One thing has held Apple TV back from becoming the dominating force in streaming, but its new fantasy adaptation could change that.
Though it all started with Netflix and Hulu, the streaming wars have evolved as more streamers have entered the market and others have merged. As it stands, viewers are increasingly turning away from Netflix in favor of platforms such as Peacock and Apple TV.
The number of Apple TV original shows might be smaller than that of other streamers, but they are of excellent quality. However, they still need one big thing to dominate streaming, and their upcoming fantasy adaptation could give it to them.
Apple TV Dominates In Every TV Genre Except Fantasy
Apple TV is best known for its top-notch science fiction shows, but it has truly made a name for itself in almost every genre. In comedy, they have Ted Lasso and Shrinking. The crime dramas include Black Bird and Slow Horses. In drama, there’s The Morning Show and Five Days at Memorial. Apple TV has released horror shows like Calls and Servant. The list goes on and on.
However, the notable exception to this is fantasy, which the streamer has barely touched. Apple TV’s only notable show in the genre is Schmigadoon!, a surrealist fantasy. Though the show is great, it’s just one show, and it’s not the high fantasy that remains popular with fans. However, Apple TV’s acquisition of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe books could change that.
The Stormlight Archive Could Be The Fantasy Series Apple TV Needs
The Stormlight Archive is an epic high-fantasy story set on the fictional planet Roshar, a world of stone and storms where magic once existed but has since vanished. The next description will sound very vague, and that’s because it’s nearly impossible to describe The Stormlight Archive without big spoilers.
The first book in the series follows several protagonists, including a surgeon-turned-soldier who is enslaved, an assassin who hates killing, a woman who turns to thieving to save her family, and a prince who was formerly a warmonger. They have the potential to bring back magic. This is almost definitely where the show will start.
Brandon Sanderson is known for his incredible world-building and magic systems, and the characters are well fleshed out. As such, the foundation for a phenomenal fantasy show already exists. The challenge is translating it for the screen. Roshar has an entirely different ecosystem and appearance from Earth. The animal species are basically all a variety of crabs.
The good news is that Apple TV puts in the time and money necessary to make shows great, rather than rushing to put out a subpar TV show. Apple TV’s shows have high production value, especially when the stories exist in a fictional world. Just look at Foundation and For All Mankind.
If they give The Stormlight Archive the same resources, the show could cement Apple TV as a source for top-notch high fantasy.
