The Shannara Chronicles poster

The Shannara Chronicles

TV Show 2016 7.0 /10
Created by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Terry Brooks

Wil Ohmsford is a young healer whose unpredictable magic makes him stand out in the rugged world of the Four Lands. When he crosses paths with Eretria, a runaway Elf with a complicated past, the pair are pulled into a desperate effort to halt an ancient demonic scourge that threatens to return.... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About The Shannara Chronicles

Wil Ohmsford is a young healer whose unpredictable magic makes him stand out in the rugged world of the Four Lands. When he crosses paths with Eretria, a runaway Elf with a complicated past, the pair are pulled into a desperate effort to halt an ancient demonic scourge that threatens to return. Guided by the cryptic druid Allanon, they form uneasy alliances with princes, rebels, and other survivors as political tensions and old secrets surface. The series follows their battles, betrayals, and growing bonds, balancing action with character moments while keeping major twists and outcomes out of sight.

Premiering in 2016 on MTV, the series was developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and adapted from Terry Brooks' Shannara novels, with Austin Butler, Ivana Baquero and Manu Bennett among the lead cast.

Audience reaction was mixed, reflected in a user vote average of 6.955/10. Viewers often praised the show's production values, creature design and lead performances, while critics pointed to uneven pacing and changes from the source material. The narrative repeatedly returns to themes of destiny, responsibility, friendship, and how inherited power affects identity across generations.

Though it only ran for a short time, the show helped introduce Brooks' fantasy world to a younger TV audience and sparked active online fandom. It generated fan art, cosplay, episode discussions and convention panels, and streaming and social channels have kept debate alive about what the series could have done with more seasons.

It didn't rack up major industry awards, yet it found recognition in genre circles and among dedicated viewers, who often highlighted its visual effects and costume work. The series left a visible imprint on fantasy TV fans, who continue to talk about casting choices, adaptation decisions and the unfinished threads that lingered after its run.

Details

Release Date
January 05, 2016
User Ratings
1,006 votes
Type
TV Series
Seasons
2
Episodes
20
Genres
Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Official Trailer

Cast

Austin Butler

Austin Butler

Wil Ohmsford

Ivana Baquero

Ivana Baquero

Eretria

Manu Bennett

Manu Bennett

Allanon

Aaron Jakubenko

Aaron Jakubenko

Ander Elessedil

Marcus Vanco

Marcus Vanco

Bandon

Melise

Melise

Mareth

Vanessa Morgan

Vanessa Morgan

Lyria

Gentry White

Gentry White

Garet Jax

Created by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Terry Brooks

Seasons (2 seasons, 20 episodes)

Season 1

Season 1

10 episodes - 2016

Season 2

Season 2

10 episodes - 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

The Shannara Chronicles is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

The Shannara Chronicles has 2 seasons with a total of 20 episodes.

With a rating of 7.0/10 from 1,006 viewers, The Shannara Chronicles is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Wil Ohmsford is a young healer whose unpredictable magic makes him stand out in the rugged world of the Four Lands. When he crosses paths with Eretria, a runaway Elf with a complicated past, the pair are pulled into a desperate effort to halt an ancient demonic scourge that threatens to return. G...

The Shannara Chronicles stars Austin Butler, Ivana Baquero, Manu Bennett, Aaron Jakubenko, and Marcus Vanco.

The Shannara Chronicles was created by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Terry Brooks.

The Shannara Chronicles was released on January 05, 2016.

The Shannara Chronicles is a Action & Adventure and Sci-Fi & Fantasy series.

The show is based on Terry Brooks' Shannara books, primarily The Elfstones of Shannara, but it's a loose adaptation. It keeps key characters and central conflicts while changing timelines, ages, and many plot details, and it adds original storylines for television.

The series ended after two seasons and no third season has been produced. While fans and creators have expressed interest in continuing the story, there has been no official revival or continuation announced.

The show was filmed in New Zealand, with many outdoor locations and landscapes used to represent the Four Lands. The country's scenery helped give the series its expansive fantasy look.

Episodes are roughly 42 to 45 minutes long, which is typical for hour-long scripted TV dramas. That runtime applies to most episodes across both seasons.