Beginning in 1990 and spanning 14 long novels, Robert Jordan’s seminal work The Wheel of Time is one of the largest fantasy series in history, so long that Brandon Sanderson had to finish writing it when Jordan passed in 2007. But the series has never had a proper screen adaptation. That’s changing with Amazon’s upcoming The Wheel of Time TV show, starring Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike as the Aes Sedai sorceress Moiraine.
And that’s not the only way newcomers can experience the story. Pike is also narrating a new audiobook version of the first novel in the series, The Eye of the World!
Pike’s soft yet powerful lends itself perfectly to this story. It’s on par with Andy Serkis’ stellar narration of The Lord of the Rings. Listen to an excerpt below, and hear The Eye of the World as you’ve never heard it before:
This all-new Wheel of Time audiobook from Macmillan Audio, is out now on Audible.
The Wheel of Time cast are all “genuine fans” of the books!
Pike doesn’t see her role as just another acting credit. “We’ve just put so much love into it,” she told Reuters. “I think whatever has infected fans of The Wheel of Time over the years has impacted us too and we’ve now become genuine fans.”
She also praises the cast for their joint effort in making the show as good as it can possibly be. “I haven’t been part of a cast like this since I made Pride and Prejudice in terms of this peculiar alchemy of personalities where there’s kind of magic in the shooting of it.”
I have no doubt the show will be a success. At least Amazon is enormously confident, with filming on season 2 already underway. Whether it will reach the nigh unprecedented heights of Game of Thrones remains to be seen, but if any fantasy work has the ability to enchant fans in the same way, The Wheel of Time may be it. Of course, Pike thinks viewers will be enthralled by Jordan’s story and dreads the thought of it bombing. “It would be a travesty if we didn’t make a success of it because what written is so amazing.”
The Wheel of Time isn’t the only big-budget fantasy show Amazon is making. They’re also pumping billions into a Lord of the Rings prequel show. Both of them are already renewed for more seasons before their debut seasons have even aired. There’s sure a lot of confidence in the fantasy genre these days.
The Wheel of Time premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 19.
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