Season 2 of the web television series The Wheel of Time premiered on Friday, September 1, 2023 on Prime Video.[1] The season consisted of eight episodes.[2][3]
Synopsis[]
The official synopsis for The Wheel of Time season 2 from Prime Video:
Based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy series The Wheel of Time, a humble farm boy, Rand al'Thor (Josha Stradowski, Gran Turismo), learns he is The Dragon Reborn—a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world … or break it. Desperate to protect him from the Dark One, an army of powerful sorceresses must reckon with his burgeoning power and encroaching madness. The Wheel of Time turns, and the Last Battle approaches. Though Rand thought he destroyed the Dark One, evil is not gone from the world. In Season Two, threats new and very old seek out the young friends from the Two Rivers, now scattered over the world. The woman who found and guided them is now powerless to help, and so they must find other sources of strength. In each other, or themselves. In the Light ... or the Dark.
The Wheel of Time also stars Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, I Care a Lot) as Moiraine Damodred, Daniel Henney (Criminal Minds) as Lan Mandragoran, Zoë Robins (Power Rangers Ninja Steel) as Nynaeve al'Meara, Madeleine Madden (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) as Egwene al'Vere, Marcus Rutherford (Obey) as Perrin Aybara, Dónal Finn (Rogue Heroes) as Mat Cauthon, and Ceara Coveney (Young Wallander) as Elayne Trakand.
The Wheel of Time was adapted for television by executive producer and showrunner Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hemlock Grove). Larry Mondragon and Rick Selvage of iwot productions (Winter Dragon), Ted Field of Radar Pictures (Jumanji: The Next Level, Winter Dragon), Mike Weber (Jumanji: The Next Level, Beirut), Darren Lemke (Shazam!, Goosebumps, Winter Dragon), Marigo Kehoe (Outlander, The Crown), Justine Juel Gillmer (The Survivor, Halo), Sanaa Hamri (Empire, Lovestruck), and Amanda Kate Shuman (The Blacklist) also serve as executive producers. Rosamund Pike also serves as co-executive producer, and Harriet McDougal, Brandon Sanderson, and Lauren Selig are consulting producers. The Wheel of Time is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television.
Episodes[]
| # | Title | Air Date | Writer | Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | A Taste of Solitude | Amanda Kate Shuman | Thomas Napper | Sep 01, 2023 |
  Moiraine and Lan’s once unbreakable bond is in turmoil as they are no longer connected to The One Power. At the White Tower, Nynaeve and Egwene train to become Aes Sedai, with Liandrin keeping a watchful eye on both novices as she puts her agenda into motion. Perrin and Loial travel together in search of the Horn of Valere. | |||||
| 2 | 10 | Strangers and Friends | Katherine B. McKenna | Thomas Napper | Sep 01, 2023 |
  At the White Tower, Egwene meets a new royal friend as she wrestles with her jealousy of Nynaeve, Mat finds comfort in a drinking companion, and Liandrin approaches Nynaeve with an enticing offer. Rand attempts to settle into his new life in Cairhien by moving on from Egwene, while visions of past events haunt Perrin as he and the Shienarans investigate the mysterious death of a Fade. Moiraine and Lan continue to struggle to find common ground on their journey. | |||||
| 3 | 11 | What Might Be | John McCutcheon | Sanaa Hamri | Sep 01, 2023 |
