Game of Thrones was an epic fantasy, there’s no doubt about it. There’s yet to be another show that has come close to the quality and popularity that George R. R. Martin’s creation achieved, but the future is looking bright and we have several contenders. One of them is Amazon’s The Wheel of Time, which is itself an adaptation of Robert Jordan’s 14-book series. The showrunner, Rafe Judkins, is aware of the comparison being made with Game of Thrones, but he’s looking hopeful.
Speaking on the Ringer-Verse podcast, Judkins explained why he believes The Wheel of Time has to become a show of its own, quite different from what Game of Thrones was. “This show and the books are not like Game of Thrones. I said that to Amazon right up front,” he said. “I was like, ‘If you are looking for the next Game of Thrones, this isn’t it. What I’m gonna pitch you is a series that is really different.’”
“I think when people say they’re looking for the next Game of Thrones, often they mean something that pops the cultural bubble and exists in a hugely global space. I think the next thing that does that will be a totally different kind of show.”
“I loved the Thrones books and loved the adaptation, too,” he continued. “I was like, ‘I love this, but it’s not what this is and I’m not gonna make it this, so if we engage in this together, do it knowing that you’re bringing something else that’s really amazing to life.”
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