In the new year, MTV will begin screening The Shannara Chronicles, an epic TV adventure series based on the books by Terry Brooks.

Cinematic in scope, and combining high fantasy with post-apocalyptic sci-fi elements, MTV will be hoping to establish an enduring franchise. Genre fans will also be eagerly awaiting news of the TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, a dark tale of mythological conflict taking place in the shadows around small-town America, rumoured to be arriving on screens later in 2016.

There is no mistaking the influence of Game of Thrones in the development in these series; the phenomenally successful adaptation of George R R Martin’s novels has demonstrated the potential of long-form TV storytelling in the fantasy genre. Advances in CGI – and the willingness of studios to invest – mean that TV series can now enjoy visual effects previously seen only in cinemas, and source novels can be spread over 20 hours of TV rather than condensed into a 2-hour film treatment.

As we’ve discussed previously on this blog, high-profile TV and film productions will have an impact on genre trends and visual culture, and thus on design. The Shannara Chronicles and the visual brand it creates will definitely be one to watch in that respect. For now, here are some images from Arcangel photographers that present a grittier, moodier take on sci-fi and fantasy concepts…

Please click here to see the selection of images

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