Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan[1] is a character introduced in season 3 of The Wheel of Time television series. She is portrayed by Shohreh Aghdashloo.[2]
Elaida is a powerful Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah and the advisor to Queen Morgase Trakand of Andor. She is a proficient politician and channeler.[1]
History[]
Early life[]
Elaida served as Highest of the Red Ajah long ago. The Reds were considered to be the most influential Ajah in the White Tower under her leadership.[3]
Moiraine Damodred both looked up to Elaida and was terrified of her when she was a novice. Elaida took a liking to her and said she wanted her to reach her full potential. When Moiraine was having problems channeling, Elaida beat her with lashes of Air and Fire, refusing to stop until the pain was so overwhelming that Moiraine reached out and grabbed the power.[4][5]
Elaida has had several Foretellings throughout her life and is proud of each one. One of her most important Foretellings is that the queendom of Andor would play a major role in the Last Battle. Elaida then set out on fulfilling the Foretelling, and helped Morgase Trakand win the nation's Succession War and become queen.[3][6]
After Marith Jaen's death, Elaida was considered as a potential Amyrlin Seat, but lost out to Siuan Sanche.[3]
Season 3[]
Relationships[]
Physical appearance[]
Elaida appears as a woman in her seventies. She has a lightly tanned white complexion, and both her eyes and hair are dark. She often wears her hair in elaborate updos, and, as is typical of a Red Ajah, she goes around dressed in red. However, Elaida is different from her sisters in that her gowns and jewelry are much more ostentatious and luxurious, probably due to her role as Morgase's closest royal advisor in Andor.
Abilities[]
Elaida is a rather powerful and feared Aes Sedai. She has been shown to be capable of instantly slit Amico's throat with just a flick of her wrist with the One Power, and binding and torturing Joiya with additional weaves. She also has the Talent of Foretelling.
Appearances[]
Elaida appears in the following episodes:
| The Wheel of Time appearances | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 episodes | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | m |
| Season 3 episodes | X | ✔ | ✔ | ? | ✔ | X | X | ✔ |
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- In April 2023, showrunner Rafe Judkins confirmed at JordanCon that Elaida would appear in the series.[7] Whether or not she would be in season 3 was not confirmed.
- In September 2023, WoT Up! reported that Shohreh Aghdashloo would portray Elaida in season 3.[8] The casting was officially announced over a year later on December 11, 2024.
- On April 24, 2024, audition scripts for Elaida were reported by WoT Series.[9]
Gallery[]
Changes from the book series[]
Elaida is an adaptation of the character of the same name 
(book spoilers!) from the book series.
- Introduction - Elaida is introduced later in the story in the TV series. She was introduced in the first book, The Eye of the World, which was adapted in season 1.
[]
| Characters |
|---|
        Padan Fain • Liandrin Guirale • Alanna Mosvani • Logain Ablar • Maksim • Ihvon • Min Farshaw • Loial • Siuan Sanche • Leane Sharif • Ishamael • Verin Mathwin • Lanfear • Anvaere Damodred • Dain Bornhald • Aviendha • Gitara Moroso • Moghedien • Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan • Faile Bashere • Season 1 characters • Season 2 characters • Season 3 characters • see all |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 From the press release, December 11, 2024.
- ↑ Tweet posted 11 Dec 2024. "The whispers were true. Shohreh Aghdashloo is officially an Aes Sedai." The attached image says she portrays Elaida in season 3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 3: Seeds of Shadow.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 1 episode 8: The Eye of the World.
- ↑ Confirmed on Rafe Judkins' Instagram that Elaida was Moiraine's teacher.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 2: A Question of Crimson.
- ↑ Statement from Rafe Judkins in the JordanCon 2023 video, released April 22, 2023.
- ↑ WoT Up!, EXCLUSIVE Wheel of Time Season 3 casting leak! Shohreh Aghdashloo will be playing Elaida Sedai! September 11, 2023. "WoT Up has received documentation that proves that [Shohreh Aghdashloo] will be playing Elaida Sedai for season 3 and beyond."
- ↑ WoT Series, Audition Sheds Light on Elaida’s Season 3 Arrival by Eri and Omar. April 24, 2024.