With epic fantasy as agenre blowing up in movies and TVin recent years,more and more A-list actors have joined the casts of stellar fantasy shows.As many things are concerning fantasy, this is traceable back toGame of Thrones. HBO recruited a mix of industry legends and newer stars that would undeniably become A-listers because of their tenures withGame of Thrones, despite limited movie appearances.
This has given rise to some of thebest fantasy TV ensemble casts, who make thebest fantasy TV shows of all timeso through their portrayals 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 drew attention with individual standout performances by A-listers.This includes some surprising castings in great animated fantasy shows, as animation’s industry status also changes.
10The Sandman (2022-Present)
Starring David Thewlis
The Sandmanfeatures a handful of very well-known actors, includingGame of Thronesveterans Charles Dance and Gwendoline Christie.The show is overall overwhelmed by spectacular performances, including Tom Sturridge’s surrealistic detachment as Dreamand Kirby Howell-Baptiste’s strange compassion as Death.
The Sandman
Cast
The Sandman is a 2022 adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s iconic comic series. The narrative follows Morpheus, the King of Dreams, who, after years of imprisonment, embarks on a quest across various realms to recover his stolen artifacts and regain his lost power.
Dance had a longer career than Christie beforeGame of Thrones, but David Thewlis probably fits the most typical idea of an A-lister in this show’s cast.Thewlis plays the demented John Dee,the descendant of Dream’s captor who develops a chilling god complex.
10 Reasons Fantasy TV Shows Are Still So Hard To Adapt (Despite Fantasy Being Huge Right Now)
Many studios have tried to recapture the success of Game of Thrones with their own fantasy shows. Here are the reasons why it’s so difficult.
Thewlis' role inThe Sandmanis brief, but he makes an impact when he sets out to correct the world with absolute honesty,armed with the stolen Dreamstone. His conviction in his misaligned vision is haunting, contributing to the show’s multi-faced discourse on how Dream and entities like him interact with humanity.
9Kaos (2024-Present)
Starring Jeff Goldblum
Netflix’s answer toGood Omens, Kaosis a contemporary, comedic retelling of Greek mythology focusing on Jeff Goldblum’s Zeus. The king of the gods believes that the end of the world might be coming, leading to a twisting adventure involving six humans that repurposes the myth of a self-fulfilling prophecy.Kaosexplores the skewed power balance between the gods and humans, with Zeus positioned as the flawed protagonistovercome by his own power.
Kaos
Kaos is a dark comedy series starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus. Zeus is enjoying being the King of the Gods, until he starts to self-destruct after thinking a wrinkle on his forhead is a sign of an ancient prophecy. His situation becomes even worse when Prometheus develops a plan to take Zeus down once and for all.
Key to this story and the themes it develops is Goldblum’s performanceas a tyrannical and insecure Zeus. Other acclaimed actors appear playing various deities and mortals, including Thewlis as Hades for his second outing with Greek mythology. Fans are hoping forKaosseason 2to further explore Zeus' character, meaning more impressive acting from Goldblum as he furthers the story of the fall of a dictator.
8Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)
Starring The Cast Of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
It’s impressive because, in that time, most of these people have become a lot more famous.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Offimpressively managed to re-recruit most of the cast from the now nearly 15-year-old movie adaptationof Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series. It’s impressive because, in that time, most of these people have become a lot more famous. Michael Cera and Anna Kendrick have done several great movies apiece, 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 talented of all of them withSuccession.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Based on the famous graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an animated adaptation of the comedic action-adventure series. The series will see the titular Scott Pilgrim living a routine life until he falls for a delivery girl named Ramona Flowers - but before they can date, he’ll have to battle with her seven evil exes. The series will see several returning talents, such as the cast of the 2010 film by Edgar Wright, all reprising their roles, and musical partners Joseph Trapanese and Anamanaguchi.
Yet the original cast is a vital piece ofScott Pilgrim Takes Off’s skillful meta-engagement with the movie,the source material, and some of the prevailing criticisms about the characters. They all do a praise-worthy job translating their characters into animation, even though not all of them have a ton of experience with voice acting. Several more properties have anime spinoffs coming up, butScott Pilgrim Takes Offhas set a high standard.
7Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
Starring Eva Green
A short-lived series with a base of fervent proponents,Penny Dreadfulcaters to 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 has become a staple of witchy, gothic fantasy,naturally fitting Tim Burton’s signature style in movies includingMiss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar ChildrenandDumbo.
Penny Dreadful
Penny Dreadful is a gothic horror thriller series that follows characters forced to brave historic British literature creations in Victorian London. Centering on Vanessa Ives across the series, the show has Vanessa and her allies face-to-face with supernatural entities that will challenge their reality while dealing with their own personal demons.
A-lister Helen McCrory also appears in a dozen episodes ofPenny Dreadful, bringing her own experience with gothic horror. However, Green has emerged as the defining star of this alluring fantasy series.Vanessa Ives is framed as a heroic 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 far more complicated.
6Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
Starring Linda Cardellini & J. K. Simmons
Gravity Fallspredates the advent of hard fantasy in TV but spawned its own brand of fantasy within Disney Channel and outside it, combined with the effects of shows likeRick and MortyandAdventure Time.Gravity Falls has a strong cast of lesser-known stars,making all the characters lovably hilarious, alongside show creator Alex Hirsch voicing about half the supporting cast.
Gravity Falls
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
However,Gravity Fallshas some surprisingly major actors among the town’s strange residents. For instance,Linda Cardellini was with the show from the beginning as Wendy’s voice actor,the coolest person in town who is always level-headed, even during thescariestGravity Fallsepisodes.
