Yes, Game of Thrones is epic, intense, and a true television legend. But let’s be honest: eight seasons, hundreds of characters, and dozens of hours of runtime — it’s not exactly a quick watch. Sometimes you want something just as dark, ambitious, and plot-driven, but without the half-year commitment.
If political intrigue, power games, dynastic feuds, and sudden twists are your thing, here are three excellent mini-series for you. They’re shorter, but no less gripping. Plus, they come with high ratings and impressive casts.
The Hollow Crown (2012)
IMDb: 8.5
This mini-series brings together several of Shakespeare’s plays adapted for the screen, portraying the dramatic fates of English monarchs — from Richard II to Henry V.
On screen: Jeremy Irons, Tom Hiddleston, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Behind the plot lies everything we love about Game of Thrones: the thirst for power, betrayal, wars, and love. Only this time, it’s set not in fictional Westeros, but in real British history.
The Pillars of the Earth (2010)
IMDb: 8.1
Harsh 12th-century England — religious conflict, dynastic struggles, sieges, bonfires, and cold stone. Eight episodes packed with events and characters, including roles played by Ian McShane and Eddie Redmayne. It’s a story about how, amidst the chaos of war, not only a cathedral is built, but also human destinies. The atmosphere is very Game of Thrones — just without dragons and much faster-paced.
The White Queen (2013)
IMDb: 7.8
At the center are three women, each craving power during the War of the Roses. The series dives into a world of court intrigue and cunning alliances, where it’s not just men deciding the fate of the kingdom.
Here, too, plots are woven, hearts and thrones are weighed against each other, and everything is put on the line for influence. Just ten episodes — and you’re deep inside a true medieval chess match.
