While much of the entertainment world’s search for “the next Game of Thrones” has been focused on the upcoming The Lord of the Rings series, it’s another fantasy series being developed by Amazon that could take up the mantle. Like Game of Thrones, The Wheel of Time novel series, first announced last October, tells an epic and sprawling tale set in a magical world. Giving The Wheel of Time a leg up on Game of Thrones is the fact the books were actually completed. As we all found out, that can really help a TV series with big aspirations. But even then you still need a great cast to tell your story, and Amazon thinks it has found theirs, as they have announced the actors who have signed on to the series as regulars, as well as many supporting cast members.
Rosamund Pike will be playing Moiraine a lead character in the first novel who guides three young adventurers on a dangerous journey.
Please welcome Rosamund Pike to the Wheel of Time family. Say hello to Moiraine. #WoTWednesday pic.twitter.com/577Hffwy6Y
— The Wheel Of Time (@TheWheelOfTime) June 19, 2019
Joining her will be Madeleine Madden (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) as Egwene Al’Vere, one of the main female protagonists who is often thought to be arrogant, and someone “frequently described as wanting to learn everything, as fast as possible.”
Marcus Rutherford (Obey) as Perrin Aybara, a strong ta’veren and wolfbrother who “has exceptional skills in manipulating Tel’aran’rhiod.”
Barney Harris (Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk) as the great general Mat Cauthon, “the Marshal-General of the Band of the Red Hand, and the husband of the Empress of the Seanchan empire.”
Zoë Robins (The Shannara Chronicles) as Nynaeve, “one of the most powerful female channelers currently alive.”
Josha Stradowski (Just Friends) as Rand Al’Thor, “the most central of the three main protagonists of the series” and “the prophesied savior and breaker of the world.”
Additional cast members include Daniel Henny as al’Lan Mandragoran, Michael McElhatton as Tam Al’Thor, Alvaro Morte as Logain Ablar, Hammed Animashun as Loial, Alexandre Willaume as Thom Merrilin, Johann Myers as Padan Fain, Lolita Chakrabarti as Marin Al’Vere, Michael Tuahine as Bran Al’Vere, David Sterne as Cenn Buie, Christopher Sciueref as Abell Cauthon, Juliet Howland as Natti Cauthon, Mandi Symonds as Daise Conger, Abdul Salis as Eamon, Stuart Graham as Geofram, Pasha Bocarie as Master Grinwell, Jennifer Preston as Mistress Grinwell, Izuka Hoyle as Dana, Darren Clarke as Basel Gill, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Illa, Narinder Samra as Raen, and Daryl McCormack as Aram.
Amazon
Let’s not forget the fascinating and legendary Amyrlin Seat Siuan Sanche. She’s the leader of the Aes Sedia. Amazon announced on August 19 that Sophie Okonedo will play the key character as a recurring role.
Faye Thomas
And Min Farshaw? Who I want to say things about but don’t want to spoil anyone. Kae Alexander will portray her, also in a recurring role.
Amazon’s also added a few other recurring roles too: Kate Fleetwood as Liandrin Guirale, an Aes Sedai; Clare Perkins as Kerene Nagashi, an Aes Sedai; and Peter Franzen as Stepin, Kerene’s Warder.
And you thought Game of Thrones‘ cast was ridiculous.
Please welcome the Tuatha'an, our newest cast members to the #WOTonPrime family:
— The Wheel Of Time (@TheWheelOfTime) July 22, 2020
Maria Doyle Kennedy @mariadkennedy as Illa
Narinder Samra @kalaiedoscopes as Raen
Daryl McCormack @DarylMcCormack as Aram pic.twitter.com/Liovbt42R9
Set in a world of magic where only certain women are allowed to access, The Wheel of Time “follows Moiraine, a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.”
For a fantasy series with a massive fanbase already built-in (the books have sold 90 million copies), that might not be the most famous list of young actors in the world. Of course, neither was the cast of Game of Thrones when they were chosen.
Featured Image: Tor Books
Originally published August 24, 2019 and updated on July 22, 2020.