Will Fourth Wing Be Prime Video’s Answer to Game of Thrones?

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Prime Video is trying to create the next big hit like Game of Thrones. HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s books set the standard for high fantasy, demonstrating that a show can have a detailed world, compelling characters, and still stay faithful to its source material.

As streaming services battle for viewers, Amazon’s Prime Video really needs a hit show to stand out. They were hoping that big-budget fantasy series like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time would make them leaders in the genre, but those shows haven’t quite achieved that level of success.

While The Wheel of Time and The Rings of Power weren’t bad shows, they didn’t become as popular as Game of Thrones. Amazon (Prime Video) is still looking for a fantasy series that can match Game of Thrones‘ huge success, and their new show might finally be it.

Fourth Wing Has A Massive Fanbase

Rebecca Yarros’s novel, Fourth Wing, which is part of the Empyrean series, has become incredibly popular online, especially with the BookTok and Bookstagram communities. Its combination of romance and fantasy has drawn in readers who enjoy both types of stories, making it a perfect fit for a television adaptation – and Prime Video has secured the rights to do just that.

Amazon announced in October 2023 that it would be making a series based on the popular novel by Rebecca Yarros. The project is being produced by Michael B. Jordan’s company, Outlier Society, but it’s faced a setback with the departure of showrunner Moira Walley-Beckett, according to Variety.

Even with some challenges, fans are still looking forward to the Empyrean series, especially since Michael B. Jordan has hinted it will deliver what they’re hoping for, while also bringing new elements to the story. Fourth Wing definitely has high expectations to meet, given all the excitement and support it’s receiving on social media from its dedicated fans.

It’s hard to say whether fans of Fourth Wing will like the upcoming TV adaptation, but Prime Video is starting with a built-in audience. If the show stays true to the book, it has a strong chance of being popular with the online book community, like Bookstagram and Booktok.

Prime Video’s Fourth Wing Has An Advantage Over The Rings Of Power

Prime Video hoped The Rings of Power would become as popular as Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, the show didn’t quite achieve that goal, partly because its placement in the Lord of the Rings timeline felt off to many viewers. While The Lord of the Rings is beloved and has a strong following, it’s true that the story has been adapted into movies and shows several times before.

Because of the many existing Lord of the Rings adaptations, fans weren’t actively hoping for another one. However, Fourth Wing fans are excited about the possibility of seeing their beloved characters and dragons brought to life on screen. The enthusiasm from the Empyrean series fandom for Prime Video’s decision to develop the show demonstrates this desire.

Even before The Rings of Power premiered, there wasn’t a lot of excitement surrounding it. Although Fourth Wing is currently very popular, we need to remember that Prime Video hasn’t consistently produced long-lasting fantasy series.

While The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time demonstrated Amazon’s ability to produce visually stunning high fantasy series, Fourth Wing offers Prime Video a valuable opportunity. Following the mixed response to The Rings of Power, they can now prioritize fan expectations and create a series that truly resonates with the audience.

Will Prime Video’s Fourth Wing Series Be Mainstream Enough?

Custom image by Amanda Bruce

Even though Fourth Wing is based on a popular book with a large existing fanbase, that doesn’t automatically mean the show will be a hit, as many people haven’t read the original novels. It’s still uncertain whether the series will appeal to a broad enough audience to become truly mainstream.

The upcoming Prime Video series based on the first book in the Empyrean series could learn from HBO’s success with Game of Thrones. Like Game of Thrones, Fourth Wing will need to both stay true to the original novel and attract viewers who are new to the story.

With a mix of established and new actors, a unique and inventive story, and a dedicated fanbase, the Fourth Wing series could become Prime Video’s next big hit, similar to Game of Thrones.

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2026-03-01 21:39