10 Best Animated Fantasy TV Shows Ever Made
The best animated fantasy TV shows of all time demonstrate gorgeous animation, life-changing stories, and the overall evolution of the genre.
Meanwhile,J. K. Simmons abruptly joined the cast in the final stretch of episodes as"Grunkle"Stan’s twin brother Ford.Simmons' authoritative voice is perfect for Ford — delivering matter-of-fact statements that are completely hilarious — delightfully surprising as it is that the show got him.
5Merlin (1998)
Starring Sam Neill
Sam Neill has proven that he is open to doing some low-brow roles — for the fans. He joined the original/legacy mashup ofJurassic World Dominionalongside Goldblum and Laura Dern and played"Actor Odin"in twoThormovies. Yet outside his biggest blockbusters and most critically acclaimed movies,Neill 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 miniseriesMerlin,and again later in 2006’sMerlin’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 reprised her role as the Lady of the Lake forMerlin’s Apprentice. Arthuriana has proven to be difficult to adapt, but these two miniseries are an interesting point in its evolution, proceeding the longer fan-favorite seriesMerlin.
4Andor (2022-2025)
Starring Diego Luna & Stellan Skarsgård
Diego Luna is an experienced actor who elevatedRogue One: A Star Wars Storyand graced 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 is also highly praised for his three-episode arc, becoming one of thetimes an actor played multiple characters in a franchiseand it worked.
Andor
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
However,probably the most famous person inAndorwho is a regular part of season 1 is Stellan Skarsgård,playing the enigmatic and ruthless leader of the pre-Rebel Alliance Rebellion. Luthen Rael is probably doomed inAndorseason 2, but Skarsgård’s portrayal of harsh leadership characterizes the attitude of the rebels and the show overall. Fiona Shaw also stars inAndor, showcasing a different perspective of the Empire’s rise to power as Cassian’s aging adoptive mother makes her own stand.
3Hazbin Hotel (2024-Present)
Starring Keith David
David’s time to shine is Hazbin Hotel’s best song, the jazzy number “Loser, Baby,” performed alongside Blake Roman.
Hazbin Hotelfeatures 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 might argue that Stephanie Beatriz deserves to be called an A-lister, but Keith David is the only cast member who no one can deny as such.Beatriz and David both contribute to theHazbin Hotelcast by being more jaded characters,serving as natural foils to others.
Hazbin Hotel
Hazbin Hotel is an adult animation series created and directed by Vivienne Medrano. Hazbin Hotel centers on Lucifer’s daughter, who opens a hotel for misfit demons she thinks can be redeemed in order to reduce Hell’s overpopulation. The first season of Hazbin Hotel premiered on Prime Video on August 06, 2025.
David is a legend for classics likeThe ThingandArmageddon, but his more recent career goes to show that Hollywood would be the lesser for it if he had not also gotten into voice acting and musicals.HisHazbin Hotelcharacter Husk throws around biting comments to compete with everyone else,as the hotel’s moody bartender. However, David’s time to shine isHazbin Hotel’s best song, the jazzy number “Loser, Baby,” performed alongside Blake Roman.
2His Dark Materials (2019-2022)
Starring James McAvoy
His Dark Materialshad its work cut out for it as the closest thing toGame of Thrones’official successor, also an HBO original based on a famed fantasy novel series. It cast many great choices:Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson have flawless chemistry,while Ruth Wilson and Ruta Gedmintas deliver in their key roles. In the aftermath ofHamilton, Lin Manuel-Miranda is clearly being offered a lot of supporting roles from people wanting to capitalize on popularity — but his performance inHis Dark Materialsshows he can hold his own as an actor, with absolutely no music involved.
His Dark Materials
Based on author Philip Pullman’s beloved novel trilogy, His Dark Materials is a fantasy/drama television series that follows Lyra, a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings, and protect dangerous secrets. Lyra will find that her life is inextricably linked with another as they discover they may be the ones to change the world.
James McAvoy is the show’s A-lister, facing the challenge of portraying the maniacal Lord Asriel. Asriel starts on a crusade to better the world by overthrowing the Magisterium and the Authority, but shows that he is willing to resort to depraved acts to win.It falls on McAvoy to portray Asriel as his daughter Lyra sees him:brilliant, but so focused on his cause that he becomes uncaring of individual people.
1Good Omens (2019-Present)
Starring David Tennant & Michael Sheen
Good Omensis, of course, made possible by the enjoyably compelling performances and singularly unique chemistry of David Tennant and Michael Sheen.Fantasy icons Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett created a bizarre story,but the two lead actors made the adaptation possible.
Good Omens
Based on the bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Good Omens follows an angel and demon as they attempt to defy the forces of Heaven and Hell in order to avert the apocalypse. With Pratchett and Gaiman’s funny and irreverent style shining through, Good Omens stars Michael Sheen and David Tennant as Aziraphale and Crowley, with a larger cast that includes John Hamm, Francis McDormand, and Michael McKean.
Tennant and Sheen portray exaggerated individual personas,which blend 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.
The 10 Best Current Fantasy TV Shows With Stunning Worldbuilding
From The Witcher to One Piece, the best fantasy TV shows must have solid, cohesive world-building that also feels innovative and unique.
Good Omensalso boasts some other hugely famous actors, like John Hamm as the angel Gabriel andFrances McDormand as the voice of God.The willingness of A-list actors to commit to the bit of fantasy, including and especially in the case of goofier shows likeGood Omens, is part of what is taking fantasy to new heights in the 2020s.
