| This article contains spoilers for major events in season 2, and is likely to contain other significant spoilers for events throughout the entire series. Do not read any further if you wish to completely avoid spoilers for this character. |
Lanfear (Old Tongue for Daughter of the Night) is a character introduced in season 2 of The Wheel of Time television series portrayed by Natasha O'Keeffe.
She is introduced as Selene, the owner of the Crescent Inn in Cairhien. She and Rand are introduced with a "no strings attached" relationship. However, it is revealed that she is in fact one of the infamous Forsaken from the Age of Legends. Lanfear is an extremely dangerous and powerful channeler who serves the Shadow.
History[]
Early life[]
Lanfear was born in the Age of Legends and was originally known as Mierin. She was a researcher looking for a way to discover a "true power" that could be used by both men and women, one that would be far greater than the male and female halves of the One Power. However, her research would lead to the Dark One being unleashed upon the world.[1]
She shared a romance with Lews Therin Telamon, the Dragon Reborn, an extremely powerful Aes Sedai. However, their love comes to an end after Lews Therin meets his wife. This caused Lanfear to swear her oaths to the Dark One, hoping she could win back Lews Therin. She became one of the Chosen.[2]
During the Age of Legends, Lanfear was known to be both an extremely powerful channeler and Dreamwalker, possessing mastery of Tel'aran'rhiod, the World of Dreams.
Lanfear and the other Forsaken were sealed away behind cuendillar by Lews Therin before the Breaking of the World.[3][2]
Season 2[]
Lanfear is released by Ishamael after the latter's confrontation with Rand al'Thor at the Eye of the World.[3] Bayle Domon later found a broken piece of cuendillar from when Lanfear was released, as it was noticed that the old moon dial outside Cairhien shattered one night.[4] Some time after this, Lanfear settled in Cairhien, using the alias "Selene". She became the owner of the Crescent Inn in the city's Foregate, and appeared to accumulate a good amount of knowledge about the state of the world in the Third Age.[5][3]
Selene strikes up a "no strings attached" relationship with Rand, the Dragon Reborn, when he starts a new life in Cairhien.[5] She helps Rand when he is trying to find a bottle of Ghealdanin red wine for Logain Ablar by bringing him into a party held by the city's nobility. She informs him about Cairhienin politics before she meets Anvaere Damodred, adopting a somewhat dismissive attitude with the Cairhienin noblewoman.[6]
After Rand fails to learn anything from Logain, Selene invites him to a cabin at Kinslayer's Dagger, claiming that she used to spend time there with her family. When they reach the mountainous area, she claims that she, in fact, used to come here with her former lover. At night, Selene seems shocked when Rand embraces the One Power to defeat the Shadowspawn attacking them. She seems to be taken aback at first, and Rand says he must leave her, as male channelers are said to kill those they love when they go mad. She asks Rand if this means he loves her, and adopts a very understanding attitude. The two go inside the cabin to sleep together, and Selene confesses that she is a "monster" just like Rand, revealing that she is a channeler. However, at that moment, she is stabbed by Moiraine Damodred. Rand is furious that Moiraine "killed" his lover, but the Aes Sedai says that she could not have done so, as Selene is in fact Lanfear, one of the Forsaken. Moiraine instructs Rand to leave at once, while Lanfear's eyes go black with saa.[3][7]
Season 3[]
Relationships[]
Lanfear shared a romance with Lews Therin Telamon, the previous Dragon Reborn. However, their love ended after Lews Therin met his wife, causing Lanfear to swear her oaths to the Dark One. In Season 2, "Selene" develops a "no strings attached" relationship with Rand, the new Dragon Reborn, when he starts a new life in Cairhien.[5]
Physical appearance[]
Lanfear is an attractive woman with fair skin, blue eyes, black hair, and a slim build.
Abilities[]
Lanfear is one of the most powerful channelers ever to live. Considered one of the most dangerous Forsaken and an equal to Ishamael by the latter himself. She demonstrates immense knowledge and the ability to use highly destructive and deadly weaves instantly. She can also easily counterattack and defeat other channelers weaker than her in the strength of the One Power, including the mighty Aes Sedai; Liandrin Guirale, Siuan Sanche, and Moiraine Damodred.
Lanfear also demonstrates extraordinary skill in manipulating the entire Tel'aran'rhiod according to her own desires, showing a superior authority to even Ishamael in doing so.
Appearances[]
Lanfear appears in the following episodes:
| The Wheel of Time appearances | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 2 episodes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Season 3 episodes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Quotes[]
- Rand
- Selene
- — Season 2 episode 2 Strangers and Friends
That's the funny thing about people. When things get bad, we want to be alone. The truth is, that's when we need each other the most. We can be alone together.
- Rand
- Selene
- Rand
- Selene
- — Season 2 episode 2 Strangers and Friends
Well, maybe that will just have to be how this works for us. You'll help me remember... and I'll help you forget.
- Rand
- Selene
- — Season 2 episode 4 Daughter of the Night
No one and nothing ever gives you what you want. If you want something, you have to take it.
- Rand
- Lanfear
- Rand
- Lanfear
- — Season 2 episode 8 What Was Meant to Be
You know who I am.
Gallery[]
Season 2 images[]
Season 3 images[]
Trivia[]
- In December 2021, news site WoT Series reported that actress Karima McAdams may have been cast in the role.[8] It was later revealed that McAdams would portray Lady Suroth instead.[9][10]
- Michaela Ilavská was cast as Selene's body double for season 2, and she filmed in 2021 with director Sanaa Hamri.[11]
- On November 24, 2021, showrunner Rafe Judkins gave a joking (spoilery) answer in a Reddit AMA on who would be playing Selene in the show.[12]
Changes from the book series[]
Lanfear is an adaptation of the character of the same name 
(book spoilers!) from the book series.
[]
| 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[]
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 3 episode 4: The Road to the Spear.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 5: Damane.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 4: Daughter of the Night.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 1: A Taste of Solitude.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 2: Strangers and Friends.
- ↑ The Wheel of Time, season 2 episode 3: What Might Be.
- ↑ Twitter: @brother_Buddha @malkiersking @CTnapier @MaxRyanOfficial Saa-ch a cool final image. September 10, 2023.
- ↑ Eri, WoTSeries. Season Two Cast: Melissa James, Jessica Boone & More. December 26, 2021
- ↑ https://twitter.com/geekyeri/status/1550669333872799744
- ↑ https://twitter.com/WotTVSeries/status/1661365827470348293
- ↑ Michaela Ilavská's agency CV shows that she filmed in 2021 (season 2) in the role of "Body acting - role of Selene in the Wheel of Time" with director Sanaa Hamri. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ↑ Rafe Judkins AMA on Reddit, November 24, 2021. Q: "Who is playing Selene?" Answer (spoilers).