When Jennifer Salke exited Amazon, the future of a number of projects started on her watch became somewhat unclear. Then, almost our of nowhere, one got cancelled. The fantasy epic The Wheel of Time.
It was one of the best-reviewed fantasy shows of the year, with a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes for the third season. It was also doing well in the ratings. It was #1 in many countries, and the first two seasons were fixtures in the Nielsen Top 10.
So why did it get canned?
The Salke fallout was unquestionably a factor. Many of the shows under her tenure had large budgets. With streaming revenues no longer growing and, in many cases, declining then her shows were always going to be looked at.
The showrunner Rafe Judkins has hinted that this may have been a factor, but still had plenty to say about the cancellation on Instagram.
“I’ve been asked the same question many times the last week – why was The Wheel of Time cancelled? And the truth is, I don’t know. I wish I could say something clear and tidy that explains to all those who love it why it’s coming to an end, but sadly, I can’t.”
He pointed out that this is a developing trend on TV now. Shorter seasons, fewer episodes, more chance of sudden cancellation:
“Much has been written about this larger trend in TV toward fewer seasons with less episodes and finding quicker ways to acquire additional streaming subscribers. But I genuinely believe that this goes against the fundamental strength of television – long-form storytelling.
It is an art form, much like epic fantasy, which at its very best, gives people a place to go and spend time with the characters that they love year after year after year. And I believe there are executives, studios, and networks who know that. I believe that we will find our way through this current iteration of the industry and back to what we do best – bringing great characters into people’s living rooms and lives every week.”
An online petition has been created at SaveWot.com and in less than two weeks, it has reached more than 137,000 signatures.
