Game of Thrones Withdrawal? These Shows will Fill the Void

Game of Thrones was IMO, the best show to ever grace our TV screens. Dragons, Drawfs, Zombies, oh my! I may not remember everyone’s names, but now that it’s over, I’m really going to miss it. And if you’re going through Game of Thrones withdrawal too, here are some other TV shows to fill the void.

As any Game of Thrones fan knows, it was pure agony between seasons. I literally felt like I was going through Game of Thrones withdrawal!

Fortunately, I discovered some really awesome shows similar to Game of Thrones that helped soothe my aching heart.

So if you are craving a taste of history, glorious scenery, villainous tyrants, mischievious royalty, brutal violence, and gratuitous sex, you should definitely add these to your list.

I’m only sorry that I watched them already. Boo!

Vikings

Vikings follow the legendary tale of Ragnar Lothbrok, a humble Nordic farmer who rose through the battle ranks to become King of Denmark.

Grab a delicious slice of Ragnar and Lagertha on Vikings. Credit/History Channel

Aside from all the eye candy, you will be enthralled by the savage battles, human sacrifices, a little magic, and lots of death.

The characters all have their own quirks and even though they are basically bad guys, you will find yourself torn between hating and loving them.

The show originally airs on the History Channel, so even though there’s still lots of sex, there is no blatant nudity. My hubby is not happy with this, but I find it refreshing.

Where to find it: The show is still airing on History Channel (at the time of posting) but you can also stream it on Hulu, and Amazon Prime

The Last Kingdom

Now that you’ve had a taste of Vikings, you are going to crave more.

Is he a Dane or is he a Saxon? Watch the drama unfold in The Last Kingdom. Credit/BBC America

Fortunately, some amazing writers gave us the story of Uhtred, son of Uhtred, in The Last Kingdom.

Uhtred was raised as a Viking, but ends up fighting on the side of Alfred the Great (the guy who came up with the idea of England).

Alfred the Great, is depicted as a young boy, the son of Athelstan, in Vikings, and as the adult King of Wessex in The Last Kingdom. Yay, crossovers!

The acting is awesome, Uhtred is super hot, and the battles are epic. The show has you constantly on edge as our hero is constantly torn between the Danes and England.

Do yourself a favor and just watch it already.

Where to find it: Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC America

Versailles

While we are on the subject of Athelstan, you can find this versatile actor playing another glorious role as King Louis XIV in Versailles.

You should be watching Versailles, dammit! Credit/Ovation TV

The year is 1667 and 28-year-old King Louis XIV is the sole commander of France, whose accomplishments include creating The Palace of Versaille – the most extravagant palace in all of France.

However, Versailles is almost just a stunning backdrop to the story of this incredibly narcissistic man.

When King Louis is not banging chicks and throwing lavish parties, he is busy controlling everyone’s lives including his younger brother – the flamboyant, Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, who is also quite the war hero.

Between the gorgeous scenery, elaborate costumes, scandalous betrayals, and war always brewing, there should be plenty here to satisfy your Game of Thrones withdrawals.

The different characters are so well developed, you’ll probably have trouble picking a favorite!

Personally, this is one of my favorite shows on Netflix, and it doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Don’t miss it!

Where to find it: Ovation, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

Rome

This show is centered around Titus Pulo and Lucius Verinus, two roman solder dudes who get caught up in the turmoil surrounding the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

Rome – Let the orgies begin! Credit/HBO

You’ll see the stories of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Brutus and the other cast of characters come to life in this historical drama.

You can get your fill of slaves, masters, assassinations, politics, and so much sex you can practically smell it.

As a bonus, it features Indira Anne Varma who played Ellaria Sand (the mother with the poison lipstick who killed Cersei’s daughter) in GoT.

It only lasted for 2 seasons because they blew their entire budget, but that just tells you that they spared no expense.

Where to find it: The show can be streamed on HBO Go and Amazon Prime.

Spartacus

If you love the GoT Daenerys and Unsullied storyline, you will definitely love Spartacus!

Spartacus is the story of a group of Roman slaves who are trained to be valiant Spartans who eventually led a major slave revolution

Is it hot in here or is it just Spartacus? Credit/Starz

These poor guys are basically paraded around like pieces of meat for the amusement of the wealthy and powerful.

Watch them fight, fuck, die, and grow more and more interesting as the series moves on.

Sadly, the original actor Andy Whitfield passed away between seasons, but his replacement Liam McIntyre did the role justice for sure.

Where to find it: The show originally aired on Starz, but you can also find it on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Frontier

Do you miss Khal Drogo? Well, fortunately, you can find him starring as Declan Harp on Frontier.

Missing Momoa? He’s here on Frontier. Credit/Netflix

Set in the 1700s, Declan Harp is a fur trapper and all-around badass who is trying to break up the corrupt Hudson’s Bay fur monopoly in Canada.

