The Magicians (American TV series)
Students at a magic school find danger in a real fantasy world.
The Magicians is a Syfy fantasy series adapted from Lev Grossman’s book trilogy. Its executive producers are Michael London, Janice Williams, John McNamara, and Sera Gamble. Syfy ordered 13 episodes for the first season in May 2015, and the show aired a special preview on December 16, 2015. In January 2019, the network renewed it for a fifth season, which ran from January 15 to April 1, 2020, after announcing the series would be canceled. The story follows students at a hidden magic school who learn that the magical realm is far more perilous than they expected.
**Premise** Quentin Coldwater enters Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy to train as a magician. He finds that the magical world from his favorite childhood book series is real and threatens humanity. Meanwhile, his childhood friend Julia is rejected from Brakebills and searches for magic outside the school, which derails her life.
**Cast and Characters**
**Main** - **Jason Ralph** as Quentin Coldwater (seasons 1–4): A graduate student who enrolls at Brakebills. A lifelong fan of the *Fillory and Further* books, he learns those stories are based on real dangers to his world. - **Stella Maeve** as Julia Wicker: Quentin’s childhood friend and an Ivy League student. Denied admission to Brakebills, she is recruited by hedge witches—self-taught magicians who piece together spells. Maeve also plays the sister of the Monster at the End of the World, who inhabits Julia’s body in season 4. - **Olivia Taylor Dudley** as Alice Quinn: A naturally gifted magician from a neglected home, whose parents are also magicians. - **Hale Appleman** as Eliot Waugh: A Brakebills student senior to Quentin and a close friend. He drinks heavily and is inseparable from Margo. Appleman also portrays the Monster at the End of the World, which inhabits Eliot’s body in season 4. - **Arjun Gupta** as William “Penny” Adiyodi: Quentin’s roommate and peer. A talented telepath and “traveler” who can move between worlds, Penny is brusque but loyal to his friends. - **Summer Bishil** as Margo Hanson: The equivalent of Janet from the novels (renamed to avoid confusion with other “J” names). She is charismatic and close friends with Eliot. - **Rick Worthy** as Henry Fogg (seasons 2–5; recurring season 1): The dean of Brakebills.
- Network
- Syfy
- Based on
- Trilogy of novels by Lev Grossman
- First season order
- 13 episodes in May 2015
- Premiere date
- December 16, 2015 (special preview)
- Final season
- Season 5 (January 15 to April 1, 2020)
- Executive producers
- Michael London, Janice Williams, John McNamara, Sera Gamble
Lore & Background
The series centers on Quentin Coldwater, a graduate student who enrolls at Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy to be trained as a magician. A lifelong fan of the Fillory and Further series, he discovers that the books are based on truths that pose a danger to his world. His childhood friend Julia Wicker is denied entry to Brakebills and searches for magic elsewhere, joining hedge witches—self-taught magicians who piece together spells. Other main characters include Alice Quinn, a naturally gifted magician from a neglected home; Eliot Waugh, a heavy-drinking student close to Quentin; and Penny Adiyodi, a telepathic traveler between worlds. The series also features Margo Hanson, Dean Henry Fogg, Kady Orloff-Diaz, Fen, and Josh Hoberman among the main cast. Recurring characters include the Beast (Martin Chatwin), hedge mages Marina Andrieski and Pete, and the gods Ember and Umber.
Reader's Guide
The Magicians ran for five seasons on Syfy, with the first season ordered in May 2015 and premiering as a special preview on December 16, 2015. The series was renewed for a fifth season in January 2019, which aired from January 15 to April 1, 2020, following the announcement of the series' cancellation. The show adapted Lev Grossman's trilogy, updating character names (e.g., Janet became Margo Hanson to avoid confusion with other 'J' names). Its significance lies in blending dark fantasy with coming-of-age themes, exploring the dangers of a magical world that mirrors the characters' favorite childhood books. The series developed a dedicated fanbase and was noted for its complex characters and serialized storytelling, though it ultimately concluded after five seasons.
Did You Know?
- The series is based on the trilogy of novels by Lev Grossman.
- The first season consisted of 13 episodes ordered in May 2015.
- The character Margo Hanson is equivalent to Janet from the novels; her name was changed to avoid confusion with other names beginning with 'J'.
- The series was cancelled after its fifth season, which aired from January 15 to April 1, 2020.
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