You won't be seeing new episodes of GOT soon and you might find yourself a couple of extra minutes err hours in your schedule thanks to the void it left haha

These are my recommendations to pass the time (or at the very least, makes you forget about GOT for a moment) Let's all face it though, GOT by far is a juggernaut of a TV show, beating most fantasy films on its own. It's a trend setter, it's engaging, It's target audience is broad, and has a nice story to boot. It's going to be hard to fill it's shoes.

So without further ado, My list of TV Series you might want to watch ;)

#1 Westworld

Here's another entry from HBO, while not exactly in the same genre as GOT it still upholds the same production values and quality as you would expect from HBO.

It starts slow and confusing, you might need to re-watch from episode 1 once you reach a certain point, and that make's it so damn beautiful. Don't worry if you don't love the wild wild west genre as this is more than that. Without spoiling you, it's actually more it shows, it's actually more sci-fi than a period film.

WARNING: DO NOT SEARCH FOR IT'S SYNOPSIS ONLINE, or worse, in forums as you may get spoiled big time.

The story meshes beautifully, and everything becomes clear at the end. It only has one season so far as it is fairly new but the twists and turns, not to mention the character depth and development of the cast is superb. The second season is coming by spring 2018, and it only gets better from there.

#2 Designated Survivor

Now this is ways off from the fantasy genre and you might be wondering why I recommended this.

If you love the politicking, the backstabbing and Peter Baelish's cunning moves which is sort of a trademark of Game of thrones, then you'll like this. Game of thrones endeared itself to many not because of the dragons(that came in far later) but because of the wit, the cunning and the characters that all play in the "Game of thrones" because politics when it comes down to it, is really just a game, and it's not meant to be played fair.

It has a very interesting premise, a big explosion in the US capitol utterly destroys the US government, killing the President, Vice President, all the senators and Congressmen. Luckily for the US, they have a fail safe for such, to prevent the Federal Government from collapsing and that's a designated survivor. Someone chosen to succeed the President in case the line of succession is destroyed.

As you can probably foresee, our designated survivor, one of the lowest of low in the political foodchain thrusted into the highest position of the land, and the free world and you got yourself an edge of your seat drama with opportunistic backstabbers, politicians being politicians, a Country near collapse, Foreign terrorists taking advantage and what not.

Every episode is fast paced, it will leave you wanting more, watching the next and then the one after. It has 2 seasons so far, with Season 2 recently starting last September 27, 2017.

#3 Vikings

You probably expected this recommendation but I'll say it anyway. Although created for the history channel, don't be deceived as this is borderline Fantasy as well as it attempts to portray the epic that is Viking Ragnar Lothbrok. It's the closest you'll get to GOT feels with character depth and story progression as well as the setting.

The main difference however is that in GOT, everyone's the main lead with their own agenda. Vikings is an epic about Ragnar, known perhaps as one of the most famous vikings for reasons i won't spoil you (DONT LOOK HIM UP IN THE INTERNET)

So in terms of perspective, Vikings is kinda narrow in a sense that you'll be rooting for one guy, family the rest of the way. Don't be discouraged however as it has enough twists, political backstabbing on it's own which will keep you guessing at the edge of your seat.

The pitched battles are not as epic or large scale at the beginning, there's not much CGI here but the battles are gritty and plentiful. Since it's loosely based in real life events, you can see it tackle religion, human right issues, human frailty and the community of vikings, And no, they don't have horns on their helmets, that's a myth.

#4 Black Sails

If you love the grit, the nudity, the violence from GOT then you'll get hooked up in this pretty well. Albeit not as deep, the story is about one of the most famous pirates during the golden age of pirates, Captain Flint. Not quite your Jack Sparrow, he has to take control of a very chaotic setting overrun by thieves, prostitutes and other fellow pirates and scoundrels.

Give it a chance, though the pacing might seem slow during the first season as it establishes its narrative and characters, it picks up pretty fast after that.

#5 The Last Kingdom

This is GOT without the fantasy part. It is however, like Vikings, a Historical fiction, loosely based in history with some ficitonal elements to spice things up.

This BBC drama gets better as each episode progresses, IT's so good that it can actually rival GOT itself. If you take off your nostalgic glasses, and rewatch GOT from the first season, and you compare it from that point, it would be a head to head battle.

This one is set in 9th century Britain (Pretty much GOTish feels) when the country wasn't called "United Kingdom" yet haha you get the joke right?

Well anyway, it's still divided into factions and while they bickered, they were stabbed in the ass by the Danes or the Vikings as they're commonly referred to as. Kingdoms fell to the shield wall until only one is left standing, "the last kingdom", Wessex, and its famous leader, Alfred the Great, will have to outmaneuver the invaders and their enemies and it will be all for us to see.

Other notable mentions

Walking Dead 8 seasons - ongoing : This series started out strong, started to drag a bit by season 3 and beyond but it's still worth a watch. It will take your time believe me.

The Good Doctor 3 episodes - ongoing : Very new, recently aired it's premiere last September, it has an interesting premise albeit predictable. A Hospital admits a resident surgeon who's autistic, Drama ensues and political maneuvering from Hospital officials. If You love Sherlock, you'll like this.

Hell's Kitchen 17 seasons - ongoing : Why this you ask? well who doesn't love hearing Gordon Ramsay spew expletives at the poor sods? Season 17 just started and it's an all star version giving previous contestants a chance at redemption with a 2nd chance.

Shingeki No Kyojin 2 Seasons - ongoing : I know this is anime but if you're really eager to pass time, this is a good start. For anime lovers this is heaven, for those who are reluctant of this genre, this might hook you up. It has enough mystery, twists and wtf moments to keep you engaged. Try not to look it up on forums as you might get spoiled.

Photo links source:

Westworld
http://www.hbo.com/westworld/about/video/westworld-teaser-trailer.html

Designated survivor
http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/designated-survivor/51656/designated-survivor-season-2-a-major-cast-member-is-leaving

Vikings
https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/vikings-season-four-ratings/

Black Sails
http://collider.com/black-sails-season-3-jonathan-steinberg-robert-levine-interview/

The Last kingdom
https://www.gq.com/story/the-last-kingdom-is-game-of-thrones-without-dragons