  As he begins to lose control over The One Power, Rand confides in Logain in the hopes that he might have a solution. Nynaeve faces her darkest fears at the White Tower as she endures the Trial of the Arches. Perrin and the Shienarans engage Lady Suroth and her minions, and Liandrin offers Mat an unexpected choice. | |||||
| 4 | 12 | Daughter of the Night | Dave Hill | Sanaa Hamri | Sep 08, 2023 |
  Moiraine searches for Rand while Nynaeve mourns her losses. | |||||
| 5 | 13 | Damane | Rohit Kumar | Maja Vrvilo | Sep 15, 2023 |
  Moiraine and Rand flee for their lives. Egwene and Nynaeve encounter a new foe. | |||||
| 6 | 14 | Eyes Without Pity | Rammy Park | Maja Vrvilo | Sep 22, 2023 |
  Rand makes a risky alliance and Egwene gathers her strength to confront the horror of her circumstances. | |||||
| 7 | 15 | Daes Dae'mar | Justine Juel Gillmer | Sanaa Hamri | Sep 29, 2023 |
  A familiar face foils Moiraine and Rand’s plans. | |||||
| 8 | 16 | What Was Meant to Be | Rafe Judkins & Timothy Earle | Sanaa Hamri | Oct 06, 2023 |
  Fate leads Rand and the others to an inevitable showdown with their most formidable enemies yet. | |||||
Cast and characters[]
Starring and guest-starring:
- Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred
- Daniel Henney as Lan Mandragoran
- Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al'Meara
- Madeleine Madden as Egwene al'Vere
- Josha Stradowski as Rand al'Thor
- Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybara
- Dónal Finn as Mat Cauthon (recast)
- Ceara Coveney as Elayne Trakand (new)
- Sophie Okonedo as Siuan Sanche
- Kae Alexander as Min Farshaw
- Hammed Animashaun as Loial
- Priyanka Bose as Alanna Mosvani
- Laia Costa as Moghedien (new)
- Jennifer Cheon Garcia as Leane Sharif
- Jay Duffy as Dain Bornhald (new)
- Lindsay Duncan as Anvaere Damodred (new)
- Fares Fares as Ishamael
- Kate Fleetwood as Liandrin Guirale
- Emmanuel Imani as Ihvon
- Hayley Mills as Gitara Moroso (new)
- Álvaro Morte as Logain Ablar
- Johann Myers as Padan Fain
- Taylor Napier as Maksim
- Natasha O'Keeffe as Selene (new)
- Ayoola Smart as Aviendha (new)
- Meera Syal as Verin Mathwin (new)
Co-starring, recurring characters:
- Nila Aalia as Adeleas
- Marie-France Alvarez as Celestin
- Lily Banda as Mulaen
- Gary Beadle as Elyas Machera
- Jessica Boone as Alwhin
- Ken Bradshaw as Asan Sandair
- Gregg Chilingirian as Ingtar Shinowa
- Heikko Deutschmann as Tomas
- Jade-Eleena Dregorius as Seta
- Arnas Fedaravicius as Masema Dagar
- Daniel Francis as High Lord Turak
- Nyokabi Gethaiga as Ryma
- Stuart Graham as Geofram Bornhald (returning)
- Juliet Howland as Natti Cauthon (returning)
- Vladimír Javorský as Aludran
- Joelle as Joiya Byir
- Julian Lewis Jones as Bayle Domon
- Bentley Kalu as Basan
- Akie Kotabe as Turak's Voice
- Katie Leung as Yasicca
- Karima McAdams as High Lady Suroth
- Sandy McDade as Maigan (returning)
- Michael McElhatton as Tam al'Thor (returning)
- Xelia Mendes-Jones as Renna
- Iris Peynado as Missus Amudee
- Ragga Ragnars as Bain
- Guy Roberts as Uno Nomesta (returning)
- Robert Russell as Jhonas, the Damodred Butler
- Salle Salée as a Novice
- Abdul Salis as Eamon Valda (returning)
- Maja Simonsen as Chiad
- Rima Te Wiata as Sheriam Bayanar
- Will Tudor as Barthanes Damodred
- Valerie Vachkova as Miri
Co-starring, non-recurring as of season 2:
- Michael Amariah as a gleeman
- Neelam Bakshi as Alanna's Sister
- Seraphina Beh as Arrata
- Adrian Bouchet as Artur Hawkwing
- Pavel Bousek as Husband
- Mohamed Boussalem as Whitecloak sergeant
- Raquel Cipriano as a Novice
- Laura Crowhurst as Stablemaster
- Rachel Denning as Nyomi
- Nasser El Guennouni as Seanchan Guard #1
- Asia-Sky Fenty as Elnore Jr.
