Exclusive Insights: Jaw-Dropping Season 2 Locations and Thrilling Tone Revealed by The Wheel of Time Producers

Summary

The Wheel of Time season 2 features the heroes scattered across the world, finding their own power to face old and new enemies.

New locations and factions are introduced in the show, increasing the stakes and keeping the tension high in every episode. In season 2, the visual effects portraying the channelers' powers have been modified to match the descriptions in the books, enhancing the weave with greater detail and vivid colors.

In the upcoming season of The Wheel of Time, the Two Rivers heroes find themselves scattered across the world. Rand has gone into hiding, and Moiraine has lost her connection to the One Power after confronting the Dark One. With Moiraine now powerless, they must discover their own inner strength to confront both familiar and new adversaries. Although Rand appeared to have emerged victorious in his battle against the Dark One last season, it was just the beginning. As the Last Battle looms, they must each attain their own power and eventually reunite.

The Wheel of Time is a television adaptation of a series of novels by Robert Jordan, with the final books completed by Brandon Sanderson. The novels were adapted for TV by executive producer Rafe Judkins. The series features a talented cast including Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Josha Stradowski, Marcus Rutherford, and Dònal Finn replacing Barney Harris as Mat Cauthon.

Holger Reibiger, Marigo Kehoe & Mike Weber Talk Wheel Of Time Season 2

Screen Rant: Take me on a tour of the sets thus far. The first thing that strikes me is the tremendous ambition, grandeur, and magnitude. It appears to be larger in every aspect, including the number of characters involved. Could you shed some light on the comparison between season 2 and season 1 in terms of these aspects?

Marigo Kehoe explained that in season 1, there were already a significant number of sets, particularly for the White Tower. However, this season is focused on following individual stories, with each character going on their own adventures. As a result, there has been a lot of effort put into showcasing the characters' journeys in different locations around the world.

The season begins with Moiraine in Tifan's Well, which was filmed in Italy. Additionally, there are many scenes taking place in the White Tower, as Nynaeve and Egwene are there. The story also takes us to Kerene and a farm, offering a diverse range of settings to tell the story. Furthermore, there will be an influx of new characters joining the show.

The selection and sequencing of characters and storylines that receive screen time in each episode are determined by our showrunner-creator, Rafe Judkins. The choices are based on what is organic to the overall narrative and aligned with the key action and emotional, dramatic character arcs. This decision-making process is driven by the story's core elements and the impact they have on the audience.

In season 1, the characters exhibit a greater level of maturity compared to the books. Season 2 takes this maturity and intensifies it, resulting in a more adult tone. Could you discuss this evolution in tone?

Marigo Kehoe: Throughout season 2, the characters continue to grow and develop, which is a standout aspect of the season. We are able to witness their individual journeys as they navigate the complexities of their inner struggles and the external forces they face. There is a nuanced exploration of the balance between darkness and light, with the introduction of the forsaken characters and the looming threat of the Seanchan. As a result, the whole season focuses on their maturation and self-discovery, as they grapple with questions of identity and their place in the world.

The Seanchan faction is undeniably beloved by fans and accompanied by other intriguing new adversaries, which heightens the stakes. Maintaining this level of tension throughout future stories presents a challenge. However, by adhering to the novels and scripts, we can organically sustain it. Our goal is to deliver a fresh and innovative experience for the audience, incorporating new and unexplored locations that are visually grand and captivating.

Of course, we always strive to maintain high stakes, which is a great challenge for us. However, with the collective effort of our team, I am confident that we can achieve success. The cast members share a deep passion for the project, making the process much smoother for all of us.

Marigo Kehoe: We all thoroughly enjoy it.

Holger Reibiger: Absolutely. The level of detail in every conversation I've had is truly impressive. The costumes we walked through left a lasting impact on me. When I watched the first episode, I couldn't help but notice the enhanced visual effects surrounding the channelers using the weave. It's distinctly different - more intricate and vibrant in color. Was this a deliberate change from season 1?

