Though Amazon's cancellation of The Wheel of Time after Season 3 seemed to seal its fate, showrunner Rafe Judkins draws inspiration from The Expanse's revival as a glimmer of hope.
A Painful Goodbye
The adaptation of Robert Jordan's beloved fantasy saga, starring Rosamund Pike, struggled initially with book fans over creative departures. But Season 3's stronger execution had finally won over critics and viewers alike, making Amazon's cancellation decision particularly crushing.
"Prime Video's choice not to renew The Wheel of Time for Season 4," as Deadline reported, came after extensive internal debates — a business decision despite the show's creative merits.
Brandon Sanderson, who completed Jordan's epic series, shared his bittersweet reaction: "It's truly unfortunate — while I had reservations about some creative choices, the show deserved to continue after its strongest season. Being kept at arm's length despite lending my name was frustrating."
The Numbers Tell Their Own Story
Judkins broke his silence in an emotional social media post, noting the series appeared in Nielsen's Top 10 charts for nearly 20 weeks — "a rare achievement in today's streaming landscape."
The showrunner lamented television's shift toward shorter seasons emphasizing quick subscriber gains over long-form storytelling: "This undermines TV's greatest strength — letting characters grow across years."
A Fading Hope?
While 130,000+ fans signed petitions begging platforms to #SaveTheWheelOfTime, Judkins acknowledges the unlikely odds. Speculation about Apple TV+ potentially rescuing the show seems overly optimistic given their existing fantasy lineup.
Yet he finds solace in The Expanse's revival: "Amazon themselves proved second chances exist when they saved that sci-fi series."
"Maybe our story isn't over," Judkins reflects. "Like the books that inspired us, perhaps we'll defy conventional endings too." However, TVLine's sources indicate no current discussions with other platforms.
The Showrunner's Full Statement
"Why was The Wheel of Time canceled? Honestly, I wish I knew...
Our brilliant cast and crew created something truly special — beloved by fans and critics alike, with viewership numbers most shows dream of (20 weeks in Nielsen's Top 10!).
We always aimed to complete Jordan's magnificent saga. Television — like epic fantasy — shines brightest when given time to unfold. Though the current industry prioritizes quick wins, I believe we'll rediscover the magic of long-form storytelling.
Could another network pick up our story? History shows it's possible — Amazon itself proved that by saving The Expanse...
If these characters have taught us anything, it's that endings aren't always what they seem."
