If you’ve been on the internet in the last few months, you’ve probably come across an Instagram feed that’s made you reconsider your “no thirsting on social media” rule. That’s right—Taylor Napier, The Wheel of Time star, and all-around gorgeous human being, has been dropping some seriously steamy photo sets, leaving fans collectively losing their cool. You know, the kind of cool that can only be lost when you’re faced with that level of thirst-inducing visuals.
RELATED: Working It Out Caveman Style + Radiant River Days + More
Let’s rewind a bit: It all started on May 9 when Napier casually kicked off his I’m-too-hot-to-handle photo series with an unbuttoned flannel and a pair of blue jeans that look like they’re about to quit on him any minute. The caption? A breezy “Mid afternoon haze with Brian Kaminski in LA.” As if the sight of him in a flannel was just a passing thought. It was not.
Of course, no one was really prepared for what came next. Just a couple of weeks later, he released an even hotter set. Gone were the jeans. Gone was the shirt. What was left? A black pair of briefs and a grey cardigan, leaving just enough to the imagination but, honestly, not much. The caption for this one: “A long night.” You could almost hear the collective sigh of people still grappling with their own long nights of confusion over how someone can be so effortlessly sexy.
RELATED: Marvin Cortes: Hot on the Runway, Even Hotter on OnlyFans
Then came June 18, and with it, the aptly titled “Dreaming” photo set, which was—how do we put this delicately?—an absolute dream come true. In it, Napier is lying on the floor, stretched out in that way that only the truly confident (and deeply attractive) can pull off. Let’s just say the angle gave fans a little more personal access to Maksim’s, well, “assets.” So, yeah, fan accounts and Twitter exploded, and it was like everyone collectively shouted, “Thank you, Taylor Napier, for existing and for making all of our lives just a bit hotter.”
And just when you thought you were safe from this whirlwind of thirst, on July 24, Napier dropped the bombshell: the final installment of the series with a seductive bedroom shot—because of course he had to conclude this journey with a shot that practically begged for a fan-made shrine. The caption? Simply, “End.” We all know that’s a lie, though. You don’t just end a sex-appeal series like that. We’ll be rewatching those photos for the next decade.
Unsurprisingly, the reactions flooded in. People were expressing frustration over how impossible it is to focus when Taylor posts something so irresistible. Some were more playful, showing their appreciation for his posts, while others took things to the next level with bold comments, even offering a proposal in response to one of his photos. Honestly, it’s hard to blame them.
Now, if you’re wondering how we ended up here—where photos of a man in an unbuttoned flannel or minimalistic underwear become the talk of the town—you can blame The Wheel of Time (and, okay, maybe a little bit of Napier’s sheer charisma). Season three of the hit Prime Video series returned with Napier reprising his role as Maksim, the dashing and dependable Warder with an undeniable sex appeal. Napier’s character is tangled in a complicated, passionate relationship that only deepens the allure of his portrayal. His dedication to Maksim, a character who’s as fierce as he is vulnerable, makes him more than just a pretty face in a fantasy world. He’s the fantasy, which, honestly, is the role every fan has been dreaming about.
But it’s not just the chemistry between the characters that’s making waves. Maksim’s storyline represents a refreshing shift in the way relationships are portrayed on-screen, especially when it comes to polyamory and bisexual male visibility. In an era where LGBTQ+ characters are still sometimes boxed into predictable and limited narratives, Maksim stands out as a polyamorous, bisexual character who navigates multiple loving relationships with depth and respect. This kind of representation is still rare, and it’s part of what makes the character—and the show—so groundbreaking. Fans of the series have praised the portrayal of diverse sexual identities, especially in a high-fantasy setting where heteronormative storylines often reign supreme.
But just as Maksim’s love life heats up, the reality of the show’s fate hit hard. Despite a glowing reception from critics (seriously, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes), The Wheel of Time didn’t get renewed for a season four. Fans of the show were devastated, and you better believe Napier shared a heartfelt response. On Instagram, he posted a snapshot with Bose on set, writing, “What a joy. There’s nothing more to say than that.” A bittersweet end to a ride that we all wished would go on forever.
At the end of the day, though, fans and followers aren’t just grieving the cancellation of a show—they’re mourning the end of a summer where Taylor Napier blessed us with his perfectly sculpted abs and undeniably magnetic presence. While the world may not have given us season four, Napier gave us something even better: an Instagram feed full of thirst-worthy content and more sex appeal than any of us were ready for.
So, what’s next? Well, no one knows for sure—but if Napier’s Instagram feed is any indication, the thirst isn’t going anywhere. And neither is he. Whether it’s as Maksim or just as Taylor Napier, we’ll keep tuning in… as long as he keeps posting.