Wheel of Time Creator Reacts to Cancellation: ‘A Devastating Blow’

by

Rafe Judkins, the mastermind behind The Wheel of Time, has at last spoken up about Amazon’s decision to end the show, and it’s clear that he is far from pleased with this turn of events.

Following a span of three consecutive seasons, the Wheel of Time television show was unfortunately cancelled. Reasons given included decreasing audience numbers and substantial production expenses. The last episode was broadcast on April 17th.

Currently, Judkins has shared a long post on Instagram, labeling the cancellation as a crushing setback.

Judkins doesn’t know why Amazon pulled the plug

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself pondering over the enigma that surrounds the recent decision to end a beloved series. The showrunner, Judkins, hints that it wasn’t about ratings or budget constraints, nor was it due to fan disapproval. Even he admits that he himself isn’t entirely sure of the reason behind this surprising turn of events.

He expressed his regret that he couldn’t find a simple, straightforward way to explain to everyone who cares about it why it’s ending, as he wishes he could, but unfortunately, he can’t.

The show frequently ranked among Nielsen’s Top 10 for nearly 20 instances, surpassing many streaming series in terms of global audience. Yet, it became noticeable that its viewership declined during Season 3, as “The Wheel of Time” ceased to appear on the Nielsen charts.

“We made many sacrifices to get to that ending”

Judkins underscored their dedication to thoroughly portraying the grand saga of Robert Jordan’s book series, and they have been working meticulously towards a climactic, extended conclusion.

One essential aim… has consistently been to convey the entire narrative, as falling short on this feels like a crushing disappointment for everyone involved. (Judkins)

He criticized the common practice within the TV industry of ending or discontinuing lengthy series to generate temporary viewer increases, arguing that this approach diminishes the true worth of television as a means for narrative expression.

Could another network save The Wheel of Time?

Interestingly, Judkins hinted that there’s a slim chance the show could continue elsewhere.

This event isn’t common, but it does occur. Interestingly, one of the factors that initially drew us to Amazon was their decision to continue airing ‘The Expanse’ after SYFY stopped it,” he explained.

Even though it seems unlikely, Judkins concluded with a sense of optimism, suggesting that, much like the source material, the series somehow manages to persevere.

Maybe the new ‘Wheel of Time’ series will continue what the books have done from the start – challenge conventional ideas about ‘starts’ and ‘ends’,” he noted as well.

Read the full statement:

Over the past week, I’ve found myself answering a recurring question: “Why was The Wheel of Time series cancelled?” Frankly, I don’t have the answer. It’s disappointing that I can’t provide a straightforward and neat explanation to all the fans who cherish it, but unfortunately, my knowledge doesn’t extend far enough to give you a definitive reason for its termination.

I’d put it this way: Our show team, both actors and crew, are an exceptionally gifted and delightful bunch I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with. Not only did we create something cherished by audiences (and surprisingly, critics too!), but it also reached millions of viewers across the globe. For nearly 20 weeks, our series held a spot in the Nielsen Top 10, an accomplishment that only a select few shows have managed over the past decade.

As a devoted movie reviewer, I’ve always strived to convey the entire narrative when it comes to crafting this show, right from the initial conceptualization. The Wheel of Time series, much like television’s inherent strength, evolves and improves over time. With each new cast member and team player joining our journey, they too recognized the potential if we were given the chance to complete this epic tale.

The road to that finale was fraught with significant personal and creative compromises. The thought of falling short now feels like a crushing disappointment for every one of us involved in this labor of love.

There’s been a lot of discussion about how TV is moving towards shorter seasons with fewer episodes, seeking faster methods to gain more streaming subscribers. However, I firmly think this contradicts the core power of television – long-form storytelling. This art form, similar to epic fantasy, at its peak offers viewers a world to immerse themselves in and spend time with cherished characters annually, if not more frequently. I believe that some industry professionals understand this. I am optimistic that we will navigate through this phase of the business and return to our strong suit – introducing remarkable characters into people’s homes and lives week after week.

As a passionate cinephile, I often ponder if The Wheel of Time could find another platform to complete its captivating narrative. Regrettably, such occurrences are not common, but they do happen. One of the factors that initially drew us to Amazon as the home for this series was their decision to continue The Expanse after it was canceled by SYFY. So, could The Wheel of Time defy expectations and redefine the traditional concepts of ‘beginnings’ and ‘ends’, just like its source material has done since day one? I certainly hope so – the book series and its dedicated fans deserve to witness the story come full circle.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins)

Read More

2025-06-07 12:01