- TV Shows. Who won The Voice? Meet Adam David, winner of season 27, and the prize money he will receive
- TV Shows. Without Meghan Markle's appeal or the impact of the original series, NBC cancels Suits: LA before the end of its first season
The Wheel of Time, Prime Video's ambitious fantasy TV series, has been canceled after three seasons, leaving fans of Robert Jordan's epic novels disheartened. The decision, announced on May 23, comes over a month after the Season 3 finale aired on April 17.
Despite critical acclaim and a ionate fanbase, the show-starring Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred-couldn't secure a fourth season, a move that reflects the harsh realities of the streaming industry's financial landscape rather than any creative shortcomings.
The series, co-produced by Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios, launched in 2021 as Prime Video's most-watched premiere of the year, ranking among the platform's top five launches ever. Adapted from Jordan's sprawling books, it followed Moiraine and her quest with the Dragon Reborn, Rand al'Thor (Josha Stradowski), to save or doom the world.
Season 3, based on The Shadow Rising, earned a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, a jump from 81% in Season 1, and topped charts in multiple countries. Yet, its global viewership slipped, failing to crack Nielsen's U.S. Top 10 Originals after three weeks, unlike its earlier seasons. Sources indicate the show's high production costs couldn't be justified by its performance, despite Amazon's efforts to explore budget adjustments with Sony TV.
Wheel of Time fans cry: Season 4 canceled after epic Season 3
Fans on X expressed shock and frustration, noting Season 3's quality and calling for another network to pick up the series. Showrunner Rafe Judkins, who once chose Amazon for its long-term investment in shows, had crafted the Season 3 finale with some closure, anticipating this risk. Still, the cancellation stings, especially as Prime Video continues to back the show's Emmy campaign. The decision mirrors a broader trend-other 2025 cancellations like Suits LA and The Bondsman suggest Amazon is tightening its belt, even for well-received projects.
The Wheel of Time's end raises questions about the fantasy genre's viability on streaming platforms. Post-Game of Thrones, networks chased similar success with shows like The Witcher and The Rings of Power, but none have matched that cultural impact. High costs and shifting viewer habits make these series vulnerable, even when they improve creatively. For now, all three seasons remain on Prime Video, a bittersweet legacy for a show that dared to adapt one of fantasy's most beloved sagas but fell victim to the industry's economic currents.