember.
Enola Holmes
You can watch Enola Holmes on Netflix (Picture: Netflix)
Although this isn’t a TV series, we’ll always appreciate any opportunity to see The Witcher’s Mr Cavill in action.
The film kicks off on the morning of Enola’s 16th birthday when she wakes to find that her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) has disappeared, leaving behind an odd assortment of gifts but no apparent clue as to where she’s gone or why.
More: Netflix
After a free-spirited childhood, Enola suddenly finds herself under the care of her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), both set on sending her away to a finishing school for ‘proper’ young ladies.
The Witcher season two will premiere on December 17 on Netflix.
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