With Prime Video cancellingThe Wheel of Timedespite its positive claim, it is uncertain whether the streaming service’s adaptation of Rebecca Yarros’Fourth Wingnovels, and the fantasy genre as a whole, have a secure future in the current television landscape. Released in 2023,Fourth Wingsees the rise of a reluctant dragon rider named Violet Sorrengail, who is pushed onto her path at the behest of her mother in hopes of defending their home of Navarre. Alongside grappling with her own health conditions and reluctance, Violet must also survive other students' lethal attempts on her life.
Upon its release,Fourth Wingwas a viral hit on BookTok, earning an overall positive reception and kickstarting theEmpyreannovel series, of which three out of an expected five novels have been released. The novel’s worldbuilding, characters, and fantastical twists on the “dark academia” subgenre helped it stand out among other contemporary modern fantasy novels. In 2023,Michael B. Jordan’s production company Outlier Society and Amazon MGM Studios acquired the adaptation rights for the entirety of theEmpyreannovel series, with Yarros being confirmed as one of the series' executive producers.
Fourth Wing’s Fantastical Realm May Be Too Much For Television
WhileFourth Wingand theEmpyreansaga have continued to be a hit novel series, with the third novelOnyx Stormselling a 20-year high of 2.7 million novels according to publishing industry data provider BookScan, the ever-changing nature of the television industry could prove to be an obstacle that can send its television chances plummeting down to Earth. The novel series is centered on dragons and their riders, featuring large-scale fantasy battles between rival nations. As such,aFourth Wingseries would requirean incredibly hefty budget and dedication to VFX in order to bring it to life.
The widerEmpyreansaga’s dedicated fanbase itself could also prove to be an obstacle for the series. It is undoubtable thatFourth Winghas an incredibly passionate fandom, from the supportive fans who made it successful on TikTok by sharing their love of the series, to the artists and cosplayers who took painstaking care in using the novel’s descriptions to create artwork that visualizes theworld long before any official material has depicted it. They’ll likely have high standards for the series once production begins, when compared to the ideas they have formed over several years.
Fourth Wing’s Adaptation Is Even More Worrying After Wheel Of Time’s Cancellation
Despite Positive Acclaim, The Series Was Unceremoniously Canceled In May
Furthermore, recent developments with Prime Video’s other fantasy titles cast further doubt onFourth Wing’s chances of becoming the next television fantasy hit. In 2021, the streaming service set out to bring the ambitious, high-concept world of Robert Jordan’sThe Wheel of Timeto screens after many false starts.The Wheel of Timeis a tale of a world where fate is determined by the titular Wheel, as the state of the universe is cyclical, and few have the power to shift their existence.
Despite dealing in such high-concept themes,The Wheel of Timewas a critical hit for Prime Video, with the consensus of each season ranging above 80% and rising with each new batch of episodes. However, while the series had grown in critical appreciation, it was not enough to save the series from cancellation, with Prime Video confirming it would not progress further in May 2025. Ultimately,The Wheel of Timewas cut short, only adapting 5 of the 15 overall novels.
The Wheel of Timestands as one of the best-selling fantasy series of all time that spans several media, even before the television adaptation aired, and had a dedicated fanbase who had supported the series for 25 years. Despite this acclaim and prestige, evenThe Wheel of Timewasn’t spared from Prime Video’s business reorganization after having proved itself for three seasons. Because of this,many may fear that a less established series may not be given a similar chance to prove itself, and could be cut short even earlier.
The Fantasy TV Boom May Be Over
The Genre Is Seemingly Losing Prominence With Streamers
Beyond Prime Video,the fantasy genre is struggling on other streamers.At Disney+,Willowwas cancelled and removed from the service after a single season, despite the season finale teasing plans for a three-season run. Meanwhile, Netflix cancelledShadow & Boneafter two seasons despite strong fan support, viewership, and plans for a spin-off focused on theSix of Crowsduology, whileThe Witcherwill come to an end with its fifth season.
Some popular recent book series that have been acquired for television adaptations have struggled to even enter production. Sarah J. Maas’sA Court of Thorns and Rosesnovel series was acquired by Hulu in 2021, but was cancelled in February 2025, while other novel series such asMistbornandEragonhave similarly struggled in their own productions. As such, it seems that most streamers are pivoting away from the fantasy genre, potentially bringing the “fantasy TV boom” ushered in byGame of Thronesto a close.
Why There’s Still Hope For Amazon’s Fourth Wing TV Show
The Series Could Capitalize On What Helped Past Series Stand Out
However, while the future of fantasy on television may seem to be winding down,there are also signs that it is simply in a period of transition. Though several series have been brought to a close, the world ofGame of Thrones is still going strong with bothHouse of the Dragonand the upcomingA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsspin-off, while Disney+‘sPercy Jackson & The Olympianshas already been renewed for a third season. Meanwhile, Netflix has dedicated itself to a complete adaptation ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderand has heavily promoted itsOne Pieceadaptation.
Even Prime Video hasn’t completely abandoned the fantasy genre, as seen with their continued support ofThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. While its five-season commitment has earned it the distinction of being one of the most expensive television shows ever made, the series was renewed for a third season in February 2025, with production beginning in May 2025. The streamer has even acquired the rights to Lauren Roberts’Powerlessnovel series, with the intention of adapting the novels to television, showing their continued interest.
Furthermore,Fourth Winghas already proven itself to be a modern fantasy juggernaut akin toThe Hunger GamesandTwilight, thanks to its viral popularity. This pre-established fanbase and the lure of another darker, more mature fantasy title to newcomers could allow it to capitalize on the same qualities that helped bothGame of ThronesandThe Witcherstand out upon their debuts. Because of these factors,Fourth Wingmay be able to soar above the pitfalls that broughtThe Wheel of Timeto a halt.
