Saagar Kote
AMC’s adventure drama series ‘Nautilus,’ created by James Dormer, is set in the year 1857, during which the British East India Mercantile Company, a global powerhouse, dominates the world with its private military and naval forces, plundering wealth from conquered nations. Meanwhile, in Kalpani, India, the Company is secretly constructing the formidable submersible, the Nautilus, using forced labor from a colonial prison. Delving into the origin story of Captain Nemo (Shazad Latif) and his legendary submarine, the series follows the dispossessed Indian prince, now a captive of the East India Company. Fueled by a burning desire for retribution against those who stripped him of everything, Nemo sets sail with his diverse crew aboard the impressive Nautilus. Their journey involves confronting formidable adversaries and exploring captivating underwater worlds.
Inspired by Jules Verne’s ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’, the adventure drama sees its protagonist battling numerous obstacles. His quest is not merely for redemption but also for the salvation of his soul. The drama explores profound themes such as revenge, the insidious, corrupting influence of power, and the complexities of colonization, while simultaneously delving into both physical and emotional depths. If the adventure, theatrics, and visuals of narrative impressed you, these shows like ‘Nautilus’ will be of interest to you.
10. Shadow and Bone (2021-2023)
‘Shadow and Bone,’ based on Leigh Bardugo’s trilogy, centers on Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a young mapmaker in a world consumed by dark forces. Alina unexpectedly discovers her ability to summon light, a power that thrusts her into a pivotal role in the ongoing war, as she is the only one capable of wielding such a force. The protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery, accompanied by her childhood friend Malyen Oretsev (Archie Renaux) and a group of intriguing individuals. During this voyage, she uncovers truths about the world and her own past. Her narrative becomes intertwined with the daring heists orchestrated by the cunning Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter) and his crew in distant lands, ultimately setting the scene for an epic conflict between the forces of light and darkness.
The Eric Heisserer creation, akin to ‘Nautilus,’ is a fantasy drama series that features an exploration of the unknown and has mystery and intrigue as a driving force. Both series delve into themes of colonialism, classism, and oppression, utilizing their distinct settings to scrutinize power dynamics and imperialistic structures.
9. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024-)
Albert Kim’s creation, ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ is set in a fictional world comprising four nations, each aligned with a classical element: the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. Within these nations, certain individuals, known as ‘benders’ possess the ability to telekinetically manipulate one of the four elements. The narrative centers on twelve-year-old Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier), who, after a century frozen in ice, awakens as the sole survivor of the Air Nomads and the next Avatar capable of mastering all four elements.
Analogous to ‘Nautilus,’ the epic mythical drama series, a live-action adaptation of the eponymous Nickelodeon series, dives into adventures and traverses the realm in which it is set. Both narratives revolve around the struggle against imperialism, where the protagonists strive to reinstate liberty and equilibrium in a world overrun by evil empires. Simultaneously, they underscore the power of solidarity and allegiance within communities of individuals who exist outside the prevailing system.
8. The Last of Us (2023-)
‘The Last of Us’ follows a battle-hardened man named Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), who has to risk everything he has to protect Ellie (Bella Ramsey) after it is discovered that she is naturally immune to the threats posed by a mass fungal infection that turns the affected into violent beings. The post-apocalyptic series created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann is based on the eponymous video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog. The main narrative is set decades after the collapse of society following the inception of the fungal threat. Joel loses his daughter in the ensuing chaos after the fungus first infects the world, but years later, he finds himself in a situation where he cannot let another young girl lose her life.
In ways similar to ‘Nautilus,’ the storyline centers around the trials and tribulations of a man who gets drawn into unexpected battles. The protagonists in both shows are shaped by personal tragedy, due to which they are deeply traumatized and emotionally guarded. Their narratives center on finding purpose through relationships. Connection and loyalty are highlighted as crucial in a world marked by betrayal, violence, and loneliness.
7. Shahraman (2023-2024)
Drawing inspiration from the Turkish legend of Shahmaran, a mythical being depicted as half-woman and half-snake, the Turkish Netflix series ‘Shahmaran,’ created by Pınar Bulut, chronicles her story. In the storyline, determined to confront her estranged grandfather, who abandoned her mother years ago, Sahsu (Serenay Sarikaya) travels to Adana as a lecturer. There, she encounters the Mar, an unusual and enigmatic community descended from Shahraman. The Mar people deeply believe in the legend of Shahmaran, a powerful symbol of love and wisdom, and anticipate the fulfillment of a historical prophecy with Sahsu’s arrival. When Sahsu and Maran, who seek answers from her grandfather about the past, cross paths, their lives are irrevocably changed.
Similar to ‘Nautilus,’ the protagonist embarks on a transformative journey, uncovering concealed truths about her heritage, fate, and objective. Both shows delve into unseen societies that exist beyond mainstream perception. These worlds are inhabited by individuals possessing unique knowledge, enduring significant trauma, or wielding extraordinary power.
