The Wheel of Time may have come to an unexpected halt after Amazon Prime Video opted not to renew the series for Season 4, but showrunner Rafe Judkins is holding onto hope—citing The Expanse as a real-world example of how canceled shows can find new life.
Based on Robert Jordan’s beloved fantasy book series and starring Rosamund Pike, The Wheel of Time faced early criticism from fans over deviations from the source material in its first two seasons. However, Season 3 marked a turning point—earning widespread praise and setting up what many believed would be the show’s strongest arc yet.
Despite positive momentum, Prime Video chose not to continue the series after reportedly lengthy internal discussions. While executives reportedly enjoyed the show, financial sustainability appeared to be the deciding factor.
Author Brandon Sanderson—who completed Jordan’s original book series—publicly expressed disappointment, noting that while he had reservations about the adaptation, the passionate fanbase deserved closure after such a strong final season. He also criticized the production team for using his name for credibility without meaningful collaboration.
In his first official statement since the cancellation, Judkins acknowledged the lack of a clear explanation but emphasized the show’s global reach, citing Nielsen data showing it spent nearly 20 weeks in the Top 10—a rare achievement in today’s streaming landscape. He described the team’s mission from the start as adapting the full story arc, making the abrupt end feel deeply personal and professionally devastating.
Judkins also voiced concern over the broader industry trend of shorter seasons and rapid subscriber acquisition strategies, arguing these practices undermine television’s greatest strength: long-form storytelling that builds lasting emotional connections with audiences.
Referencing The Expanse—which found a second life on Amazon after SYFY canceled it—Judkins left the door open for another network or streamer to pick up The Wheel of Time. “So who knows?” he wrote. “Perhaps the show will do what the books have always done—defy traditional definitions of ‘beginnings’ and ‘ends.’ I certainly hope it does—because this book series and these fans deserve to see the story finished.”
As of now, reports suggest the show is not actively being shopped to other platforms—a blow to over 130,000 fans who’ve signed a petition urging its revival. Still, Judkins’ message remains one of cautious optimism: in a medium built on resilience, endings aren’t always final.
