Fantasy TV shows typically have a few characters who stand out as the most powerful members of the cast, if not one of the most powerful characters in fiction in general. These characters are unstoppable forces who drive the plot through magical ability as well as charisma. The best-written powerhouses will have character arcs where their power is used to emphasize the story and its key themes, which may focus on how unlimited power will change a person.
In several cases, the true extent of a character’s power is never (or has yet to be) revealed. This characterization has a dual effect because it leaves the audience and other characters wondering if they are hiding more power, or if they are already at their limit. However, when they are never defeated in battle and do things that other characters think are impossible, they are inevitably deemed to be one of the most powerful fictional characters.
10 Moiraine Damodred
The Wheel Of Time (2021-Present)
The Wheel of Time
Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan’s expansive fantasy series is brought to life in The Wheel of Time, a fantasy tv series created for Amazon Prime Video. The series follows a woman named Moiraine, a member of the all-female Aes Sedai group who can utilize a great power. Following an attack on a local village, Moiraine heads there to find a villager that may be the reincarnation of an all-powerful dragon that will either save or destroy the world.
- Cast
- Barney Harris , Zoe Robins , Madeleine Madden , Marcus Rutherford , Daniel Henney , Rosamund Pike , Josha Stradowski , Kate Fleetwood , Priyanka Bose , Hammed Animashaun
- Release Date
- November 19, 2021
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
Moiraine is one of the most skilled users of the One Power, and therefore one of the most powerful characters in The Wheel of Time. She loses this ability in Wheel of Time season 1’s ending but regains it in season 2. Members of her party or her enemy might be able to outmatch her with sheer force, but she demonstrates some more specialized weaves, especially in the Wheel of Time books. She proves herself to be a powerful manipulator of the elements during battles, and can also heal people.
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9 Alastor
Hazbin Hotel (2024-Present)
Hazbin Hotel
Hazbin Hotel is an adult animation series created and directed by Vivienne Medrano. Hazbin Hotel centers on Lucifer’s daughter, who opens a hotel for misfit demons she thinks can be redeemed in order to reduce Hell’s overpopulation. The first season of Hazbin Hotel premiered on Prime Video on January 19, 2024.
- Cast
- Erika Henningsen , Stephanie Beatriz , Blake Roman , Amir Talai , Keith David , Alex Brightman , Kimiko Glenn , Joel Perez , Christian Borle , Jeremy Jordan
- Release Date
- January 19, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
The true nature of Alastor’s power is a question for Hazbin Hotel season 2. In season 1, he easily defeats everyone in Hell and is an equal opponent to Adam, one of the most powerful angels in Heaven. Alastor can also summon shadow creatures to do his bidding. However, Alastor’s brilliant scheming is what makes whatever supernatural resources he has effective: He seems to think that he cannot defeat Lucifer or one of his family in an outright battle, so he befriends Charlie and manipulates her relationships with her parents. This way, Alastor’s magical abilities will have the most impact.
8 Merlin
Merlin (2008-2012)
Merlin
In this reimagining of Arthurian legend, young Merlin saves the life of young Prince Arthur, and realizes that the reason for his magical gift is to protect the future king. However, because magic is illegal, Merlin must hide his gift, even as he and Arthur become friends over their adventure.
- Cast
- Colin Morgan , Bradley James , Katie McGrath , Anthony Head , Richard Wilson , John Hurt , Nathaniel Parker
- Release Date
- September 20, 2008
- Seasons
- 5
- Streaming Service(s)
- Peacock , Apple TV+ , Prime Video
Merlin focuses on the famous Arthurian wizard learning to harness his natural power in secret, since magic is outlawed in the kingdom of Camelot. While he begins the show as a clumsy and awkward apprentice, his power grows quickly. He has many magical abilities that are common in the fantasy genre, including telepathy, elemental control, influence over other beings, apparently immortality, and more. Merlin is prophesized to become the greatest sorcerer the world has ever seen, and he doubtlessly accomplishes this.
