Television series

Legacies

Name: Legacies
Genre: Drama, Romance, Supernatural
Released: 2018
Cast: Matthew Davis, Danielle Rose Russell, Jenny Boyd, Quincy Fouse, Aria Shahghasemi

A supernatural boarding school drama following the next generation of witches, vampires, and werewolves as they navigate adolescence, identity, and destiny. Legacies leans harder into teen romance and lighter mythology than its predecessors, with genuine warmth and character investment alongside the gothic trappings. For fans of ensemble teen drama who want stakes that matter but won't drain you emotionally every week.

TVMaze rating

3.7

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you like the bickering ensemble of a boarding school where teenagers cause as much trouble as they solve, and a supernatural world with its heart on its sleeve.

Skip it if the tone swings between earnest life lessons and goofy monster-of-the-week fun, so if you want a sleek, grounded show, the soapy plotting and teen melodrama will grate.

What it asks of you: Sixty-minute episodes, four seasons and a large, shifting cast, held together by a light touch that rarely lingers on dread.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Vampire Diaries2009

The direct ancestor that established this universe's rules, tone, and emotional stakes. If you loved Legacies, you'll see where Hope and Alaric came from and understand the weight they carry. Essential mythology.

But Darker and more relentlessly dramatic than Legacies—eight seasons of genuine trauma means it's exhausting in ways the spinoff isn't. The early seasons also lean hard on love triangles that haven't aged well.

The Originals2013

Smarter and more elegant than The Vampire Diaries, with Klaus as a charismatic anchor. You'll understand Hope's heritage and what it means to be a Mikaelson. Tighter storytelling across five seasons.

But More gothic and serious than Legacies; less ensemble warmth. If you want the fun supernatural hijinks of the school, this is heavier family tragedy instead.

Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments2016

Similar energy: young people with supernatural lineages training at an institute, learning to control powers while falling in love. Strong cast chemistry and a willingness to have fun with its mythology alongside genuine danger.

But Based on a YA series with devoted fans; if you're not already invested in that world, the mythology can feel cluttered. It was cancelled mid-story, which stings if you get attached.

Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments poster

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Legacies

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Penny Dreadful2014

Both shows root their supernatural worldbuilding in character and emotion rather than exposition. But where Legacies is warm and hopeful, Penny Dreadful is mournful and grand—same philosophical DNA, opposite emotional register.

A gorgeously gothic horror series that reimagines classic literary monsters as complex characters seeking redemption and connection. Brilliant acting, literary ambition, and genuine scares. October-weather television at its finest.

But Intentionally slow-burn and atmospheric—nothing like Legacies' momentum. Violence and suffering are taken seriously and depicted unflinchingly. If you want propulsive plot, you'll find it tedious.

Supernatural2005

The gold standard for long-form supernatural TV: two brothers hunting monsters with genuine wit, heart, and creative problem-solving. Fifteen seasons means vast mythology to explore. Genre-defining work.

But Wildly uneven in quality; later seasons can't match the early run. At 15 seasons it's a commitment, and the ending divides fans sharply. Tone shifts dramatically across its lifespan.

Teen Wolf2011

A high school supernatural drama about werewolves learning to control their nature while juggling romance and friendship. Excellent character arcs, genuine scares, and a found-family core that resonates deeply.

But The mythology gets convoluted; later seasons introduce too many supernatural factions. If you want clarity in your world-building, this gets messy.

The Magicians2015

Magic school where gifted students discover they're unprepared for actual danger. Darker and more sophisticated than Legacies, blending literary fantasy with visceral stakes. Thrilling and beautifully shot.

But Genuinely brutal: characters you love die badly. The tonal whiplash between comedy and horror can feel jarring. If you want the comfort of Legacies, this punches much harder.

Ravenswood2013

A teen supernatural mystery where a group of friends discover they're haunted by a shared curse. Atmospheric, stylish, and focused on ensemble chemistry rather than romantic drama.

But Only lasted two seasons—cancelled before the mythology fully resolved. Deliberately slow-burn plotting means patience required. Less action-driven than Legacies.

Nancy Drew2019

Supernatural mystery with a diverse young cast, strong character development, and a gothic small-town atmosphere. Balanced horror with humor and genuine friendship. Consistently clever writing.

But The mystery-per-episode structure can feel repetitive. If you're after sprawling mythology like Legacies, the episodic format constrains the storytelling.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina2018

Dark fantasy about a young woman caught between the mortal and supernatural worlds. Genuinely unsettling moments, strong visual style, and a protagonist who grows across seasons. Much more serious than its predecessor.

But Becomes grimmer and more nihilistic as it progresses; the tonal shift may alienate you. Some plot threads feel dropped or unresolved by the ending.

Heartstopper2022

Both center on young people at formative moments, building identity within found families rather than bloodlines. Heartstopper proves you can do genuine teen drama with warmth and hope—it's what Legacies reaches for when it's at its best.

A coming-of-age romance that treats teenage joy with the same weight other shows give to tragedy. Sincere without being saccharine, diverse without being didactic. About young people discovering who they are and finding community.

But No supernatural elements whatsoever; if you specifically want that mythology, this has none. The gentleness and optimism might feel slight compared to Legacies' darker moments. Very much a Gen-Z show in its sensibility.