Amazon Studios Greenlights Action Fantasy Series The Wheel Of Time Based On The Best-Selling Novels By Robert Jordan Which Have Sold More Than 90 Million Copies Worldwide

Rafe Judkins to serve as showrunner; Series will be co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television

SANTA MONICA, Calif., October 2, 2018 – Amazon Studios today announced it has ordered the one-hour action fantasy The Wheel of Time to series. Based upon Robert Jordan’s best-selling fantasy novels, which have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, the series was adapted for TV by Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chuck) who also serves as showrunner, and is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television. The Wheel of Time will premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories.
The Wheel of Time is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it. Meaning that in this series — women hold the keys to power. The story follows Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization called the ‘Aes Sedai’ as she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women. Moiraine’s interested in these five because she believes one of them might be the reincarnation of an incredibly powerful individual, whom prophecies say will either save humanity or destroy it. The series draws on numerous elements of European and Asian culture and philosophy, most notably the cyclical nature of time found in Buddhism and Hinduism.
"The Wheel of Time is endlessly fascinating and resonates hugely with fans as one of the best-selling global properties, and we were drawn to its timely narrative featuring powerful women at the core," said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. "We’re thrilled to extend our relationship with devotees who’ve found the book series transformative and welcome new ones by bringing it to life on Prime Video for viewers worldwide."
"Developing and producing Robert Jordan’s beloved fourteen-books-series for TV is a big undertaking, and we don’t take it lightly," said Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Event Series, Amazon Originals. "We believe that Rafe’s personal connection to the material and soulful writing will resonate with the book’s passionate fans."
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to produce The Wheel of Time with our friends at Amazon," said Co-President of SPT Chris Parnell. "In Rafe Judkins, we’ve found a brilliant visionary that is a true fan of the books and ready to bring Robert Jordan’s world to life."
Judkins commented: "For so many people, including me, this book series has served as a world to escape to, to lose yourself in, to devour and inhabit completely. And I couldn’t be more honored to be the one finally bringing that world to life on screen, for old fans to lose themselves in all over again and new fans to discover for the very first time."
Judkins serves as showrunner and executive producer. Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon of Red Eagle Entertainment, Ted Field and Mike Weber of Radar Pictures (Beirut, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) and Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After) are Executive Producers. Harriet McDougal is a consulting producer.
Amazon Studios creates original television series which premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video which is available globally in over 200 countries and territories. This year, Prime Video will premiere a number of original series, including the recently launched Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan starring John Krasinski, Homecoming from creator Sam Esmail and stars Julia Roberts and Bobby Cannavale, the third season of The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming second season of Emmy Award-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
ABOUT SONY TELEVISION STUDIOS
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing and distributing programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global production business operating 22 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 12 countries around the world. Sony Pictures Television is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.