It’s a pretty awesome time to be a fantasy and science fiction fan when it comes to watching great streaming content on various video platforms. We can really trace this trend back to 2011 when HBO released the first episode of Game of Thrones. That series, perhaps more than anything other than The Lord of The Rings films, gave real credibility to crafting popular and well-produced content around stories about swords, dragons, magic, etc. It was such a hit for HBO and a critic favorite (at least some seasons) that numerous other streaming platforms and TV channels have created their own series to capitalize on the trend - with mixed success.
Certainly, on broadcast TV we have seen numerous urban fantasy style shows (we see you CW), where magic, vampires, werewolves, demons, dragons, and the like are brought to life in series like The Vampire Diaries and Charmed, but more traditional swords and sorcery fantasy hasn’t been quite as common (although shows like The Outpost and The Shannara Chronicles have given it a shot). The streaming services have had a bit more success, with Netflix coming on strong with The Witcher in 2019. But, fans have their eyes on the first entry into the genre from Amazon, with the upcoming The Wheel of Time series.
What’s the story?
The series will be working from an already completed series of novels by Robert Jordan (and later Brandon Sanderson) called The Wheel of Time. The series kicked off with the novel The Eye of the World way back in 1990 and wrapped up the story with the 14th novel in the series (A Memory of Light) in 2013.
The series includes some popular themes from fantasy novels, including a coming-of-age story for the hero, along with the hero’s journey we have come to expect in so many movies from Star Wars to Harry Potter. Our young hero faces his destiny to save the world from the evil Dark One and his minions, including various dark wizards and mythical creatures. The story is rich in characters and character development, with detailed backstories, a system of magic, prophecies, and a generally well-defined world that is largely based on European and Asian mythology and culture.
The novels have been wildly successful, creating a loyal fan-base that has been clamoring for a TV or film adaptation for literally decades.
When will it come out?
At the moment, Amazon has not announced an official release date. However, production began in 2019 and IMDB has the series tabbed for a first season comprised of 6 episodes in 2021. Producers have already said they have scripts largely completed for 8 additional episodes in season 2 - although it has not officially been renewed for anything beyond the first season at this point. The first season is reported to follow the events of the first novel, which introduces the main characters and leads toward a climactic battle for our hero and the forces of evil.
Who will appear in the show?
The cast includes a mix of well-known actors and lesser-known faces, including Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) as core character Moiraine and Josha Stradaowski as the main character, Rand Al’Thor.
With the show not scheduled to premiere until at least later this year, you have time to start reading the novels, if you enjoy watching a series after already reading the books.
