Magic has always inspired television. But in the era of Netflix, Prime Video, technological advances, and streaming in general, some series stand out by adopting a meticulous and respectful approach to magical practices. Beyond their primary function of entertainment, they can also educate to some extent or help better understand certain concepts. In this article, I offer you 10 series that, through their rigor and respect for traditions, are worth watching.
Note that this is not a ranking but a list.
1. Salem (2014 - 2017)
| Cast | Janet Montgomery (Mary Sibley), Shane West (John Alden), Seth Gabel (Cotton Mather), Ashley Madekwe (Tituba), Tamzin Merchant (Anne Hale), and Elise Eberle (Mercy Lewis) |
| Creators | Brannon Braga, Adam Simon |
| Seasons | 3 |
| Episodes | 36 |
| Status | completed |
The series Salem dives into 17th century America, at the heart of the Salem witch trials. Although the series takes some creative liberties, it presents certain rituals related to witchcraft and paganism of the time in detail. The creators worked with historians and experts to reproduce works and incantations that might have been used back then, while exploring the fears and superstitions that led to these infamous trials.
2. Carnival (2003 - 2005)
| Cast | Nick Stahl (Ben Hawkins), Clancy Brown (Brother Justin Crowe), Michael J. Anderson (Samson), and Adrienne Barbeau (Ruthie) |
| Creators | Daniel Knauf |
| Seasons | 2 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Status | completed |
Carnival (or The Strange Caravan) is a series that blends mysticism and magic within the setting of the American Great Depression, and it has built a strong fan community. It explores occult themes such as the struggle between good and evil, tarot, and nature magic. Rituals and magical practices are often presented with particular attention to detail, all within a very distinctive atmosphere. Although the series does not focus solely on magic, it remains faithful to the esoteric traditions it explores.
3. Penny Dreadful (2014 - 2016)
| Cast | Eva Green (Vanessa Ives), Josh Hartnett (Ethan Chandler), Timothy Dalton (Sir Malcolm Murray), Billie Piper (Lily), and Rory Kinnear (Creature) |
| Creators | John Logan |
| Seasons | 3 |
| Episodes | 27 |
| Status | completed |
Penny Dreadful is a series that mixes various elements of gothic literature and occultism (the "penny dreadfuls" are small English tales related to creatures, vampires, or witches). Magical rituals, especially those related to the Kabbalah, necromancy, and witchcraft, are often presented very meticulously. The series creators collaborated with esoteric experts to ensure that the rituals and practices are as faithful as possible to authentic esoteric traditions. You will notably discover a powerful séance scene thanks to Eva Green's talent.
4. Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017)
| Cast | Kyle MacLachlan (Dale Cooper), Michael Ontkean (Harry S. Truman), Mädchen Amick (Shelly Johnson), Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer), and Sherilyn Fenn (Audrey Horne) |
| Creators | David Lynch, Mark Frost |
| Seasons | 3 |
| Episodes | 48 |
| Status | completed |
Twin Peaks, created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, is a cult series blending mystery, supernatural, and occult elements. Although magic is not central to the plot, the series incorporates shamanic rituals, visions, and esoteric concepts deeply rooted in mystical traditions. The enigmatic atmosphere of the series is enhanced by the use of occult symbols and magical practices linked to indigenous spirituality and American myths. This subtle yet respectful approach to mystical arts gives "Twin Peaks" a unique esoteric depth.
5. A Discovery of Witches (2018 - 2022)
| Cast | Teresa Palmer (Diana Bishop), Matthew Goode (Matthew Clairmont), Alex Kingston (Sarah Bishop), Valarie Pettiford (Emily Mather), and Lindsay Duncan (Ysabeau de Clermont) |
| Creators | Kate Brooke |
| Seasons | 3 |
| Episodes | 25 |
| Status | completed |
Adapted from Deborah Harkness's All Souls trilogy, this series dives into a world where witches, vampires, and demons coexist. The plot centers around a witch, Diana Bishop, who discovers an enchanted manuscript. The series stands out for its detailed portrayal of magic, with rituals, invocations, and ancient traditions carefully depicted. The author, herself a historian, ensured that the magical elements are grounded in thorough research.
6. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018 - 2020)
| Cast | Kiernan Shipka (Sabrina Spellman), Ross Lynch (Harvey Kinkle), Lucy Davis (Hilda Spellman), Miranda Otto (Zelda Spellman), and Chance Perdomo (Ambrose Spellman) |
| Creators | Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa |
| Seasons | 4 |
| Episodes | 36 |
| Status | completed |
Although this series is a dark and modern reinvention of the classic Sabrina character, it is based on real occult traditions. The series explores Wicca, satanism, and other forms of ceremonial magic with some rigor, while incorporating elements of pop culture. The rituals and invocations in the series are often inspired by real occult practices, adding an authentic dimension to the storytelling.
Moreover, you will see a very faithful representation of Baphomet. So faithful that the American satanist community accused the series of outright plagiarism.
7. American Horror Story: Coven (2013)
| Cast | Jessica Lange (Fiona Goode), Sarah Paulson (Cordelia Foxx), Kathy Bates (Madame Delphine LaLaurie), Angela Bassett (Marie Laveau), and Evan Peters (Kyle Spencer) |
| Creators | Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Episodes | 13 |
| Status | completed |
The third season of American Horror Story, titled Coven, focuses on a school for young witches in New Orleans. The series explores various aspects of black magic, voodoo, and occult traditions, notably featuring Marie Laveau. Although some elements are stylized in Ryan Murphy's signature style, AHS Coven strives to depict certain rituals accurately, especially those related to voodoo magic and the organization of a coven.
8. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015)
| Cast | Bertie Carvel (Jonathan Strange), Eddie Marsan (Mr Norrell), Charlotte Riley (Arabella Strange), Marc Warren (The Gentleman), and Alice Englert (Lady Pole) |
| Creators | Peter Harness |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Episodes | 7 |
| Status | completed |
This British miniseries, adapted from Susanna Clarke's novel of the same name, is a careful and scholarly depiction of magic in 19th-century England. It combines real historical elements with fictional magical traditions, but grounded in a reality reminiscent of alchemy and ceremonial magic practices. The rituals shown in the series are often based on historical and literary research, giving a sense of credibility and depth.
9. Outlander (2014 - 2024)
| Cast | Caitríona Balfe (Claire Fraser), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Tobias Menzies (Frank Randall / Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall), Sophie Skelton (Brianna Fraser), and Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield) |
| Creators | Ronald D. Moore |
| Seasons | 7 |
| Episodes | 83 |
| Status | ongoing |
Outlander, based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, explores elements of time travel but also magic and Celtic rituals. The series focuses particularly on Scottish traditions, including stone circles, medicinal herbs, and pagan rituals. Outlander integrates these practices with respect for Scottish history and culture, presenting an authentic vision of magic as it might have been perceived in the past. The creators consulted experts in history and folklore to ensure that the representations of rituals and beliefs are as accurate as possible.
10. The Magicians (2015 - 2020)
| Cast | Jason Ralph (Quentin Coldwater), Stella Maeve (Julia Wicker), Olivia Taylor Dudley (Alice Quinn), Hale Appleman (Eliot Waugh), and Arjun Gupta (Penny Adiyodi) |
| Creators | Sera Gamble, John McNamara |
| Seasons | 5 |
| Episodes | 65 |
| Status | cancelled |
The Magicians is a series that, although fantasy, draws on real occult and mystical traditions to develop its universe. The series is inspired by Kabbalah, Hermeticism, and other forms of mysticism and ceremonial magic. The creators consulted esoteric books and experts to develop rituals that, while fictional, have a solid basis in real magical traditions.
11. The bonus series: American Gods
| Cast | Ricky Whittle (Shadow Moon), Ian McShane (The Traveler), Emily Browning (Laura Moon), and Crispin Glover (Mr. World) |
| Creators | Bryan Fuller, Michael Green |
| Seasons | 3 |
| Episodes | 26 |
| Status | cancelled |
Although it is not focused on magic or rituals, the series American Gods is worth a look. Adapted from Neil Gaiman's novel, the series explores a world where ancient gods and pagan deities fight for their survival against new gods embodying modern obsessions such as technology, media, and capitalism. Through characters like Odin (The Traveler), the Queen of Sheba or Ostara, the series highlights new beliefs in the form of modern egregores such as Mr World, Media, or Technical Boy. That said, limit yourself to the first two seasons, the third having signed the death warrant of the series.
