Though Amazon Prime Video's The Wheel of Time faces cancellation after Season 3, showrunner Rafe Judkins draws hope from The Expanse's revival history. The fantasy series, adapted from Robert Jordan's beloved novels starring Rosamund Pike, struggled initially with book fans over creative liberties but won them over in its third season—just as Prime Video reportedly concluded "lengthy negotiations" before axing the show.
Trouble at Amazon Studios
Insiders claim executives admired the production but couldn’t justify its budget amid shifting streaming priorities. Brandon Sanderson, who completed Jordan's book series, criticized how his advisory role was marginalized: "I won't miss being ignored—they wanted my name for legitimacy without meaningful input."
Judkins broke his silence via social media, acknowledging the lack of closure frustrates fans and creators alike. Despite Nielsen Top 10 appearances for nearly 20 weeks—a rare achievement—he lamented industry trends prioritizing subscriber grabs over serialized storytelling. "This trend sabotages TV's true strength," he argued.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Over 130,000 fans petitioned for renewal, urging platforms to "finish the story it deserves." While Apple TV+ seems improbable given its existing high-budget slate, Judkins noted Amazon itself resurrected The Expanse after SYFY's cancellation. "Maybe our show will mirror the books’ defiance of endings," he mused.
Sources tell TVLine no rescue talks are underway—dashing hopes raised by Sanderson’s critique and Judkins’ plea:
"Much has been written about streaming’s shorter seasons and quick churn... but epic fantasy, like great TV, needs years to unfold. Some executives still believe that. Perhaps we’ll find them."
The full statement underscores Judkins’ commitment to Jordan’s saga—and hints this battle isn’t over.
