Are you ever three seasons deep into a show and start wondering if its background lore comes from somewhere? Usually, when names like Camelot, Odin, or Merlin get thrown around, it becomes clear that the story is rooted in some sort of mythology or folklore. And although, sure, mythology is still fiction, I can’t help but like a show more when it has some sort of deep historical tie-in like that.
So, if you’re looking for a new show to watch with extensive lore you can follow down a rabbit hole, you’re in the right place. Here’s a list of some of my favorites.
Vikings (2013–2020) | Streaming on Netflix
As you can probably imagine, this series is about the Vikings, specifically the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok and his descendants, and their struggles with political power, conquest, and religion. But the lore behind it goes much deeper than just Scandinavian history.
One of the most prevalent mythological influences in this series is the religion practiced by pre-Christian Norse societies, usually referred to as Norse paganism. Nowadays, we refer to these beliefs as Norse mythology.
Norse paganism was based on the belief in multiple gods and goddesses, as well as other supernatural forces. Some of the most well-known gods are Odin, Thor, and Loki (and yes, they are similar to the Marvel characters, at least when it comes to some of their abilities). In the show, these gods are referenced throughout, but Odin is the one who actually makes appearances in occasional visions.
On a similar note, Norse mythology is strongly rooted in the belief in Valhalla—the afterlife in Odin’s hall, where warriors who died in battle were believed to be taken to prepare for the eventual end-of-times battle known as Ragnarök. This belief shaped the way many Vikings viewed death and battle, influencing the decisions and actions of the characters represented in this series.
The Witcher (2019–present) | Streaming on Netflix
Even though the creator, Andrzej Sapkowski, designed his own fantasy universe when he created The Witcher, he did have several mythological inspirations, especially when it came to the creatures. Three examples that draw on Slavic folklore and fairy tales are the leshy (forest spirits), the strzyga (a pretty creepy monster), and the Baba Yaga-inspired figure.
The only one of these that I am remotely familiar with was in a little ol’ book series known as Throne of Glass, and let’s just say Baba Yaga didn’t fare well there.
Either way, it’s interesting to know there are so many Slavic influences in The Witcher when I had just assumed the creatures, vampires, and white-haired hunters were run-of-the-mill fantasy characters.
The Sandman (2022–2025) | Streaming on Netflix
This is one of those shows where the mythology is impossible to ignore, but it is also impossible to follow. Don’t get me wrong, it was a pretty interesting show, but I think the problem was that it fell a bit too far down the rabbit hole, especially in the second season.
The series follows Morpheus, also known as Dream, who is inspired by the figure of the same name from Greek mythology who, yes, is the God of Dreams. And even though several other characters, including Calliope, Orpheus, and the Fates, also draw from Greek mythology, I wouldn’t say that’s the core mythological basis of the series.
Other characters are introduced who come directly from Norse mythology, including Odin, Thor, and Loki (yes, they make a lot of fantastical appearances). Unlike the usual stories of these gods, where they are worshipped as powerful deities, The Sandman presents them as just a few of many powerful beings.
But the show doesn’t stop there. It draws from African, Australian, and various European mythologies, not to mention Christian and biblical characters and places. Literally, it’s a show that introduces characters like Lucifer right next to a fae queen, right next to a pumpkin-headed man, right next to a Shakespearean character. If there were an award for the show that managed to incorporate the largest amount of random lore, this show would win hands down every time.
Supernatural (2005–2020) | Streaming on Prime Video and Peacock
I know it’s hard to believe, but there really is more to this show than two handsome brothers hunting ghosts and other frightening creatures. Which, if you managed to make your way through all fifteen seasons, you are probably well aware of, because I’d say it definitely went down a rabbit hole of its own. Although, I’d say it’s a bit easier to pinpoint the lore that this show draws upon.
With characters like the Archangel Michael, Lucifer, and the constant references to angels, demons, Heaven, and Hell, it’s clear that Christian theology is one of the core foundations of the show.
But what’s really cool is that the show doesn’t treat Christianity as the only true religion—it brings in gods from numerous other religious traditions, including Zeus, Odin, and Baldur. They all speak of the growing power of the Christian God and their worry about the eventual apocalypse.
When it comes to the creatures that our favorite duo hunts, though, the show has no limits. Slavic, Jewish, Irish, Islamic—you name the mythology, and this show has probably introduced a creature from it. And it is probably the only show on this list that incorporates American folklore (yes, we have some of that, too), with legends like Bloody Mary, the Woman in White, and the scarecrow.
Charmed (1998–2006) | Streaming on Prime Video and Peacock
Sure, this is the most outdated show on this list, and it might be just a bit too old for some to get into, given the ’90s graphics that are hard to ignore. But that doesn’t change the fact that it has some pretty good lore behind it.
Obviously, being a show about a family of witch sisters, it draws heavily from Wicca and modern witchcraft traditions—but that’s just the beginning. As the show goes on, we are introduced to beings and creatures from several different mythologies, including Greek, Norse, and other European traditions.
My favorite aspect is the show’s idea of Whitelighters, Darklighters, and the battle that exists between good and evil. Although the idea of Whitelighters is inspired by the Christian concept of guardian angels, the show tweaks it and creates something entirely its own. Whitelighters are supernatural beings specifically assigned to protect and guide good witches, with the added ability to heal them.
Ready to Go Down the Rabbit Hole?
These are just a few of my favorite examples of shows with deep and intricate background lore. There are hundreds more out there to discover and binge-watch. But if you’ve been wanting to get into a show with some cool mythological characters or concepts, these are definitely a great place to start.
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