For eight years, we had Game of Thrones to look forward to.

Now that it’s over, we’re left with the admin of finding something new to watch.

Even though the final season only aired for six weeks, it gave my Monday evenings meaning. This is why I’ve now found myself trolling lists with titles like “best series 2019” in an attempt to find something to take its place.

To save you the tediousness of doing the same, here are five shows to fill that dragon-shaped void in your heart.

Don’t worry, we’ll pull the Band-Aid off slowly, starting with a documentary about the Game of Thrones final season.

Technically, this means it’s four series and a doccie, but we aren’t going to argue over such fine points.

The Last Watch

The doccie will take you behind the scenes of the epic final season in the series. Take an in-depth look at the special effects, magic and mastery that went into each episode.

Once you’ve watched that, move on to the series that gave Beric Dondarrion from Game of Thrones nightmares for the first time in his life:

Fortitude (season three)

Perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Fortitude used to be one of the safest towns on Earth. At the start of season one, they’ve never experienced a violent crime.

Obviously, that all changes in horrifying ways.

Let’s just say that not everyone in the all-star ensemble cast of Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci (Spotlight, The Lovely Bones); Golden Globe nominees Dennis Quaid (The Day After Tomorrow, Far From Heaven) and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore in Harry Potter); BAFTA winners Sofie Gråbøl (The Killing), Darren Boyd (Killing Eve), and Ken Stott (Balin in The Hobbit); International Emmy winner Christopher Eccleston (The Leftovers, Doctor Who); and Game of Thrones’ favourite Michelle Fairley (aka Catelyn Stark) has survived the first two seasons.

You can catch Last Watch and all three seasons of Fortitude on Showmax.

Chernobyl

This chilling series explores the real-life 1986 catastrophe at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant – the events leading up to it, the misinformation, and devastating consequences.

Watch Chernobyl now on DStv Now.

Vikings

If you’re missing Dany from Game of Thrones, then you’ll love Lagertha in Vikings. Here’s MyBroadband:

A clash of bloodthirsty warriors, a world where old gods meet the new. Prophecies and power struggles for the crown in Kattegat, Wessex and Paris. It’s never too late to get into Vikings; all that’s missing is a white walker or two.

You can binge watch it from the beginning on Showmax.

Westworld

You can watch seasons one and two on Showmax, and season three is coming soon.

This is world-building in a whole different genre, but just as nuanced. In a theme park populated by robots, powered by artificial intelligence and willing to turn a blind eye to morality, the rich play God. Look out for season 3 of Westworld coming later this year.

Something to look forward to.

The easiest way to get your binge on is to get these, as well as loads of other quality local and international content, on Showmax, which is free for DStv Premium subscribers.

Don’t have DStv? Sign up for a FREE two-week trial.

Who knows, maybe your rebound series will turn into your new favourite.

If not, with Showmax, you can always go back and watch Game of Thrones again.

[source:mybroadband]