The Wheel of Time series has come to a halt on Prime Video after Amazon decided not to renew the show for a fourth season, following the conclusion of Season 3. According to Deadline, the decision came after extensive discussions. Despite the appreciation from executives, the financial aspects couldn't be aligned to justify further investment.
Based on the beloved fantasy book series by Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time features a stellar cast led by Rosamund Pike. The initial seasons stirred controversy among fans due to significant deviations from the source material. However, Season 3 managed to win back the majority of the fanbase, setting the stage for what many hoped would be an even more promising future.
The cancellation has left fans particularly disheartened, especially since much of The Wheel of Time's expansive story remained untold. The series was just beginning to hit its stride, making the news all the more disappointing.
The high production costs, shared between co-producers Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios, were ultimately the deciding factor. Amazon MGM Studios, also behind the costly The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, found the financial returns from Season 3 insufficient to justify another season. As Deadline reported:
... the Season 3 overall performance was not strong enough compared to the show’s cost for Prime Video to commit to another season and the streamer could not make it work after examining different scenarios and following discussions with lead studio Sony TV, sources said.
IGN's review of The Wheel of Time Season 3 awarded it an 8/10, stating, "The Wheel of Time finally achieves its full potential in season 3, which is filled with rich characters finding their place in Robert Jordan’s complex fantasy world."
While the TV adaptation of The Wheel of Time has concluded, fans can look forward to a 'AAA Open-World RPG' in development. IGN interviewed iwot Studios, the rights holder for The Wheel of Time, to learn more about this exciting new project.
