The Magicians
Imagine if the Halliwell sisters went to a magical graduate school. Based on Lev Grossman's bestselling novels, The Magicians is a darker, more adult exploration of what it means to wield power. The story starts with Quentin Coldwater, a lifelong fantasy
fan who discovers that not only is magic real, but the magical world from his favorite childhood books is, too—and it's far more dangerous than he ever imagined. While it lacks the direct sisterly bond of Charmed, the show excels at building a 'found family' among its core group of students at Brakebills University. They bicker, betray, and ultimately die for one another, all while navigating a universe where magic, as one character notes, "comes from pain." It’s a perfect next step if you loved the complex lore and the high stakes of the Halliwells' later seasons.
Motherland: Fort Salem
This Freeform series answers a fascinating question: What if the Salem witches ended their persecution by cutting a deal to become the U.S. Army? The show follows a trio of new witch recruits—Raelle, Tally, and Abigail—as they train in combat magic. Sound familiar? The core dynamic of three powerful young women learning to combine their unique strengths is the central pillar here, much like the Power of Three. Motherland builds a dense, alternate-history world where magic is channeled through vocal cords and military strategy. It trades the San Francisco setting for a military base, but the themes of sisterhood, sacrifice, and finding your power are pure Charmed. The bond between the central trio provides the show's emotional anchor as they face a deadly terrorist group known as the Spree.
A Discovery of Witches
If the epic romance between Piper and Leo was your favorite part of Charmed, then A Discovery of Witches is your next obsession. The series centers on Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch who, while studying at Oxford, accidentally uncovers a long-lost magical manuscript. This act draws the attention of the entire supernatural community, including the enigmatic vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Their forbidden love story forms the heart of the show, echoing the challenges faced by witches who dared to love forbidden beings. But it's not just a romance; the show delves deep into magical history and the politics between witches, vampires, and demons, all of whom are vying for the powerful book. It offers a more mature, polished, and lore-heavy experience, perfect for viewers who appreciated the world-building and high-stakes relationships in Charmed.
Legacies
For those who miss the sheer fun of early Charmed—the monster-of-the-week format, the witty banter, and the challenge of balancing a supernatural life with a normal one—Legacies delivers in spades. A spinoff of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, the show is set at the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted, where a new generation of supernatural beings learns to control their powers. The series often features a new monster in each episode, from dragons to gargoyles, which the students must defeat. This structure creates a nostalgic, case-of-the-week feel that defined much of Charmed's run. While it's part of a larger universe, Legacies stands on its own as a heartfelt and action-packed series about young heroes finding their place in the world, a theme the Halliwell sisters would surely appreciate.
