From Shadowhunters to Cursed: 10 Female-led fantasy fiction shows to watch on OTT

When it comes to fantasy fiction, there is a special place in my heart shared by Game of Thrones and Star Wars alike. I know, I know, there is absolutely no comparison between the two. One is a fantasy drama based on the books of George R.R. Martin and the other an American epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas. Apart from the first names of the two creators, there is not much tying the two together. However this varied definition of ‘fantasy fiction’ is what has given rise to the innumerable shows streaming across OTT platforms under this genre.

As great as Lucifer and Jupiter’s Legacy might be, gone are the days where women must only be shown as someone’s wife, daughter, sister, or in a supporting role. We needed women to take center stage in our favorite shows too!

I believe the OTT gods acted as our personal genie and granted us not just three but an actual treasure trove full of shows that are not only female-led fantasy fiction narratives but also a delight to watch!

Don’t believe me? Have a look at these 10 shows streaming across OTT platforms that have taken the genre by storm:-

1. Luna Nera

Luna Nera (English: Black Moon) is an Italian TV show made by Francesca Manieri, Laura Paolucci, and Tiziana Triana. The plot occurs in seventeenth-century Italy and follows around ladies who are censured for being witches, who defend themselves and fight back. It appeared on Netflix on January 31, 2020, and it is certainly not your standard 'witches-are-horrendous they-must-be-hanged' figure of speech. The story is driven by a woman named Ade. After their grandmother is executed for being a witch, Ade and her more youthful kin are constrained to flee to a safe space for witches. Overflowing with energy, enthusiasm, and the discussion among science and religion, this show will leave you requiring more, explicitly after the end.

2. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is an American TV show created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa for Netflix, in view of the Archie comic book of a similar name. The show is by Warner Bros. TV, in accordance with Berlanti Productions and Archie Comics. On the off chance that you've grown up perusing Archie funnies, you'll totally adore this one! With the perfect measure of loathsomeness sprinkled for certain heavenly exhibitions by the cast, and driven by Sabrina Spellman herself, this is a stand-out show that will make you need to jump into your youth linen again!

3. Shadowhunters

Shadowhunters, otherwise called Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments, is an American show created by Ed Decter, in view of the famous book arrangement The Mortal Instruments composed by Cassandra Clare. The arrangement follows Clary Fray, our female lead (Katherine McNamara) who finds on her eighteenth birthday festivity that she isn't who she thinks she is, however rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters, human-angel crossbreeds who pursue down abhorrent spirits. Sounds like your quintessential kid meets young lady in the realm of vampires...and werewolves? Stand by, this isn't Twilight, I guarantee you. Truth be told, it's anything but a vastly improved show with a reason of conceivable guarantee. Similar sounding word usage to the side, marathon watch this show for some carefree fiction and you will love it!

4. Russian Doll

Russian Doll is an American parody TV show, made by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler, that debuted on February 1, 2019, on Netflix. Its first season got four Primetime Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress for a Comedy Series for Lyonne (Go, Queen!). In June 2019, the show was renewed for another season. The show follows Nadia Vulvokov (Lyonne), a game engineer who more than once passes on and remembers that very night in a continuous-time circle and attempts to address it, prompting her discovering Alan Zaveri in a similar circumstance (Charlie Barnett). It stars Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, and Elizabeth Ashley. One of the wittiest plot lines and composed so flawlessly, Russian Doll is an outright no-questions-asked, must watch!

5. Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid's Tale is an American TV show made by Bruce Miller, in light of the 1985 novel of a similar name by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood. The Handmaid's Tale's first season won eight Primetime Emmy Awards out of 13 , including Outstanding Drama Series. It likewise won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama. Elisabeth Moss was granted the Golden Globe for Best Actress and appropriately so for her portrayal of June Osborne, an ironwoman by her own doing. The plot includes an oppressed world after a Second American Civil War wherein authoritarian culture subjects women, called "Handmaids", to child bearing subjugation.

6. Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone is an American show created by Eric Heisserer for Netflix that debuted on April 23, 2021. A new top pick, it is based on two sets of books in the Grishaverse made by American writer Leigh Bardugo: her set of three, the first is Shadow and Bone (2012); and the duology that starts with Six of Crows (2015). Alina Starkov, a mapmaker in the First Army of Ravka, finds that she is a Grisha (a person who can perform "little science") with the ability to bring light. Exactly when her force is revealed to the world, strains arise between the nations of Ravka, Shu Han, and Fjerda. With the mentorship of General Kirigan (our own special Prince Caspian), a Grisha with the ability to control shadows, Alina transforms into Ravka's hope of destroying the Shadow Fold—a mass of impenetrable murkiness that has stained the land for a long time and split East and West Ravka. At the same time, a gathering of crooks in Ketterdam known as the Crows attempt to steal Alina and win a fortune. You will stand by anxiously after you finish the primary season!

7. I Am Not Okay With This

I'm Not Okay with This is an American dark satire TV show, in view of the comic book of a similar name by Charles Forsman. The show was available on Netflix on February 26, 2020, and got positive opinions, with acclaim for the performances, especially from Lillis and Oleff. The story follows Sophia Lillis as Sydney Novak, a 17-year-old youngster who starts acknowledging she has supernatural powers. The show stars Wyatt Oleff as Stanley "Stan" Barber and Sydney's neighbor and companion Sofia Bryant as Dina. A balance of off-kilter and beguiling, this show wanders through as outstanding amongst other transformations of a comic book and expects you to watch it!

8. Cursed

Cursed is an American TV show that debuted on Netflix on July 17, 2020. It depends on the delineated novel of a similar name by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler. Cursed is a rethinking of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a little youngster with a secretive blessing who is bound to turn into the incredible (and heartbreaking) Lady of the Lake. After her mom's passing, she tracks down a surprising accomplice in Arthur, a youthful hired fighter, in a mission to discover Merlin and convey an antiquated sword. Throughout the span of her excursion, Nimue transforms into a picture of solidarity and rebellion to the disturbing Red Paladins and their complicit King Uther. This tale about growing up has points conspicuous to our own time: the destruction of the ordinary world, dread, senseless war, and finding the strength to lead even with the unfathomable. Katherine Langford as Nimue should be persuading enough for you to tune directly into this show!

These are just a few favorites in the female-led fantasy world of OTT content. Here’s hoping that there are many more in the future!