7 The Darkling
Shadow And Bone (2021-2023)
Shadow and Bone
Based on Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling Grishaverse novels, Netflix’s Shadow and Bone follows the story of Alina Starkov, an orphan and soldier who has released a power that could potentially set her country free. Instead, Alina joins an elite army of soldiers known as the Grisha as the Shadow Fold, an area of mysterious darkness that grows each year, threatening to envelop her world. Alina quickly learns that nothing is as it seems, and it will take more than the power of magic to make it through.
- Cast
- Daisy Head , Kit Young , Julian Kostov , Ben Barnes , Jessie Mei Li , Simon Sears , Gabrielle Brooks , Amita Suman , Kevin Eldon , Danielle Galligan , Jasmine Blackborrow , Freddy Carter , zoe wanamaker , Sujaya Dasgupta , Luke Pasqualino , Archie Renaux , Calahan Skogman
- Release Date
- April 23, 2021
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
In Shadow and Bone, General Kirigan a.k.a. the Darkling, is a Grisha with the unique ability to manipulate darkness. With his power, Kirigan can manipulate shadows, kill people using the Cut, make himself immortal, and most importantly create the Fold and the shadow monsters. However, in the case of creating the nichevo’ya, Kirigan is creating something out of nothing. This kind of magic is called merzost and comes with a cost. Near the end of the series, Kirigan is weakened due to the number of monsters he has made.
6 Melisandre
Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Game Of Thrones
Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones is a TV series based on the book “A Song of Ice of Fire” by George R. R. Martin. It tells the story of the ongoing battle between the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros – as they fight for control of the coveted Iron Throne. Friction between the houses leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the far north. Amidst the war, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night’s Watch, led by House Stark’s Jon Snow, is the first to encounter icy horrors that threaten all realms of men. The series premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17, 2011, and quickly became one of the biggest event series in the “Golden Age” of TV. Winner of 38 Primetime Emmy Awards, Game of Thrones has attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, international fan base.
- Cast
- Emilia Clarke , Lena Headey , Richard Madden , Michelle Fairley , Kit Harington , Maisie Williams , Alfie Allen , Peter Dinklage
- Release Date
- April 11, 2011
- Seasons
- 8
- Streaming Service(s)
- HBO Max
Melisandre’s power is a bit unreliable and dependent on the will of the Lord of Light. However, she is formidable, being able to resurrect the dead and create a fire barrier to protect Winterfell. Her magic is vague, which contributes to her allure: Because it is based on faith and is not an exact science, no one knows the extent of it. For all the Game of Thrones cast knows, Melisandre can accomplish even more impressive feats than she ever did during her time on the show.
5 Aang
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender is an Animated Fantasy and Adventure series that appeared on Nickelodeon and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The series featured voices from Zach Tyler Eisen, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, and Mae Whitman. The premise follows a young boy named Aang, an Air Bender who is set to be the next Avatar, master of all elements, in a bit to unite the nations together and bring peace.
- Cast
- Mako , Dee Bradley Baker , Jack De Sena , Michaela Jill Murphy , Zach Tyler , Dante Basco , Mae Whitman
- Release Date
- February 21, 2005
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
When Aang is in the Avatar State, he is a nearly unstoppable force. The only caveat is that he can be killed without being reborn in this state, and is almost by Azula. However, Aang’s power grows throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender as he masters all four elements and gains more control over the Avatar State. The true testament to his power is that he finds a way to defeat Ozai without killing him, which no one thinks is possible. Therefore, Aang becomes the most powerful character on the show while also remaining true to himself.
4 Willow Rosenberg
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural comedy-drama series released in 1992. The show follows the exploits of Buffy, a woman born into a line of “Slayers” destined to do battle with vampires, demons, and monsters. Aided by her close group of friends and a Watcher who helps her hone her craft, the crew solves mysterious and battles the forces of evil to protect their town – and the world.
