PRIME TIME

Everything we know so far on Amazon’s epic fantasy adaptation

The Wheel Of Time? That’s like The Circle Of Life, right?

Not quite. It is, rather, an epic series of fantasy books written by Robert Jordan. Sprawling across 15 volumes (including one prequel) the books were published between 1990 and 2013, the final three written by Brandon Sanderson, after Jordan’s death.

Another Game Of Thrones wannabe, then?

Not really. This one’s ‘high fantasy’, so much heavier on the magic, which, incidentally, is split into two halves: the male (Saidin) and the female (Saidar). Of course, Saidin is tainted by evil and drives all male magicians mad, which is a downer.

Mad wizards. Got it. So what’s the story?

It’s a classic hero’s journey involving a trio of small town friends called Rand, Perrin and Mat (yes, Mat) who depart on a grand adventure that involves Aes Sedai witches, Aiel warrior women, bestial henchmen called Trollocs and the reincarnation of an ancient wizard called The Dragon. It may sound daft, but the mythology is intricate and the storytelling compelling.

Who’s making it?

Amazon is adapting the novel into a series, with Chuck and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. writer Rafe Judkins adapting the novels. Release date is TBC, but rumour has it we may see the show in late 2019, just in time to fill that Thrones-shaped hole in our lives. JAMES DYER