It's been five years since sures the books in a few ways, fully developing the character relationships that are hinted at in the novels but never fully explored. Running from 2015 to 2020, The Magicians made its mark on the fantasy sphere.
While there's no part of the series that should go unwatched, The Magicians' highest-rated episodes prove that the show is one of the best additions to the fantasy genre of the 2010s. While shows like Game of Thrones are more often talked about when it comes to major additions to the genre from this era, The Magicians shouldn't be overlooked. The show has a lot to offer, and with five seasons of excitement, drama, and intrigue, there isn't a wasted moment throughout this iconic series that should be ed for years to come.
The Magicians Is A Criminally Underrated Fantasy Show
Every Fantasy Fan Should Be Watching The Magicians
Airing on the Syfy network throughout its run, The Magicians never made as much of a mark on the fantasy genre as bigger-budget productions. However, for those who were watching or who found The Magicians later on, it's shocking that the show isn't recognized for its ground-breaking work in fantasy and the TV sphere as a whole. With a stellar ensemble cast led by Jason Ralph, Stella Maeve, Hale Appleman, Arjun Gupta, and many more incredible performers, The Magicians was a modern, darker take on the magic school story, bringing it to a new generation of fantasy fans.
While the story was always gripping and kept viewers on the edge of their seats, it was the characters who kept us invested in the series. has one of the saddest scenes in any fantasy TV show, cementing it as a series with the range to affect viewers on an emotional level. In the years since The Magicians ended, the show has become more than a cult classic, but it still has a long way to go before it gets the recognition it deserves.
The Magicians Was Consistently Good For Five Seasons
There's No Bad Season Of The Magicians
When it comes to most fantasy series, there's usually one season that doesn't measure up to the rest, but this isn't the case with The Magicians. From the beginning, the show was unafraid to make changes to Grossman's text to fit the TV format better and make the characters even more vivid. This meant that after The Magicians had adapted all three of Grossman's books, the show could continue for two more seasons, which are just as strong as the rest. While season 3 stands out as an especially well-imagined installment, every season pulls the audience in deeper.
10 Fantasy TV Shows That Are Almost Perfect
These fantasy TV shows did almost everything right, but one small issue is holding them back from being the best of all time within the genre.
Though there's no question that The Magicians changed a lot and that there were some devastating twists audiences never saw coming, this never impacted the quality of the show. It's hard to find a series that won't disappoint you at some point, and while The Magicians might make you cry, almost all of its narrative choices make sense and benefit the overall story. There are dark moments that can be hard to watch, but The Magicians prioritizes character and empathy, cementing it as a hit.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
The Magicians (2015–2020) |
91% |
74% |
Why The Magicians Ended With Season 5
It Was Hard To Say Goodbye, But The Magicians Ended With A Bang
Despite the hard work of the writers, creators, and cast to keep The Magicians going and see its characters get the endings they deserved, the show was cut short after season 5. Though Syfy canceled The Magicians, it's clear that the series' creators knew this might be the case, providing a satisfying finale for audiences to the show by (via Collider). Of course, we'll always be holding out hope that The Magicians might come back one day, but the series finale was a strong ending, regardless.
Watching the show for the first time today is just as fun as it was in the 2010s.
In some ways, it might be for the best that The Magicians was canceled, as the series never had the chance to start losing momentum. To the very end, The Magicians maintained the aspects of the story that made it so special to begin with. Some character endings were polarizing, but this doesn't ruin the legacy and longevity of The Magicians. Watching the show for the first time today is just as fun as it was in the 2010s.
The Magicians
- Release Date
- 2015 - 2020-00-00
- Network
- SyFy
- Showrunner
- Sera Gamble
Cast
Olivia Taylor DudleyAlice Quinn
Jason RalphQuentin Coldwater
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Chris Fisher, James L. Conway, Joshua Butler, John Scott, Carol Banker, Scott Smith, Guy Norman Bee, Rebecca Johnson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Meera Menon, amanda tapping, Bill Eagles, Jan Eliasberg, Kate Woods, Shannon Kohli
- Writers
- John McNamara, Henry Alonso Myers, David Reed, Noga Landau, Christina Strain, Leah Fong, Alex Raiman, Elle Lipson, David Reed
- Creator(s)
- Sera Gamble
Your comment has not been saved