Following the headline-grabbing cancellation of the Prime Video fantasy series,The Wheel of Timeseason 4 gets a clarifying and definitive update. An adaptation of the novels by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, with Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike in a central role, and Rafe Judkins as showrunner, the sprawling drama got off to a strong start when it debuted in 2021. But facing ratings that were less than expected and a hefty price tag, thefate ofThe Wheel of Timewas sealedwhen the show’s cancellation was announced in late May.
TVLinereports that, according to well-placed sources, there areno plans to shopThe Wheel of Timearound to other potential platforms. There was some hope that the fantasy saga could end up being rescued by another streaming service, paving the way for a fourth installment. But, per the latest update, that will not be happening.
What This Means For The Wheel Of Time
It Sounds Like The End Of The Road
The option of shopping a cancelled series is relatively common. It is happening for much smaller titles, like the sitcomNight Courtand the crime dramaFound, both of which were recently axed by NBC. But it is far less common for cancelled comedies and dramas to find a second life on a different platform. The general thinking, on the whole, is that competitors wouldn’t want a series that has already shown demonstrated difficulty in finding an audience.
That may not have been true in the case ofThe Wheel of Time. Although viewership forthe third installment represented a decline in the show’s U.S. audience, the fantasy saga is still a strong performer globally, and its most recent episodes ranked #1 in several countries. That performance was not enough to secure a follow-up toThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, given the show’s cost. Co-producers Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios won’t attempt to revive the adaptation elsewhere, perhaps believing it still has value as a Prime Video exclusive.
Our Take On The Wheel of Time’s Cancellation
It Was Always A Possibility
Across the entertainment industry, controversial decisions are being made all the time for the sake of cost-cutting. Different sides of the creative partnership have competing views on this approach and what it means. What is much harder to dispute is that expensive productions, such as fantasy epics, have a higher bar to clear. That, in itself, can be a tough challenge. It ultimately spelled the end of the line for theWheel of Timecast.
