Romantasy, the combination of romance and fantasy, has always been a popular genre, even before the clever portmanteau entered the pop culture lexicon. Recently, the rise of romantasy books like Fourth Wing and the ACOTAR series on BookTok and Bookstagram has renewed interest in the beloved subgenre.
There’s something intriguing about blending staples of fantasy like magic, mythical creatures, adventure, and enchanted worlds with heartfelt love stories. Romantasy usually includes beloved romance genre tropes, such as forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, and star-crossed lovers, resulting in viewers experiencing the best of both worlds.
10
Shadowhunters
2016-2019, 3 Seasons
Like many romantasy TV shows on this list, Shadowhunters was adapted from a popular book series, The Mortal Instruments novels by Cassandra Clare, and follows Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara), a human-angel hybrid tasked with hunting down dark supernatural creatures.
While the romantic relationship in Shadowhunters is central to the plot, Clary and Jace’s (Dominic Sherwood) love story is complex. The two initially believe they are siblings, so they don’t get together immediately. But when it’s revealed they are not related, their forbidden romance is heartfelt and at times dramatic, with the lengths they go to protect each other making the series a satisfying romantasy watch.
9
My Lady Jane
2024, 1 Season
My Lady Jane is probably one of the strangest takes on the story about the Nine-Day Queen, Lady Jane Grey. The Prime Video fantasy series takes place in an alternate version of England, which sees its characters divided into two factions: Ethians, humans who can transform into animals, and Verities, the people who hunt them.
The series’s romance aspect comes from the political marriage between Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) and Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel). Although the two weren’t each other’s choice when it came to life partners, their growing romance ends up being the glue of the Prime Video series. Unfortunately, the show’s quirkiness didn’t seem to click for enough viewers, and My Lady Jane was canceled after one season.
8
Shadow And Bone
2021-2023, 2 Seasons
Based on the Grishaverse novels by Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone includes a rich and immersive fantasy world filled with magic, war, and terrifying creatures. At the core of the story is Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a young cartographer with the rare ability of being able to summon light, a gift that has the potential to destroy the Shadow Fold.
Alina’s love interest in Shadow & Bone is Mal Orestev (Archie Renaux), a young man she grew up with. Because Alina and Mal’s relationship was platonic for several years, the way the friends-to-lovers dynamic is developed in the series is admirable, as it’s given the necessary time it needs to evolve into something more. Although Alina and Mal were often separated by war and duty, their love for each other never dissipated.
7
True Blood
2008-2014, 7 Seasons
The Twilight movies were a huge hit in the romantasy world, but it was True Blood that paved the way for the genre on TV. The series’ concept of vampires living among humans is one we’ve seen several times over, but it’s the way that the supernatural show puts love at the center of its story that makes it memorable.
True Blood isn’t a perfect show by any means, because it certainly hasn’t aged well. Putting aside all the ways in which it falls short, True Blood has enough romantic relationships and steamy scenes to keep audiences interested. Yes, it could be a tad dramatic, but it was the drama and relationship dilemmas that kept viewers glued to their screens.
6
Pushing Daisies
2007-2009
Romantasy series are known for their passionate scenes and steamy moments. Pushing Daisies, however, doesn’t lean on that part of the genre. The fantasy show focuses on Ned (Lee Pace), a piemaker who can resurrect people with just one touch, but once he does so, he can never touch them again.
So when he brings his childhood love back to life, the two aren’t allowed to have any physical contact. This, in itself, is what makes Pushing Daisies so exceptional, because Charlotte (Anna Friel) and Ned have to find other ways of expressing the love they have for each other. Pushing Daisies perfectly utilizes its emotional pull and shows that romantasy can work well, even without spice.
5
Once Upon A Time
2011-2018, 7 Seasons
A reiteration of beloved fairy tales, Once Upon a Time set itself apart as an enchanting series that looked at the characters from the famous stories in a unique way. Since it’s based on fairy tales, Once Upon a Time is filled with romance. However, happily ever after isn’t so clear-cut in the fantasy TV show compared to the original tales it’s based on.
The real magic in Once Upon A Time is true love. Granted, the show heavily emphasizes its characters’ motivations and backstories, but it never forgets that it’s a series about true love and how couples who have been pulled apart by dark magic, time, and villains can still find each other because of it.
4
Outlander
2014-2026, 8 Seasons
Outlander isn’t entirely a romantasy series because it borrows concepts from different genres. However, there are some things about the show, like time travel through magical stones and Claire’s (Caitríona Balfe) supernatural healing powers, that make it fit into fantasy. But Outlander‘s biggest draw isn’t its genre-bending storyline.
Outlander is currently airing its eighth and final season on Starz.
The series’s strength comes from Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire’s romance. Their love story goes through many ups and downs throughout the series. They are separated several times, but the choices they make to stay together despite war, time travel, and other obstacles that threaten to pull them apart show just how deep and true their love for each other is.
3
Interview With The Vampire
2022-Present, 2 Seasons
Romantic relationships in supernatural TV shows are often complicated, but very few romantasy series truly look at the complexity of love that lasts for centuries. Based on Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles, Interview With The Vampire focuses on Louis (Jacob Anderson), a creature of the night who shares the experiences of his long life through an interview.
The series depicts Lous and Lestat’s (Sam Reid) relationship, which is by no means perfect. Through the centuries, their romance is often complex, messy, and intense. Interview With The Vampire’s depiction of a long-term love isn’t always easy to watch, but it’s nonetheless essential, because the couple’s imperfections are a necessary part of their romance.
2
A Discovery Of Witches
2018-2022
Unfortunately, A Discovery of Witches doesn’t get the flowers it deserves in the romantasy genre. While most fantasy TV shows feature love stories between vampires and humans, A Discovery of Witches, is a love story between a witch and a vampire, something which is usually frowned upon in the supernatural world.
The fact that Diana (Teresa Palmer) and Matthew’s (Matthew Goode) relationship is forbidden is certainly intriguing. But it’s the way the series takes its time to develop them as a couple that makes it shine. Although their chemistry is palpable, they don’t immediately jump into each other’s arms. Instead, they navigate aspects of their lives together, which helps them form the trust they need to enter into a romantic relationship.
1
The Vampire Diaries
2009-2017, 8 Seasons
Adapted from L.J. Smith’s fantasy novels of the same name, The Vampire Diaries is one of the best romantic fantasy TV shows in recent years. Focusing on a love triangle between Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), a human who is in love with two vampire brothers, TVD offers a lesson on how to seamlessly blend romance with lore.
While Elena and the Salvatore brothers’ (Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder) love story is the main romance in TVD, the show also features other couples, like Caroline (Candice King) and her forbidden relationship with Tyler (Michael Trevino). There is something addictive about The Vampire Diaries, and that stems from how the characters in the series are easy to love or hate.
The Vampire Diaries is a staple in the romantasy genre and remains popular even to this day. The series spans two spinoff TV shows, The Originals and Legacy, further proving its enduring appeal.
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