This show has soldiers, taverns, hookers, rich assholes, and Native Americans who fight with bows and arrows.

It almost feels a little like a gritty Western.

TBH, I really only watch it for Momoa. I just wish it was set in a warmer climate because seeing him all bundled up gets boring.

Where to find it: It’s a Netflix original

The Tudors

Since we’re playing the GoT 6 degrees of separation, remember Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), the queen consort who was married to Joffrey and Tommen?

You should see her play the naughty Anne Boleyn on the Tudors.

The legend of King Henry VIII comes to life in The Tudors. Credit/Showtime

The Tudors is a historical drama revolving around the early life of King Henry VIII, back when he was supposedly hot I guess.

There’s plenty of political drama, sex, violence, and betrayal to satisfy your GoT cravings. As a bonus, King Henry VIII was played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers who also stars in Vikings! 

Heads will roll and you’ll probably love every minute of it.

Where to find it: Showtime, Netflix, Amazon Prime

Reign

Kings and Queens were apparently pretty hot when they were young. And Mary, Queen of Scots was no exception.

Once you start Reign, you won’t want to stop! Credit/The CW

From the moment the 15-year-old princess arrives in France to marry the young soon-to-be King Francis, political and romantic discord surrounds her.

Mary and her Ladies in Waiting find themselves torn between lovers all while trying to keep the peace between Scotland and France. You’ll be torn too.

I admit I was very hesitant to watch this show. Since it originally aired on The CW channel, I was afraid it would be geared more towards tweens and would not have that edge that we all know and love.

But once you get past the revealing dresses that women in those days would NEVER wear, you’ll totally get sucked into the historical drama surrounding the life of a young Mary, Queen of Scots.

And if you love Cersai, you will love the scandalous Queen Catherine just as much. Get the popcorn!

Where to find it: Netflix, Amazon Prime

Marco Polo

Once you’ve had enough of Europe, you’ll want to go visit 13th-Century China in Marco Polo.

See how they do it in 13th-century China. Credit/Netflix

Marco Polo is the story about the Venetian Explorer Marco Polo (duh) who gets captured (and also upstaged) by Kublai Khan of the head of the Mongol Empire – now known as Beijing.

Kublai Khan is both a tyrant and a teddy bear. But you definitely don’t want to piss him off.

Let me tell you, this show is juicy and a feast for the eyes! Netflix spared no expense on the sets and the cast – which was ultimately its demise.

You’ll get drawn into the stories of everyone from the concubines all the way to the young emperor. And you’re sure to fall in love with the badass kung fu master, Hundred Eyes.

If you love lots of gratuitous sex and surprise deaths with an Asian twist, watch this damn show.

Where to find it: Netflix, Amazon Prime

Camelot

This short-lived Starz series is based on the story of King Arthur and the legend of Excalibur.

The short-lived series Camelot should provide temporary relief for your GoT withdrawals. Credit/Starz

Set in 6th century Britain, it features all the characters that you know and love from the stories ranging from King Arthur and Lady Guinevere to the sorcerer Merlin, and Arthur’s twisted sister Morgan Pendragon (Eva Green from Penny Dreadful).

The story is not as deep as one might hope, but there’s lots of beautiful scenery, betrayal, and magic.

Personally, I felt it was a little rushed, but that’s to be expected since they had to wrap it up after 1 season due to budgets.

But it is still an enjoyable show which can help you get through your Game of Throne withdrawal – if only for a bit.

Where to find it: Hulu, Starz, Amazon Prime

Nailed It!

After so much drama, it may be time to lay off the sauce and sober up a bit. So cleanse your pallet with this ridiculous baking show on Netflix.

Watch regular joes turn cookies into crap on Nailed It! Credit/Netflix

Nailed It! features amateur bakers who try to recreate elaborate cakes and the results are freaking hysterical.

It has nothing to do with sex, violence, or magic – hell, the closest thing you’ll get to royalty is maybe royal icing.

But even if you hate cooking shows, this one is pure comic gold!

There’s nothing like laughing your ass off to help beat your Game of Thrones withdrawal.

Where to find it: Netflix

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few more shows to help your Game of Thrones withdrawal that I’m just too tired to write about.

If you want to know more, you can just click on the links: Harlots, The Borgias, Black Sails, Knightfall, Merlin, Once Upon a Time, The Spanish Princess

And if you’re one of the few that have not watched Game of Thrones yet, that’s ok. If you enjoy any of the shows in this list, maybe now you’ll want to give it a try.

Then you’ll see what going through Game of Thrones withdrawal is really like. Skål!

What did you think of Game of Thrones? Have you watched any of these shows listed?

Leave me a comment and let me know!