- Zdenek Gloser as Sanitarium Patient #1
- Ephraim Eli Goldin as Turak's Guard #1
- Said Hamdi as Seanchan Guard #2
- Jonathan Hawkins as Beerien al'Meara
- Tony Lee Herbert as Cook
- Esther Ayo James as Accepted
- Melissa James as Elnore al'Meara
- Ethan Kamula as Child
- Lubna Kerr as Another Sister
- Vincent Kerschbaum as Sun Palace Servant
- Daisy Kosmider as Farina
- Haruka Kuroda as Aunt #2
- Natasha Jayahendry as Cousin #1
- Curtis Matthew as Cantina Barkeep
- Nasser Memarzia as Errol
- Stewart Moore as Older Man
- Jacqueline Moré as Burned Woman
- Krishan Naidoo as Cousin #2
- Darragh O'Toole as Yann
- Julianna Bacelar Pereira as Yellow Aes Sedai
- Michael Pitthan as Bartender
- Nirav Prajapati as Seanchan Da'covale
- Marie Pressova as Young Girl Patient
- Petra Ptácková as Tuatha'an Mother
- Aliyah Sesay as Jamila Amudee
- Amy Sharp as Niko
- Anna Skladchikova as Sanitarium Patient #2
- Bronte Smith as Young Nynaeve
- Leonardo Taiwo as Young Warder
- Helen Tran as Amaresu
- You-Ri Yamanaka as Aunt #1
Additional characters:
- Birgitte Silverbow, a Hero of the Horn
- Hopper, a wolf
- Lady, a dog
- Tigraine Mantear (flashback using archive footage from season 1)
Production[]
On November 13, 2019, Rafe Judkins revealed that work had begun on writing season two.[4] On April 18, 2020, Judkins stated in a virtual convention panel that his team would "have all eight scripts going into prep for season two", again confirming that season 2 is being worked on.[2] On April 28, 2021, Deadline reported that filming for season 2 was to begin immediately after season 1.[5]
On May 19, 2021, the season two premiere episode title page was posted to the official Twitter account, but quickly deleted. On May 20, 2021, it was officially announced that the series was renewed for its second season.[6][7][7][8]
On September 15, 2021, it was announced that Sanaa Hamri joined the second season as an executive producer and director of half of the season.[9]
Casting[]
On September 20, 2021, it was announced that Dónal Finn has been tapped to portray Mat Cauthon, replacing Barney Harris, who played the role in the first season, the recasting's reasons are unknown.[10] On October 8, 2021, Rafe Judkins announced during the series’ panel at New York Comic Con that Ceara Coveney, Natasha O'Keeffe and Meera Syal joined the second season as series regulars.[11] On December 6, 2021, it was announced that Guy Roberts, Arnas Fedaravicius and Gregg Chilingirian were set for recurring roles.[12]
On April 22, 2023, in a video for JordanCon, four additional cast members were officially revealed: Maja Simonsen as Chiad, Ragga Ragnars as Bain, Jay Duffy as Dain Bornhald, and Rima Te Wiata as Sheriam Bayanar.[13]
Principal photography[]
Filming began on July 19, 2021.[14] On November 24, 2021, Amazon announced that season 2 was halfway through filming.[15] Principal photography wrapped in Morocco on May 3, 2022.[16] Principal photography for season 2 was officially confirmed wrapped on May 18, 2022.[17]
Filming took place in at least three countries:
- Czech Republic
- Jordan Studios in Prague is the primary studio location
- Morocco[18]
- Italy[22]
Post-production[]
On December 17, 2022, showrunner Rafe Judkins said that "there's still a lot of work that we've got to do for the show in post, VFX, all of that."[23]
Pre-release marketing[]
On April 22, 2023, a video was released for JordanCon that announced four new cast members. Rafe Judkins, research consultant Sarah Nakamura, and several cast members answered questions from fans in the video.
