Prime Video has elected not to renew The Wheel of Time for fourth season, Deadline reported Friday morning. Despite being creatively lauded by fans of the high fantasy genre — including some members of Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios, who co-produce the series — the streaming giant indicated that further production of the show had become financially untenable. The decision comes after the series’ future spent a month in limbo following its season three finale on April 17th.
The series, which adapts the similarly-named books from authors Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan, first premiered in 2021 on Prime Video. Although season one would become one of the platform’s biggest series launches of all time, many believe season three was where the fantasy drama truly found its footing, boasting the highest score of all three seasons for both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) led an ensemble of magicians as Moiraine Damodred, who travels the world in search of the Dragon Reborn, a mythical figure who will ultimately either save or destroy the world. Rafe Judkins (Chuck, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) served as showrunner.
Although season three of The Wheel of Time was Prime Video’s biggest premiere of the year in several countries, per Deadline, gradually declining viewership between seasons (recorded via Nielsen ratings) were cited as a reason for the series’ cancellation. Further complicating matters were the high production costs intrinsic to faithful recreations of fantasy worlds, something parent company Amazon is no doubt aware of due to their involvement in The Lord of the Rings spinoff series The Rings of Power.
Fortunately, Wheel of Time fans might soon have another way to enjoy the series in an entirely different medium. Variety reported in April that an open-world AAA video game based on the story is currently in production at Iwot Studios. But for now, those seeking closure for their unanswered questions might want to get reading.