15 shows to watch if you like Game of Thrones
By Sundi Rose
American Gods — Starz
What it is: American Gods is a fantasy series based on the popular book of the same name by Neil Gaiman. Ex-convict Shadow Moon (Rickey Whittle) is adrift after his release from prison, and is super skeptical of the charismatic Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane) when he asks him to be his bodyguard. Unbeknownst to Shadow, the world is full of magic and is currently playing host to a war between old gods and the new gods, such as Technology and Media.
The premise is fascinating on its own, but it’s so beautifully executed that you could watch it on mute and still enjoy it fully. With stars like Gillian Anderson, Kristin Chenowith, Crispin Glover and Orlando Jones, the show plays to its strengths in a way that will remind you of Game of Thrones. It has a surreal quality that captures both the grittiness of the content, but also the ethereal themes.
Why you’ll like it: Combing the fantasy of divine intervention with the realism of dramatic car chases, bar fights and gory deaths, American Gods takes on allegory with a deft hand, while still providing enough onscreen beauty to make its complicated plot easier to manage. Its glossy shots, beautifully wrought sets and gorgeous characters make it completely riveting. You’ll watch two episodes and realize there really isn’t anything else like it on TV.
Where to find it: You can watch season 1 and 2 on the Starz site and app.