Star Of Prime’s Criminally Canceled Fantasy Show Nailed Why Streaming Kills Great Shows

by

The way we watch TV has changed dramatically with streaming. Shows used to have time to build an audience over several seasons, allowing stories and characters to develop naturally. Now, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max need constant new content and rely heavily on data. This creates a ‘hit-or-cancel’ environment where shows are expected to attract viewers quickly, or they risk being cancelled. This focus on immediate results often prevents good shows from having the chance to fully develop, as subscriber numbers are prioritized over long-term storytelling. Many shows have fallen victim to this system, including Amazon’s The Wheel of Time.

Rosamund Pike, who plays Moiraine Damodred in The Wheel of Time, recently admitted that the first season didn’t quite hit the mark. She agrees with fan criticism, pointing to challenges during filming, including COVID-19 outbreaks and changes in key crew members. Pike believes the show really found its footing in Season 2 and truly soared by Season 3, becoming a well-crafted, compelling series that attracted talented actors. She suspects the show’s cancellation was due to the competitive streaming landscape, where platforms are constantly seeking new content. Pike wonders if a stronger start might have saved the series, suggesting The Wheel of Time fell victim to the industry’s focus on ‘what’s new’ rather than allowing shows time to develop.

The Wheel of Time Is Not the Only Streaming Show That Got Unfairly Cancelled

Many promising TV series are ending prematurely, and The Wheel of Time is a recent example. The pressure to become an instant hit makes it hard for shows with complicated stories to find an audience. Netflix’s 1899 is a clear case – despite initially ranking highly in many countries, it was canceled after only one season. Reports suggest the decision was based on how quickly people finished watching and the show’s high cost to produce. These measurements don’t consider viewers who prefer to enjoy a complex story gradually, instead of rushing through it. The creators had planned a three-season story, so the cancellation left fans with unanswered questions and a feeling of disappointment.

It’s a sadly common story. The thought-provoking series The OA, created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, was cancelled by Netflix after only two seasons, even though the creators had planned a five-season arc. This cancellation sparked a huge and dedicated fan effort to save the show, with supporters launching social media campaigns and even raising money for a billboard in Times Square.

Other ambitious shows, like the sprawling science fiction series Sense8 and the fantasy adventure The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, also ended prematurely, largely because they were expensive to produce and didn’t attract enough viewers. These cases demonstrate that even positive reviews and a dedicated fan base aren’t enough to save a show these days. Streaming services prioritize numbers like how many people watch in the first 28 days and whether they finish episodes, which discourages creative projects that take time to build an audience and often become beloved favorites over time.

Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time Is an Underrated Show

Following a difficult first season, The Wheel of Time really found its footing. Seasons two and three showed a much better understanding of the complex books they were based on, with viewers praising the faster pace, more developed characters, and clearer storytelling. Because the show had already established the world in season one, it could focus more on the personal stories and political struggles within it. The series also did a better job of connecting its many storylines, giving characters like Rand al’Thor, Perrin Aybara, and Egwene al’Vere more interesting journeys. The acting also improved, with Rosamund Pike’s performance as Moiraine and the introduction of compelling villains adding depth to the conflicts.

The show’s technical aspects significantly improved over time. Visual effects, magic, and action scenes became more impressive and refined, making the world feel expansive and realistic. The creators also listened to fans and made smart changes that stayed true to the source material while still being a unique adaptation. This progress was noticed by critics, who especially praised the final season. Sadly, the series was cancelled before it could fully reach its potential, leaving fans disappointed after becoming so invested in its detailed and compelling world. It had overcome a rocky start and was becoming a truly excellent fantasy story.

What do you think about the cancellation of The Wheel of Time? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/major-tv-shows-already-cancelled-2025/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-19 00:13