If you still find yourself mourning the death of your favorite house elf or practicing spells in anticipation of your late acceptance to Hogwarts, you might be certifiably Potter-obsessed. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Even if it has been over 20 years since the original publication of J.K. Rowling’s beloved wizarding saga, muggles like us are still just as enthralled with the story as ever. We’ve read the books and watched the movies more times than we can count and taken every sorting hat quiz the internet has to offer. Still, we must admit: we can let the soothing sounds of Jim Dale’s audiobooks cradle us to sleep forever, but we may never truly be able to capture the utter joy we felt when we heard the story of Harry Potter for the first time. It’s the memory of this first magical experience that keeps us all coming back again and again, and it’s a feeling we’d all love to re-create.
While we can’t, unfortunately, use Hermione’s time-turner to travel back to that day before we’d ever experienced the Potter phenomena, we can try to recapture that magic with new, Potter-esque tales. When you’re missing the good old days in Hogwarts castle but craving something completely fresh, these are the TV shows you should turn to. Whether they feature witches and wizards, faraway lands, or simply great friendships, these stellar shows will help to fill the void that Harry and his pals have left behind.
– Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
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The Magicians
What if Harry, Ron, and Hermione attended grad school, discovered a Narnia-like kingdom, and experimented with psychedelic drugs? You’d basically have The Magicians. This SYFY original series centres on a group of 20-something magicians who attend wizarding school in upstate New York and face all kinds of mythical beasts and dark magic. Just picture Dumbledore’s Army with a lot more sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Being Human
Focusing on one female and two male roommates sharing an apartment in Boston, this show gives us immediate Harry, Ron, and Hermione vibes – not to mention the fact that these roomies happen to be a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost. Checking off all of the supernatural boxes, this show explores what it’s like to be totally inhuman in a very human world. No word yet on whether Remus Lupin or Moaning Myrtle make a cameo appearance. (The original version is out of the UK, which may give you even more of a Harry Potter feel.)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
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Roswell
For those who think the Potter franchise could have really benefited from an alien abduction, we’ve got the show for you. This WB classic only lasted for a few seasons in the early 2000s, but it packed in enough romantic teen drama and alien mystery to last a lifetime. Centring on a group of high schoolers in UFO hotbed Roswell, New Mexico, the show explores what happens when humans fall in love with human-like (and very attractive) aliens. Plus, the magic and friendship pull at our Potter-loving heartstrings.
Where to watch: Hulu
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Charmed
The reigning queens of the television witches, the ladies of Charmed were kicking butt and taking names long before Netflix was even on the horizon. The Halliwell sisters used their combined Power of Three to protect the innocent against the forces of evil and honed their powers until they were serious forces to be reckoned with. While a reboot of the series is allegedly in the works, the original Prue, Piper, and Phoebe will always have a special place in our hearts.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Hemlock Grove
Although this Netflix original series may not be for the scaredy cats out there, Hemlock Grove reminds us of the darker, creepier parts of the Potter franchise. It takes place in a fictional town in Pennsylvania that is full of secrets, housing strange creatures and even stranger residents. A series of recent brutal murders begin to uncover dark rumours, eventually leading to revelations about the town that are scarier than fiction.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Marvel's Runaways
Although this show fits more comfortably in a world of superheroes than one of wizards, its group of young, talented protagonists hearken back to Rowling’s books. When a group of high school students find out their parents are actually secret super villains, they must band together, hone their powers and investigate what their parents are really up to. (Think Harry’s crusade against Snape in Sorcerer’s Stone, but take it up a few notches.)
Where to watch: Hulu
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer
This ’90s classic has more girl power than you ever thought possible, from its strong, determined female lead to her intelligent, kindhearted best friend (who also happens to be an incredibly talented witch). The series might focus on a vampire slayer and the darkness she must vanquish, but it encompasses much deeper issues of love, friendship, family, and responsibility. Come for the variety of supernatural characters and killer fight scenes, but stay for the Angel vs. Spike debate.
Where to watch: Hulu
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Grimm
Want a little Law & Order mixed in with your Potter vibes? Grimm takes on fantasy from an entirely new standpoint, centering on a homicide detective who learns he’s a descendant of a line of Grimms, or guardians who fight evil forces. Loosely based on the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales, it might be the Tales of Beedle the Bard fix you’ve been craving.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
