Originally published April 21, 2017. Updated November 22, 2019.
It has been about a year since we have last heard anything about the planned television series based on Robert Jordan’s sprawling Wheel of Time book series. However, Variety has just reported that Sony Pictures Television will produce the high-fantasy TV series alongside Red Eagle Entertainment, and Radar Pictures. Rafe Judkins, known for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chuck, and Hemlock Grove is attached to write, and executive produce. Also attached is Robert Jordan’s widow Harriet McDougal, who will serve as a consultant producer for the show.
The Wheel of Time series is absolutely perfect for a television adaptation. The expansive 15 book fantasy series is full of amazing characters, depth, and lore that has the potential to keep things fresh for a long time. It is easy to see this show going well beyond Game of Thrones in terms of seasons. There is so much ground to cover in these books. Maybe too much. Any reader of the series will tell you that Robert Jordan was often guilty of bloated storytelling (a 15 book series will do that), and that there is plenty of opportunity to leave some parts of the books out of the show. Even with significant cuts, however, this will be a huge journey. One that could easily rival Game of Thrones if done correctly.
The Wheel of Time is a 15 book series by the late-writer Robert Jordan. Beginning with The Eye of the World, and concluding with A Memory of Light — written by Brandon Sanderson, following Robert Jordan’s death — the series follows the journey of ‘The Dragon Reborn’: A mythical, and dangerous figure prophesied to be born in a time when ‘The Dark One’ was close to breaking free from his bonds. According to prophecy, ‘The Dragon Reborn’ must fight ‘The Dark One’, possibly “breaking the world” in the process. An event that’s happened before, and will happen again.
… You can find Jordan on Twitter (@JordJJones), and Facebook.
