Prime Video made a splashy entrance into the fantasy and adventure genre when they got the rights to adapt Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time fourteen-book series for television. Rafe Judkins is the showrunner – otherwise known as the head honcho – for the program. Before getting the Wheel of Time gig, he wrote for Hemlock, Chuck, and even Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
I’ve been following the news about the series for The Cosmic Circus, and a new Decider article caught my eye. Before you go any further in reading, please note there are some mild spoilers ahead.
In an interview with Megan O’Keefe from Decider, Judkins broke down some of the decisions from the past season, including some of the significant ways in which the high-budget Amazon series differs from the book series that, along with Lord of the Rings, helped define the fantasy genre. (Interestingly, Prime Video has a Lord of the Rings adaptation coming out too. The show doesn’t have an announced name yet, but Amazon is so confident in its success that they’ve already ordered a second season.)
The Decider interview coincides with the season finale’s airing. “Eye of the World,” the 8th episode, and some pretty big things happen that set the stage for the next season. It’s worth a few moments of your time to read.
The Wheel of Time – A Quick Television Show Primer
Prime Video’s Wheel of Time season 1 has eight episodes – the last of which is available to stream starting last night. As of May of this year, there’s a second season in the works, too. The WoT adaptation stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, the show’s central character. She’s a member of the powerful Aes Sedai. Daniel Henney is Moiraine’s bodyguard, aka warder, Lan Mandragoran. Josha Stradowski is the show’s Rand, and Fares Fares is Ishamael. Marcus Rutherford, Zoë Robins, Barney Harris, Sophie Okonedo, Madeline Madden, and Michael McElhatton round out the mega-talented cast.
The fantasy show takes place in a time where magic is madness-inducing for men. The world is dealing with the aftermath of the event called “The Breaking of The World” that ended the Age of Legends.
The Wheel of Time – How and When to Watch Season Two
Fans will have to wait a while before the next season of The Wheel of Time releases, but rest assured, the wheel will keep weaving. Filming has been happening in Europe since the end of July, with the principal photography expected to end in February next year. We know from a splashy reveal on Twitter, however, that Episode 201 of the first season is written by Amanda Kate Shuman and titled “A Taste of Solitude.”
With this many Ta’veren in one place, one season was never going to be enough. #TheWheelOfTime #TwitterOfTime pic.twitter.com/CtuGitxPSn
— The Wheel Of Time (@TheWheelOfTime) May 20, 2021
Like Judkins, Shuman also wrote for Chuck. However, viewers may recognize her name from her time writing for NBC’s The Blacklist. Whatever “A Taste of Solitude” is about, it’s in good hands.
What did you think about Season 1 of Wheel of Time? Are you excited for Season 2, or do you think you’ll pass? Leave a message in the comments or DM on Twitter to start a conversation.