6. His Dark Materials (2019-2022)
Based on the eponymous trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman, ‘His Dark Materials,’ follows Lyra Silvertongue (Dafne Keen), a young orphan residing with scholars at an Oxford college in an alternate world, who embarks on a quest to find her missing friend. This journey leads her to uncover a secret connected to a series of kidnappings. She discovers her destiny is to free her world from the Magisterium’s control, an organization that suppresses people’s connection to magic and their daemons, which are their animal spirits. The fantasy series created by Jack Thorne, akin to ‘Nautilus,’ delves into the unknown and the challenges that it presents. Both series revolve around a struggle against oppressive systems, featuring protagonists who battle for freedom, truth, and self-governance. They are epic journeys where characters explore uncharted territories, both outwardly and within themselves, while confronting immense danger.
5. The Nevers (2021-2023)
‘The Nevers’ is the story of Victorian women who mysteriously develop powers. Among them are Amalia True (Laura Donnelly), a smart and mysterious widow, and her best friend Penance Adair (Ann Skelly), a brilliant inventor. Together, they must face a relentless onslaught of enemies to complete a mission that could change the world as they know it. The Joss Whedon creation dives into feminist themes and the idea of women possessing powers during an era that didn’t recognize their strengths. Analogous to ‘Nautilus,’ it explores the idea of the powerless becoming powerful, especially in an era that doesn’t provide them justice. Both shows feature protagonists who are marginalized by society and choose to rebel, thereby questioning established systems of power and control. Each narrative unravels an enigma, drawing audiences into intricate backstories and immersive world-building.
4. The Letter for the King (2020)
‘The Letter for the King’ is a drama series based on Tonke Dragt’s novel of the same name. It tells the story of Tiuri (Amir Wilson), a young aspiring knight, who embarks on a dangerous quest to deliver a secret letter to the King residing across the Great Mountains. In the fictional realm of Dagonaut, a young squire participates in a trial for aspiring warriors. The final test requires the amateurs to spend a night in silent contemplation within the Knights of Dagonaut’s tomb, a place reportedly haunted by the spirits of fallen knights. Their silence is broken by a dying Black Knight, who has stolen a sealed letter from Prince Viridian’s Red Riders. The Black Knight demands Tiuri to swear an oath and deliver the letter and his ring to King Favian of Unauwen before the next full moon.
Like ‘Nautilus,’ the narrative in the Will Davies creation focuses on the adventure of the protagonist, delving into mysterious circumstances and facing unlikely foes. Both shows explore the theme of growth forged through adversity. Characters find themselves on world-altering missions, compelled to confront self-doubt and meet monumental challenges.
3. Carnival Row (2019–2023)
‘Carnival Row,’ is based on Travis Beacham’s script, ‘A Killing on Carnival Row.’ The narrative revolves around a human detective, Rycroft Philostrate (Orlando Bloom), and a refugee, Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne), who come together to probe a sequence of horrific killings, only to expose a horrifying and unimaginable entity orchestrating the crimes. The Travis Beacham and René Echevarria creation offers a captivating tale of friendship and redemption through the idea of justice. Much like ‘Nautilus,’ these drama series delve into the lasting harm caused by colonialism, encompassing themes such as displacement, racial oppression, and rebellion. Both shows portray underground and secret uprisings against prevailing and dominant systems, where intellect, discretion, and solidarity are as crucial as overt confrontation.
2. Andor (2022-2025)
Set in the Star Wars universe, ‘Andor’ is an adventure series created by Tony Gilroy. This direct prequel to ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ chronicles Cassian Andor’s (Diego Luna) transformation into an unexpected rebel hero. Initially, Cassian is a man on the run from the Galactic Empire’s forces. However, he soon joins other anti-Empire factions on a galaxy-spanning adventure, aiming to thwart the Empire’s quest for galactic dominance through theft, resistance, and counter-operations. What begins as a simple narrative of a fugitive evolves into a legendary saga of heroism, sacrifice, relentless struggle, and defiance against evil. The show is enriched with profound political undertones, expanding the Star Wars Universe by introducing new cultures, peoples, and languages.
Like ‘Nautilus,’ the adventure drama series features a reluctant hero forged by oppression. His narratives center on fostering rebellion from the ground up. Both shows delve into the origin stories of iconic rebels, exploring the human cost of revolution. They prioritize realistic, character-driven storytelling, addressing heavy themes such as colonialism, resistance, and trauma.
1. Vikings (2013-2021)
In ‘Vikings,’ as Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a Norse farmer, carries out dangerous raids into English territory with the help of his fellow warriors, he ends up holding sway over the Vikings and becoming a Scandinavian king. The series follows the triumph and rise of Ragnar, who becomes a legendary hero after multiple battles and a ferocious crisis with his old faith clashing with an emerging Christian religion. The Michael Hirst creation delves into the treacherous oceans of Northern Europe and examines the social order of the Vikings, who are perhaps one of the most well-known warrior clans the world has ever seen.
Akin to ‘Nautilus,’ the show features an ambitious protagonist who goes out of his way to achieve his objectives. Both shows also feature tremendous and captivating sequences in the ocean, where ships and men have to face the fury of the water to survive and reach their goals. The elements of battle and a face-off against the unknown are a vital part of both narratives.
Read More: Shows Like The Gilded Age You Must See
