The Wheel of Time Showrunner Reflects on Cancellation, Eyes Revival Like The Expanse

Although Amazon canceled The Wheel of Time after Season 3, its showrunner remains optimistic about a potential revival, drawing inspiration from The Expanse's comeback.

The Wheel of Time, adapted from Robert Jordan’s beloved fantasy novels and starring Rosamund Pike, faced criticism for straying from the books in its first two seasons. However, Season 3 won over fans, raising hopes for the series' future.

Last month, Prime Video confirmed it would not renew The Wheel of Time for a fourth season after prolonged discussions, according to Deadline. Despite executive support, financial challenges led to the decision.

Brandon Sanderson, who completed Jordan’s book series, shared his disappointment, stating: “It’s unfortunate, as the show had a dedicated fanbase that deserved more after its strongest season. My involvement was limited; they used my name for credibility but didn’t engage me meaningfully.”

In his first comments since the cancellation, showrunner Rafe Judkins addressed fans on social media. He admitted lacking a clear explanation for the decision but emphasized the show’s global popularity, noting its presence in the Nielsen Top 10 for nearly 20 weeks—a rare achievement in recent years.

Judkins expressed regret over not completing the adaptation, saying the team aimed to tell the full story from Jordan’s books. “Not finishing feels like a crushing blow,” he added.

He criticized the industry’s shift toward shorter seasons and fewer episodes to boost streaming subscriptions, arguing it undermines television’s strength in long-form storytelling.

Over 130,000 fans have signed an online petition to “Save The Wheel of Time,” urging, “Let the story be told in full!” Yet hopes for Apple TV+ picking up the series seem slim given its existing lineup of high-budget fantasy and sci-fi shows.

Still, Judkins remains hopeful, citing The Expanse, which Amazon revived after SYFY’s cancellation.

“Who knows?” Judkins said. “The Wheel of Time books have always challenged conventional ideas of beginnings and endings. I hope the show can do the same, as the series and its fans deserve a complete story.”

A recent TVLine report, citing reliable sources, indicates the show isn’t currently being pitched to other platforms, dimming prospects for a fourth season.

Here is Rafe Judkins' full statement:

I’ve been asked repeatedly why The Wheel of Time was canceled, and honestly, I don’t have a simple answer. I wish I could provide clarity for fans who cherish the series, but I can’t.

What I can say is that our cast and crew were exceptionally talented and a joy to work with. We were fortunate to create something loved by fans and critics alike, watched by millions worldwide, and ranked in the Nielsen Top 10 for nearly 20 weeks—a milestone few shows achieve today.

From the start, my goal was to adapt the entire story. The Wheel of Time books, like great television, grow richer over time. Our team and cast saw the potential to complete this epic tale, making countless sacrifices to reach that goal. Falling short feels heartbreaking.

Much has been said about the industry’s trend toward shorter seasons and fewer episodes to chase streaming growth. I believe this contradicts television’s core strength—sustained, immersive storytelling. Like epic fantasy, TV thrives by letting viewers connect with beloved characters year after year. I’m confident there are executives, studios, and networks who value this and will guide the industry back to its roots.

Will another platform pick up The Wheel of Time to finish the story? It’s rare, but it happens. We chose Amazon partly because they revived The Expanse after SYFY dropped it.

So, who knows? The Wheel of Time books have always defied conventional boundaries of beginnings and endings. I hope the show can too, because this story and its fans deserve to see it through.