Amazon may have canceledThe Wheel of Time, but a newGame of Thronesreplacement show is on the way. SinceGame of Thrones’endingin 2019, streaming services have sought sprawling, epic stories in an effort to fill that cultural space, offering audiences the next addictive TV series.
The Wheel of Timewas the perfect candidate, given that Robert Jordan’s book series is one of the few fantasy titles that could rivalGame of Thrones. However,Amazon canceled its high-budgetWheel of Timeadaptationafter just three seasons.
Amazon Prime Landed BBC’s King & Conqueror
After being developed by the BBC and Paramount, deals were made to haveKing and Conquerordistributed on Amazon Prime Video in the United States. This continues the streaming service’s ever-growing library of high-budget, blockbuster television, from fantasy shows likeThe Rings of Powerto upcoming adaptations likeBlade Runner 99andGod of War.
While Amazon isn’t developing content at the quality of HBO or in the volume of Netflix, it’s become a reliable home for IP-based entertainment and other high-budget projects.King and Conquerorlooks to be a promising, prestige addition with exceptional production value, a top-notch cast, and the potential to appeal to theGame of Thronesmarket.
King & Conqueror Could Be The Next Game Of Thrones
While many fantasy shows have attempted to fill the cultural space left byGame of Thrones, Emmy-winning series likeShogunandSuccessionhave proven to be alternate, successful routes. Following up onShogun’ssuccess, 2025 has seen more historical epics hit TV screens, with Apple TV+’sChief of War, and now the upcomingKing and Conqueror.
WhileGame of Throneswas, undoubtedly, fantasy, much of the cultural appeal could be tracked to its similarities with historical fiction and political dramas.King and Conquerorexplores 11th-century England, a period considered one of the most pivotal moments in world history, examining the rivalry between William the Conqueror and Harold II.
Both of the show’s lead characters are played by actors who have spent some time in Westeros. William will be played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who played Jaime Lannister inGame of Thrones. Harold will be played by James Norton, who’s set to star inHouse of the Dragonseason 3 as Lord Ormund Hightower.
King & Conqueror Is More Promising Than The Wheel Of Time Season 4
As much as I was starting to enjoyThe Wheel of Timein season 3, the show lost too much momentum with the mediocre first and second seasons to ever fill the shoes ofGame of Thrones. I’m all for ambitious projects in Hollywood, butThe Wheel of Timewas perhaps still too ambitious for what the current TV medium can offer.
