Some showrunners are questioning the Amazon Studios’ creative philosophy.
Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, reportedly the most costly series made to date, was not the standout hit the company had hoped for.
Despite breaking Amazon Prime’s streaming record on its debut, the series heralded by Amazon Studios CEO Jennifer Salke as “culturally defining” had a disappointing 37% domestic completion rate, and a 45% completion rate outside the US.
Major performance guilds weren’t raving about the series either, with it receiving a mere single SAG-AFTRA nomination, and even that being for its stunt ensemble.
Salke seems adamant that The Rings of Power is a success story, however. She said: “This desire to paint the show as anything less than a success – it’s not reflective of any conversation I’m having internally.”
Yet, showrunners inside Amazon Studios are unhappy.