On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Rafe Judkins announced the return of #WoTWednesday, for which he would do small reveals on Wednesdays. That day, he shared a video teasing Meera Syal's undisclosed role with a spread of actor headshots.[24] On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, Judkins revealed some designs for Siuan Sanche's tattoos.[25] On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike, which prevents any WGA members for writing or doing promotional work. So the next day, instead of promoting the series, Rafe Judkins wrote in support of the strike and spotlighted the work of writer Amanda Kate Shuman.[26]
On May 24, 2023, it was announced that season 2 will premiere on September 1, 2023. A 2023 release was first revealed in a Prime Video press release in December 2022.[27] Later that month, showrunner Rafe Judkins said in an interview with Dragonmount that he believes it will premiere in 2023.[23] On April 21, 2023, Harriet McDougal stated in a podcast that she thought season 2 would premiere "sometime this fall", but she wasn't sure about that.[28] On April 27, 2023, a press release from BAFTA about Meera Syal stated that season 2 will appear "this autumn".[29] On May 1, 2023, Amazon stated in a press release for their Amazon Freevee streaming service that season 2 will premiere "this year".[30]
Release[]
The Wheel of Time season 2 premiered the first three episodes on Friday, September 1, 2023 at midnight UTC on Prime Video. Episodes were then released one a week, with the finale scheduled to release on Friday, October 6, 2023.
Prior to global release, there was a premiere event held at the Two Rivers set in August 2023.[31] Theatrical screenings will also be held in select locations on August 30, 2023, including Los Angeles and London.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Notes/Trivia[]
- The second season will predominantly focus on the events of the second and third books, The Great Hunt
(book spoilers!) and The Dragon Reborn (book spoilers!),[32] with elements of the first book, The Eye of the World (book spoilers!).[33][34] - The Aiel and Seanchan will feature prominently this season.[32][35]
- At JordanCon 2022, Rafe Judkins teased Season 2 in five words as "we are going to Falme."
References[]
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly, See old friends and new faces in The Wheel of Time season 2 first-look photos. May 24, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Eight episodes confirmed in a panel with Rafe Judkins on April 18, 2020. Video: JordanCONline WoT on Prime panel @ 23:24.
- ↑ Twitter Q&A, July 21, 2022. A fan asked, "How many episodes will@Season 2 be? If only 8 again, will they be longer?" and Judkins responded, "They are longer than first season, but yes, still only 8"
- ↑ Rafe Judkins' Twitter: Starting the S2 writers’ room on Wheel of Time and the Czech builders didn’t fully grasp how many whiteboards are needed to break an entire season of television. Ha. November 13, 2019.
- ↑ Deadline: Czech Republic Touts Production Return: ‘Wheel Of Time’, ‘Carnival Row’, ‘Dangerous Liaisons’, ‘The Gray Man’ Among Host Of Shoots by Andreas Wiseman. April 28, 2021. "work continues on ... The Wheel of Time (Amazon, Sony) with Rosamunde Pike, which is finishing up shooting on the first series, with the second series to follow immediately afterwards".
- ↑ Amazon Studios official press release: Amazon Studios greenlights season 2 of world-spanning fantasy series The Wheel of Time. May 20, 2021.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Deadline: ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Renewed For Season 2 By Amazon Ahead Of Launch by Peter White. May 20, 2021.
- ↑ Official social media: "With this many Ta’veren in one place, one season was never going to be enough." on Twitter and on Instagram. Rafe Judkins on Instagram: @amazonprimevideo has officially greenlit The Wheel of Time TV show for a second season! We are all unbelievably happy about it, and here’s a sneak (even if you already sneaked) peek of the cover of Episode 201, written by my partner in crime and Queen of all things Wheel of Time — @akshuman". May 20, 2021.
- ↑ Deadline: ‘The Wheel Of Time’: Sanaa Hamri Boards Season 2 As Director & Executive Producer. September 15, 2021
- ↑ Deadline. 'The Wheel Of Time': Dónal Finn To Play Mat Cauthon In Recasting On Amazon Series As Barney Harris Not Returning For Season 2. September 20, 2021.
- ↑ NYCC virtual panel, October 8, 2021, stated by Rafe Judkins.
