Amazon’sThe Wheel of Timehas finally gotten a release date announced for its upcoming third season, which will be available on Prime beginning on July 08, 2025. SinceWheel of Time’s explosive season 3 trailerwas released at CCXP 2024, it’s seemed that the struggling fantasy series may be finally reaching a balance between needing to remain faithful to the beloved book saga and finding its own identity as a TV show.Season 3 ofThe Wheel of Timepromises to show some major pieces of world-building that haven’t yet made it to the screen.
So far, though,The Wheel of Timehas struggled to find support from old and new fans.Although it looks likeWheel of Timeseason 3 will change at least one complaintabout its adherence to established canon for the better, the show is in a precarious position and in dire need of solid success. WithWheel of Timeseason 3 also positioned to introduce long-awaited characters, there’s a lot riding on this chapter if there’s hope for a fourth season.
Wheel Of Time Season 3’s Release Date Advantage Is Good, But It Needs More To Succeed
First-Mover Advantage Won’t Be Enough To Correct Two Seasons' Worth Of Audience Discontent With Wheel Of Time
It’s objectively a good thing thatThe Wheel of Timewill be released without any competing show splitting viewers' focus — one of theissues plaguingThe Lord of the Rings:TheRings of Poweris its repeated release alongsideThe House of the Dragon, forcing viewers to prioritize which show they watch. In the modern streaming environment, where initial stream counts are a major benchmark by which a show’s continued viability is judged, not having to worry about another platform stealing viewers is a blessing for a show that’s spent the past two seasons continually making choices that alienate potential viewers.
Wheel of Timeseason 1
81%
60%
Wheel of Timeseason 2
86%
80%
However,Wheel of Timeseason 3 still needs to deliver something compellingif Amazon hopes for it to course-correctand find itself in viewers' good graces. There are plenty of narrative and production opportunities ahead for the streaming giant, and as the show begins to explore some of the more critical turns of the plot from the originalWheel of Timebooks, it’s crucial that season 3 not just keep making the same story mistakes, no matter what external advantages it has.
How The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Can Turn Around The Show’s Biggest Complaints
A Little Bit Of Consistency Could Go A Long Way Towards Reinvigorating Wheel Of Time’s Narrative
Although slow to find its footing,Wheel of Time’s second season was a positive changefor the struggling show, providing far more action than the occasionally plodding season 1 while also introducing many of the elements from the books that audiences felt had been missing. While the initial setup of season 1 was so heavily changed from the source material that many fans felt the world was almost unfamiliar,season 2 introduced important characters like Elyas Machera(Gary Beadle) and Masema Dagar (Arnas Fedaravicius), both of whom have great significance in the books.
Season 3 needs to continue on this trend, not necessarily by suddenly conforming to the novel canon 100%, but definitely by following up on theWheel of Timebook events from the season 3 trailer. The novels provide a rich tapestry of text to draw from, and the changes Amazon makes often feel arbitrary rather than like they contribute to the story.Rand (Josha Stradowsk) and company visiting the forbidden city of Rhuidean is such a pivotal moment inThe Shadow Rising, and if executed well, it could well helpThe Wheel of Timeredeem itself— at least, for most viewers.
It May Be Too Late To Win Some Wheel Of Time Book Fans Back Over
Some Fans Will Never Be Satisfied, Regardless Of Adherence To Wheel Of Time Canon
It’s no secret that the changesThe Wheel of Timehas already made from the books have alienated numerous fans of the novel series. In particular, giving Marcus Rutherford’sPerrin Aybara a wife just to fridge herin the first episode has long inspired the ire of critics and fans alike. Evennovel author and show consultant Brandon Sanderson has apologizedfor that particular narrative choice. With season 3 set tointroduce pivotal characters toWheel of Time—namely Perrin’s eventual love interest Faile Bashere (Isabella Bucceri) — it raises the question of what other repercussions these changes may have.
2 Subtle Differences Between The Wheel Of Time Books & Series Could Have 2 Big Impacts On The Show
The comings and goings of the Forsaken and changes to the prophecy of the Dragon Reborn mean the Amazon show could further diverge from the books.
It was inevitable that Amazon’s version ofThe Wheel of Timewould be different from the booksbecause that’s the nature of any adaptation. Yet many of these changes feel like they’ve been done simply for the sake of changing things, and that’s rubbed enough fans the wrong way that the show may not ever be able to recover, even if season 3 winds up blowing critical expectations out of the water. When season 3 ofThe Wheel of Timepremieres on August 12, 2025, it may well prove to be the beginning of the wheel’s slow grind to a halt.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
