The Wheel Of Time Just Set An Amazing Record For Amazon
Touted as the next Game of Thrones, The Wheel of Time is based on the fantasy book series of the same name by author Robert Jordan.
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Amazon Prime’s fantasy series The Wheel of Time has become the streamer’s most-watched original series, stealing the spot held by Hunters since 2020. Following the release of the first three episodes on November 19th, the series clocked 1.16 billion viewing minutes of watch time. That means with a total running time of 169 minutes, these episodes drew in an audience of about 6.9 million people in the United States (via The Hollywood Reporter).
Speaking about The Wheel of Time, head of Amazon Studios Jennifer Salke said the ratings are a testament to everyone involved in the series. The incredible cast and the entire team took viewers on a journey into a visually stunning world populated with diverse characters and cultures. She told Variety the show is unlike any other fantasy series. And that’s why viewers all over the world are responding.
Touted as the next Game of Thrones, The Wheel of Time is based on the fantasy book series of the same name by author Robert Jordan. The series was adapted for television by Rafe Judkins who also serves as showrunner. The first season consists of eight episodes, with the finale set to air on December 24th. The Wheel of Time has already been picked up for a second run. Fans were introduced to new cast members for the new season during the show’s New York Comic-Con panel. Ceara Coveney will join Rosamund Pike as a series regular. She will portray fan-favorite character Elayne Trakand, along with Natasha O’Keeffe and Meera Syal, who also joins the show in undisclosed series-regular roles.
The Wheel of Time is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it. The story follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.
In addition to Rosamund Pike and Daniel Henney, The Wheel of Time cast features the acting talents of Joshua Stradowski as Rand al’Thor, Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybare, Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al’Meara, Madeleine Madden as Egwene al’Vere, Michael McElhatton as Tam al’Thor, and Álvaro Morte as Logain Ablar.
Maria Doyle Kennedy, Priyanka Bose, Daryl McCormack, Sophie Okonedo, Clare Perkins, and Kae Alexander also star. The role of Mat Cauthon, which was played by Barney Harris in season one, will be played by actor Dónal Finn in The Wheel of Time’s second season.
Larry Mondragon and Rick Selvage of iwot productions, Mike Weber and Ted Field of Radar Pictures, Darren Lemke, Marigo Kehoe, and Briesewitz serve as The Wheel of Time’s executive producers. Pike also serves as producer and Harriet McDougal and Brandon Sanderson serve as consulting producers.
Production for season two began in Prague in July 2021, and the show was about halfway finished with principal photography in late November. There is currently no release date for The Wheel of Time season two.
