Wheel of Time’s Showrunner Hopes to Tell ‘the Whole Story’ in the Prime Video Series

The Wheel of Time is heading back to Prime Video for its third season in just a few weeks—bringing another round of adventures for Rand al’Thor and his pals, frenemies, and enemies, including (maybe?) that long-promised Last Battle. So far, Amazon hasn’t announced additional seasons for the fantasy series, but it could theoretically go on for many more years, given the mountain of source material in Robert Jordan’s novels. At a recent Wheel of Time press day, io9 asked showrunner Rafe Judkins if he already knows how the show will end.

“I always have an end game in mind,” he said. “We’re always plotting and planning how we want to do everything we’ve got. You’ll see stuff falling into this season that [hints at our] plans for the top of season four or into season five. So, we’re always approaching it from the writers’ room as if we’re going to make it to the end of this thing, and that this is how we want to tell that story. I think a lot of shows aren’t given the benefit of as many seasons anymore, but I think Amazon’s been an amazing network in terms of, from the outset on this, they really set out to tell the whole story. And so, I’m hopeful that even in the current world that we get to tell the whole story of the Wheel of Time.”

Given that Jordan’s series spans 14 novels, plus a handful of related works, by Jordan (who passed away in 2007) and later co-author Brandon Sanderson, the first season of The Wheel of Time was very careful to explain lore and plot points, to ease new fans into its complex fantasy world. Judkins said keeping the balance between the books and what’s been created for the screen is one of the most carefully considered topics in the show’s writers’ room.

“As we’re going into production, as well, and even in post, you really have to make the show for both audiences. We know that there’s a huge audience for this show that has never read the books before, and there’s a huge audience for the show that has, like I do, a deep emotional connection to these books and these characters that they want to see brought to life for the first time,” Judkins said. “So it’s always in our minds of balancing what we’re doing for those two audiences, but never sacrificing one or the other. It’s really important that we tell the story from the books as best we can in this medium that we’re in, and make sure that it’s first and foremost a great TV show.”

One of those Wheel of Time characters that fans are excited to see more of in live-action is Lanfear, played by Natasha O’Keeffe. Introduced in season two, she’s the slippery, seductive Forsaken with a special connection to Rand, both in reality and in the dream realm she uses to further creep into his consciousness. But Lanfear isn’t entirely villainous; despite her ties to the Dark One, she’s mostly out for herself first and foremost, which makes her fascinating to watch.

“I think she’s on a journey of self-discovery all of the time,” O’Keeffe told io9. “I think it’s forever evolving. Yes, she knows what she wants to get, but in terms of relationships and how she gets what she wants, and what she wants with Rand, it’s confusing. It’s actually—she is conflicted herself. But truth be told, I think she’s more hungry for power.”

Judkins added, “She always is! I think that’s one of the things that’s likable about her, actually: she certainly is interested in Rand and what’s developing with Rand, but her ultimate goals are for herself, and they always have been.”

The Wheel of Time returns for season three March 13 on Prime Video. The first three episodes will drop together, with a weekly drop to follow until April 17.

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