- Cast
- Sarah Michelle Gellar , Nicholas Brendon , Alyson Hannigan , Charisma Carpenter , Dan Rubin , David Boreanaz , Seth Green , James Marsters
- Release Date
- March 10, 1997
- Seasons
- 7
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu , Disney+
Willow’s desire for more power leads to the storyline of Dark Willow. Willow starts learning magic early in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and performs many powerful spells throughout the show. However, as she becomes more powerful, magic begins to have a more concerning effect on her. Tara becomes worried that Willow is too dependent on magic, and is proven to be right when Willow uses magic to violently avenge Tara’s death. Yet Willow is still one of the most powerful characters on the show who accomplishes astounding feats of magic.
3 Yennefer
The Witcher (2019-Present)
The Witcher
Based on the novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and the video games, The Witcher follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter who struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. “Ciri” Cirilla is the Princess of Cintra, who has magical abilities and whose fate has been linked to Geralt’s. Yennefer of Vengerberg, a sorceress who trains to become a mage before deserting her duties and going solo, is also a main character in the Netflix series. The show’s storylines are intertwined but told throughout different timelines, all of which eventually catch up to Ciri’s, whose timeline of events is the most recent. Set on the Continent where men, monsters, and elves exist together, the characters all have separate journeys, though their destinies bring them into each others’ orbits.
- Cast
- Tom Canton , Maciej Musial , Björn Hlynur Haraldsson , Anna Shaffer , MyAnna Buring , Lars Mikkelsen , Royce Pierreson , Eamon Farren , Wilson Radjou-Pujalte , Joey Batey , Jodhi May , Therica Wilson-Read , Anya Chalotra , Mimi Ndiweni , Henry Cavill , Freya Allan , Adam Levy , Amit Shah , Liam Hemsworth , Laurence Fishburne
- Release Date
- December 20, 2019
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
The Witcher season 1 depicts Yennefer’s education, setting her on the path to becoming an unbeatable sorceress. Yennefer is undoubtedly one of the most powerful characters in The Witcher, taking on an entire army at the Battle of Sodden Hill. Ciri may surpass Yennefer in the future, but Ciri gives up her powers in The Witcher season 3 finale and does not have as much control over her magic as Yennefer. As it stands, they are both among the most powerful Sources, who can channel Chaos and have devastating effects.
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2 Wanda Maximoff
WandaVision (2021)
WandaVision
WandaVision, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first TV show on Disney+, first aired in 2021. The series kicked off the MCU’s Phase 4 and brought back Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, and Paul Bettany as Vision. WandaVision strayed away from Marvel’s typical formula, this time formatting itself more like a classic sitcom as Wanda struggles to cope with the death of Vision.
- Release Date
- January 15, 2021
- Cast
- Paul Bettany , Elizabeth Olsen , Kathryn Hahn , Teyonah Parris , Randall Park , Kat Dennings , Debra Jo Rupp , Evan Peters
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+
Wanda is considered one of the strongest characters in the MCU, with seemingly limitless telekinetic abilities. However, what she does in WandaVision is unprecedented. She alters the memories of an entire town, bringing the people under her control, and creates a constantly shifting alternate reality.
Then, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she takes on an entire army of magic users. Wanda obviously does not use her power in the most ethical ways, but she is a fascinating character. Her indomitability is revealed to be because she had some inherent power of her own before it was activated by Hydra’s experiments with one of the Infinity Stones.
1 Bonnie Bennett
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
The Vampire Diaries
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another’s affection.
- Cast
- Nina Dobrev , Ian Somerhalder , Steven R. McQueen , Paul Wesley , Kat Graham , Michael Trevino , Michael Malarkey , Zach Roerig , Candice King , Matthew Davis
- Seasons
- 8
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
With every new season of The Vampire Diaries, Bonnie learns to use magic in a new way. She holds off Original vampires, revives Jeremy twice, and clings to the world of living for seasons after her death. It might be luck that she never truly dies, or it is Bonnie herself, and her connections to people like her grandmother and Jeremy.
In the final season of The Vampire Diaries, Bonnie creates an otherworld for Enzo to inhabit, holds back hellfire (with help from her ancestors), and breaks Elena’s sleeping curse. However, there is more to her story than just getting better at using magic. Bonnie is one of the most powerful characters in fantasy TV, but this facet of her character is also used to serve her emotional storylines.
