The decision follows over a month of internal discussions after the Season 3 finale aired on April 17, 2025.
Despite being praised as the show’s best season creatively—with a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes—Season 3 reportedly failed to meet global viewership expectations relative to its cost. The series, co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, was one of Prime Video’s most expensive productions. While The Wheel of Time topped streaming charts in multiple countries, it dropped out of Nielsen’s U.S. Top 10 Originals list after three weeks, unlike its previous seasons.
Launched in 2021, The Wheel of Time was initially one of Prime Video’s biggest series debuts and helped establish the platform in the fantasy genre, later joined by The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The show stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred alongside a large ensemble cast including Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, and Zoë Robins.
Sources say the Season 3 finale was designed to provide closure in anticipation of a potential cancellation. Despite the cancellation, Prime Video and Sony TV will continue their Emmy campaign for the third season.
Showrunner Rafe Judkins and producers have been credited with improving the series each season, both creatively and critically. However, even strong reviews and loyal fans weren’t enough to offset rising costs in today’s competitive streaming landscape.