- ↑ Deadline: ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Rounds Out Season 2 Recurring Cast With Guy Roberts, Arnas Fedaravicius & Gregg Chillingirian by Denise Petski. December 6, 2021. Also posted on Twitter: Thomas Chaanhing is Lord Agelmar, Sandra Yi Sencindiver is Lady Amalisa, Guy Roberts is Uno Nomesta, Arnas Fedaravicius is Masema Dagar, Gregg Chillingirian is Ingtar Shinowa. Note that Chaanhing and Sencindiver were in this announcement but appear in season 1, so a return for season 2 is unclear.
- ↑ JordanCon Video: Ask The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime Anything! April 22, 2023.
- ↑ Official Twitter: And the wheel keeps weaving... Filming for Season 2 of our series kicks off today! #TheWheelofTime. July 19, 2021.
- ↑ Collider: 'The Wheel of Time' Season 2 Is Halfway Finished With Principal Photography by Matt Villei. November 24, 2021.
- ↑ Davina Lamont, makeup designer, posted on Instagram that filming was wrapped on May 3, 2022.
- ↑ Official social media account posted on Twitter: "That's a wrap for season 2!" May 18, 2022.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Rafe Judkins did a video interview for JordanCon from set in Essaouira, Morocco. YouTube: Ask The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime Anything at JordanCon 2022. April 22, 2022.
- ↑ Actor Hassan posted an image of himself and Rosamund Pike on Instagram from Dakhla, saying "It was a wrap". May 4, 2022.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 WoT Series: Morocco Updates and Cast Speculation by Eri. March 30, 2022.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Le360: Info360. Ouarzazate: la saison 2 de la série «La Roue du temps», en tournage en mars au Maroc
- ↑ Daniel Henney stated in a Q&A for JordanCon that he filmed scenes on an Italian island with Rosamund Pike. YouTube: Ask The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime Anything at JordanCon 2022. April 22, 2022.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Live interview with Dragonmount (view on YouTube) on December 17, 2022.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/rafejudkins/status/1648712280270417922
- ↑ https://twitter.com/rafejudkins/status/1651279579850629120
- ↑ https://twitter.com/rafejudkins/status/1653811884578029568
- ↑ Press release from Prime video: Prime Video Brings Panel Line-Up of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Action-Thrillers to Brazil’s CCXP 2022. December 3, 2022. "... Season Two of the series, which is expected to premiere in 2023."
- ↑ Twitch podcast ÉVÉNEMENT ! La Roue du Temps : BRANDON SANDERSON et HARRIET McDOUGAL en LIVE ! Interview avec La Pierre de Tear et Bragelonne. April 21, 2023. At about 00:36:18, Harriet McDougal states: "There will be season 2 of the series sometime this fall -- I think. I'm not sure about that, they're keeping it very tightly under wraps."
- ↑ BAFTA press release: Meera Syal CBE to be honoured with BAFTA Fellowship at the 2023 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises. April 27, 2023. "[Meera Syal] will be seen in two new major series this autumn; The Wheel of Time (2023) and Mrs Siddhu Investigates (2023)."
- ↑ Press Release: More Than 100 Amazon Originals From Prime Video to Stream on Amazon Freevee This Year, released on May 1, 2023. Relevant quote: "Later this year, Freevee viewers will also be able to stream ... the full first season of The Wheel of Time, prior to its second season premiere this year on Prime Video."
- ↑ https://twitter.com/TheWheelOfTime/status/1696603624070320216
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Rafe Judkins on Empire Spoiler Special Podcast. February 9, 2022.
- ↑ Twitter Q&A, July 21, 2022. A fan asked, "Which books make it into season 2?" and Judkins responded, "Pieces of 1,2 and 3."
- ↑ Twitter Q&A, July 21, 2022. A fan asked, "How far into the books will this season take us, [now that] the EF5 are much more split up than EotW", and Judkins responded, "We are trying to get a fair amount of what’s done in Books 1-3 (large parts still being held for later) by the end of S2 so that S3 can be a much closer adaptation of TSR"
- ↑ Inside the Wheel of Time: Episode 1 (ft Marcus Rutherford) | Prime Video. November 23, 2021.