Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Shannara Chronicles, which brought Terry Brooks’ beloved fantasy novels to life in an epic tale of elves, magic, and the fight against ancient evil in a post-apocalyptic world.
The Shannara Chronicles premiered on MTV on January 5, 2016, and ran for two seasons totaling 20 episodes with an average runtime of 43 minutes each. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, this American fantasy adventure series is based on Terry Brooks’ Shannara book series, specifically adapting “The Elfstones of Shannara.” The series was later made available on Netflix for international streaming, though it was cancelled by MTV in 2017 after two seasons.
Set thousands of years after the fall of human civilization, The Shannara Chronicles follows an unlikely trio of heroes as they embark on a quest to save the Four Lands from an ancient demonic threat. With its blend of fantasy mythology and post-apocalyptic elements, the series created a unique world where remnants of our modern technology coexist with magic, elves, and mystical creatures. Despite its cancellation, the show developed a devoted fanbase who appreciated its ambitious world-building and compelling character relationships.
The Ellcrys Tree and the Barrier Against Evil
The central plot revolves around the dying Ellcrys tree, a magical barrier that has kept the demon realm called the Forbidding sealed away for centuries. As the tree begins to fail, demons start escaping into the Four Lands, threatening to destroy all life. The quest to save the world falls to Princess Amberle, the first female Chosen in centuries, half-elf Wil Ohmsford who possesses powerful elfstones, and the human rover girl Eretria.
The Shannara Chronicles excels at creating a fantasy world that feels both magical and grounded in recognizable post-apocalyptic elements. The series masterfully weaves together themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of civilization’s rise and fall, while exploring how different races and cultures can unite against a common threat.
The show’s strength lies in its ability to balance epic fantasy adventure with intimate character moments, making the fate of the world feel personal through the relationships and growth of its central characters.
Wil Ohmsford: The Reluctant Half-Elf Hero
Austin Butler delivers a charismatic performance as Wil Ohmsford, a young half-elf who discovers he possesses ancient elfstones with incredible magical power. Throughout the series, Butler transforms Wil from a carefree healer-in-training into a confident hero who learns to embrace his mixed heritage and magical abilities.
Butler’s portrayal captures both Wil’s boyish charm and his growing maturity as he faces increasingly dangerous challenges. His character development is central to the series’ exploration of identity and belonging, as Wil struggles with being caught between the human and elven worlds while learning to harness powers he doesn’t fully understand.
Wil’s journey represents the classic hero’s path, but Butler brings enough personality and vulnerability to make the familiar arc feel fresh and engaging throughout both seasons.
Amberle and Eretria: Powerful Women Breaking Traditions
Poppy Drayton shines as Princess Amberle, the determined elven royal who breaks centuries of tradition by becoming a Chosen despite being female. Amberle’s character arc explores themes of duty versus personal desire, as she struggles with her destiny while challenging the patriarchal structures of elven society.
Ivana Baquero brings fierce independence to Eretria, a human rover who evolves from potential antagonist to crucial ally and love interest. The chemistry between the three leads creates compelling romantic tension while never overshadowing the larger quest narrative.
The supporting cast, including Manu Bennett as the warrior Allanon and John Rhys-Davies as the wise Eventine, adds gravitas and depth to the fantasy world while providing guidance and conflict for the younger heroes.
When Ancient Evil Breaks Free
Without spoiling the dramatic revelations, The Shannara Chronicles builds to climaxes that successfully blend large-scale fantasy battles with intimate character moments. The series doesn’t shy away from genuine stakes and consequences, with major characters facing real danger and making significant sacrifices throughout both seasons.
The final episodes of each season successfully escalate the fantasy elements while providing satisfying resolutions to character arcs, though the overall series conclusion left many plot threads unresolved due to the unexpected cancellation.
The climactic moments demonstrate how The Shannara Chronicles succeeded in creating epic fantasy television that honored its source material while adapting it for contemporary audiences.
Success and Cancellation on MTV/Netflix
The Shannara Chronicles found success on both MTV and Netflix, with the streaming platform helping the series reach international fantasy audiences who might not have discovered it on its original network. The series’ success lay in its ambitious production values, filmed entirely in New Zealand with stunning landscapes and practical effects that brought the Four Lands to life. Despite developing a passionate fanbase and receiving generally positive reviews for its world-building and performances, particularly Austin Butler’s lead role, the series struggled with MTV’s shifting programming focus. The show’s availability on Netflix helped maintain its popularity even after cancellation, proving that fantasy audiences were hungry for this type of content when given proper platform exposure.
Perfect Fantasy for Adventure Seekers
If you love epic fantasy adventures with romance, magic, and post-apocalyptic world-building, The Shannara Chronicles is worth watching on Netflix despite its premature ending. This ambitious fantasy series delivers stunning visuals, compelling characters, and enough adventure to satisfy any fan of the genre.
Why This Cancelled Fantasy Still Entertains
Positive Points:
- Austin Butler, Poppy Drayton, and Ivana Baquero deliver strong performances as the central trio
- Stunning New Zealand filming locations create an authentic fantasy world
- Interesting blend of post-apocalyptic elements with traditional fantasy mythology
- Strong female characters who break traditional fantasy stereotypes
- High production values with impressive practical effects and costumes
Negative Points:
- Series was cancelled after two seasons, leaving major storylines unresolved
- Some plot elements feel rushed due to limited episode count per season
- Romance subplots occasionally overshadow the main fantasy adventure
- Certain fantasy tropes feel familiar despite the unique post-apocalyptic setting
- MTV’s target demographic sometimes conflicts with the mature fantasy themes
The Shannara Chronicles proves that ambitious fantasy television can succeed when it combines compelling characters with imaginative world-building, even if network politics ultimately cut the journey short.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 20 episodes across 2 seasons (10 + 10 episodes)
- Platform: Netflix (international streaming), MTV (original broadcaster)
- Release Years: 2016-2017
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult
- Type of Production: American series (filmed in New Zealand)
- Status: Cancelled after 2 seasons (2017)
- Protagonists: Austin Butler (Wil Ohmsford), Poppy Drayton (Princess Amberle), Ivana Baquero (Eretria)
- Antagonists: Various demons from the Forbidding, Manu Bennett (Allanon – ally/mentor figure)