It’s incredibly disappointing when a show gets cancelled just as it hits its stride, but that’s what happened earlier this year to Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time. Based on Robert Jordan‘s lengthy book series, the fantasy adaptation only ran for three seasons before its sudden end. Despite fans’ hopes that Prime Video would reconsider the decision or a different streamer would pick up the series, no news has been confirmed. However, fans aren’t the only ones wishing for more, as proven by The Wheel of Time star Rosamund Pike‘s recent comments in a new Collider profile.

Despite serving as a producer in addition to her role as the powerful and strategic Aes Sedai Moiraine, even Pike was surprised by the cancellation, as echoed in her initial goodbye post to the series. It has been several months since Amazon decided not to proceed with a fourth season of The Wheel of Time, but Pike confesses, “In my dreams, another studio would be wise and pick it up.” The actress remains confident in the series she helped make, pointing out that it hit its stride just before its cancellation and that both fans and cast would be happy for The Wheel of Time to earn a miraculous revival. As unlikely as it is that this dream will come true, Pike’s candid remarks only prove that The Wheel of Time deserves a second chance.

Rosamund Pike Believes ‘The Wheel of Time’ Improved with Each Season

The Wheel of Time wasn’t a perfect series, but in Season 3, it hit a stride, making it the worst time for Amazon to cancel. Pike readily admits that the series had problems early on, explaining, “The fans said Season 1 wasn’t good enough, which I think I agree with, for multiple reasons. We were beset by COVID in the middle of our shooting. We had some heads of department change.” However, the series sorted these problems out, putting out a much-improved Season 2, and, by Season 3, The Wheel of Time became one of the most impressive fantasy TV shows on streaming, with Episode 4, “The Road to the Spear,” in particular, deserving recognition for its compelling story and worldbuilding scope. As Pike puts it:

“Then, by Season 3, I think we had our wings fully spread, and we were showing where we were capable of going, and there was a really well-acted, well-written, cohesive, deep show that was attracting powerhouse actors to come and play supporting characters. I think we showed what we were capable of doing with that material.”

Although The Wheel of Time had a rough start, Season 3’s high note only makes the show’s ultimate cancellation even more upsetting, and with so much story left to adapt, it could have continued to improve. Many shows often take time to reach their full potential, and The Wheel of Time wasn’t given that chance as Prime Video chose to prioritize other projects. However, the show’s growth over three seasons has left it ripe for a comeback, provided that a different streamer could give it the opportunity.

Both the Cast and the Fans Want More ‘Wheel of Time’

The Wheel of Time is not the only series that has been cancelled unfairly, but one thing that should attract interest from prospective new homes for the series is its devoted fanbase. Not only is there a strong petition to save the series, but Pike also recounted viewers reaching out to her to personally explain what The Wheel of Time has meant to them. Undoubtedly, Pike has only heard a handful of the stories about The Wheel of Time‘s impact on fans, but even so, she claims, “It’s profound and meaningful, and I just thought, ‘My God, if I could get the heads of Amazon here at stage door with me, listening to these stories…'” This kind of love for the series suggests that if another streamer brought The Wheel of Time back, it would have a built-in audience.

Pike’s enthusiasm makes it clear how much she would like The Wheel of Time to return, and it seems that she isn’t the only one with that sentiment. The actress also described the cast as especially close and says she’s still in contact with many of her colleagues and co-stars, including showrunner Rafe Judkins and Nynaeve actress Zoë Robins. Not only is it likely that people who get along so well would want to reunite if given the chance, but several cast members confessed their profound disappointment in its ending. Even more directly, a few shared their support for the fan campaign to save the series, including Josha Stradowski, who plays Rand, and Priyanka Bose, who plays Alanna. With several key cast members seemingly willing to jump back into The Wheel of Time‘s world, paired with an eager audience, this makes for a compelling, if fading, argument to save the series.

‘The Wheel of Time’ Season 3 Left the Story Open To Continue

Image via Prime Video

With its unexpected cancellation, The Wheel of Time lacks a proper ending, leaving the story on a cliffhanger as Rand moves closer to madness and many Forsaken are still on the loose. With roughly 10 books not yet adapted, The Wheel of Time’s story was far from over at the end of Season 3, which set up several important plotlines for a fourth season that will never come. As Pike insists, however, “We have the ability to make a great final sequence of seasons for this show.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely that The Wheel of Time will be rescued. Pike’s realistic assessment is, “We know what to do with these books now, so who knows? But I think we have to accept that it’s over.” That doesn’t mean fans cannot mourn the missed opportunities created by the series’ untimely end, but The Wheel of Time was at its best when Prime Video ended it, and if another streamer were inclined to revive the series, they would benefit from the lessons learned in previous seasons. With an established fanbase and so many cast members seemingly willing to return, it would be an easy win. However, after so long without encouraging news, The Wheel of Time is most likely over for good. Perhaps someday, there will be a new adaptation that reaches the end of the story, but until then, at least, fans can enjoy the three seasons we did get.

The Wheel of Time is streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.

Release Date

2021 – 2025-00-00

Network

Prime Video

Showrunner

Rafe Judkins

Directors

Sanaa Hamri, Ciaran Donnelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Thomas Napper, Maja Vrvilo, Wayne Che Yip

Writers

Amanda Kate Shuman, Dave Hill, Rohit Kumar, Justine Juel Gillmer, Celine Song, Rammy Park, The Clarksons Twins, Katherine B. McKenna