Mike Weber elaborated on the evolution of channeling in season 1. The channeling scenes have transitioned from a grand finale with rain and fireballs at night to a more intimate setting. In these moments, the focus is on the intricate details rather than just debris falling or the chaos of battle. The aim is to capture the essence of channeling as described in the books and within the White Tower environment.

Marigo Kehoe highlighted the collaboration with Scarlet, the movement coach, to enhance the performances of the actors involved in weaving. Each actor brings their own interpretation and understanding to their character's channeling. Andy Scrase, the VFX supervisor, has closely collaborated with the actors and movement coach to discuss character traits and motivations.

Alanna exhibits a strong sensual presence, whereas Egwene experiences immense stress in conveying it. Nynaeve, on the other hand, radiates a vibrant burst of energy. We dedicated significant effort in enhancing these qualities, enriching them with vibrant colors. By incorporating elements such as water, earth, and air particles, we succeeded in intensifying the tangible essence of the scenes. For instance, the water now contains visible particles, while fire manifests as distinct fiery spots. The results are truly breathtaking and an exceptional testament to their artistic vision.

What were the most challenging aspects? Managing all the locations and new settings proved to be quite difficult. We had to construct extensive sets, both indoors and outdoors. It was particularly challenging to seamlessly blend the interior sets here in Prague with the various locations outside of Prague, in the Czech Republic, Italy, and Morocco. Our goal was to make it seem as natural as possible, so viewers wouldn't question whether it was filmed in a real place.

Besides adapting the books, what were the other major challenges in executing the season?

Mike Weber: Achieving the look we have is extremely challenging. We have to manufacture every article of clothing and prop, making it new yet aged, and seamlessly fit it into the world. Our highly skilled staff in every department invests a significant amount of time and energy in this process. Integrating it into the set also plays a crucial role. Audiences can easily notice when it is done right or wrong, and I believe we have done it right.

Marigo Kehoe: Meticulous attention to detail.

Mike Weber and Holger Reibiger express admiration for the intricacy of the Seanchan costume. However, they also acknowledge the importance of practicality since the costumes belong to soldiers who need to be able to move and fight. Despite being constructed from heavy real leather, the costumes retain their functionality as genuine armor.

Marigo Kehoe: Everybody has to talk to everybody. Stunts talk to costume.

Everyone's just saying that, yeah.

Mike Weber: If they aren't moving naturally, it can suddenly appear off. Thus, it's a combination of these minor intricacies.

Marigo Kehoe: Numerous discussions encompassing a wide range of topics, significant gatherings.

What part of season 2 are you most excited for the audience to see?

Holger Reibiger: Personally, I'm really looking forward to the location in Morocco that we filmed at. It's a place that no one has ever filmed before and it's so secluded. We knew we had to go there because it's absolutely stunning and it fits perfectly with the story. I can't wait for the audience to experience it. It's definitely my favorite moment.

Marigo Kehoe: The final episode is mine, and it's quite extraordinary. It truly stands out with its exceptional visual effects, mesmerizing sound design, outstanding music, and remarkable performances. It serves as a fantastic conclusion to the series.

Mike Weber: Personally, I am particularly impressed by the dramatic performances of the cast. The season allows them to truly showcase their talents, and I believe audiences will be incredibly amazed by their abilities.

Holger Reibiger: You can really connect to the characters throughout the season.

Marigo Kehoe: You get to know them as people.

About Wheel Of Time Season 2

Explore our collection of interviews for Season 2 of Wheel of Time below:

Sharon Gilham

Jan Petrina

Davina Lamont

Ondrej Nekvasil & Ondrej Nierostek

Sanaa Hamri & Thomas Napper

The first four episodes of Wheel of Time season 2 are available on Prime Video now, with new episodes dropping every Friday.

Source: Screen Rant Plus