What Awaits in Season 3 of 'The Wheel of Time' Adaptation: A Book-inspired Preview

Article Summary

Filming for Season 3 of The Wheel of Time is well underway, adapting the fourth book in Robert Jordan's series, The Shadow Rising.

In Season 3, viewers will be taken to well-known places such as the Aiel Waste, while also being introduced to intriguing new cultures. Inner conflicts within the White Tower may arise, and Tanchico as well as the Sea Folk will have their part to play in the third season.

Filming for The Wheel of Time Season 3 has been underway for several months and is expected to premiere in 2025. Following the success of Season 2, the upcoming season will adapt The Shadow Rising, the fourth book in Robert Jordan's series. While the third book, The Dragon Reborn, will be skipped, certain elements from it have already been incorporated into the show. This decision was likely made due to the repetition of character arcs in the third book, which were already established perfectly in Season 2 in preparation for The Shadow Rising. The third season promises an exciting array of experiences, including revisiting familiar locations and exploring new ones like the Aiel Waste. Moreover, viewers will have the opportunity to delve into additional cultures. As a result, there may be potential spoilers for the future of The Wheel of Time, so proceed with caution if you prefer to remain unaware.

The Wheel of Time

Release Date: November 19, 2021

Cast: Barney Harris, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Michael McElhatton, Sophie Okonedo, Peter Franzen

Main Genre: Fantasy

Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rating: TV-14

Seasons: 3

'The Wheel of Time' Season 3 May Set Different Storylines in Motion

Image via Prime Video

In The Dragon Reborn: The Stone of Tear, the characters find themselves in a completely different place, despite certain main storylines already in motion. While our beloved characters are currently in Falme, with Rand (Josha Stradowski) being proclaimed as the Dragon Reborn, the journey takes a pivotal turn with the introduction of The Stone of Tear. This significant event brings forth various elements, including the enigmatic sword known as Callandor, which is not just any ordinary sword. Moreover, we are also introduced to the enigmatic beings called the Finn. Callandor, a sa'angreal exclusively reserved for the Dragon Reborn’s use, is yet to make its appearance, which will likely be delayed until later in the series.

The Finn (Aelfinn and Eelfinn) can only be reached through redstone ter'angreal doorframes in the Stone of Tear and Rhuidean, or the Tower of Ghenjei (which has not appeared in the show at this point). It is the Aelfinn who advise Mat (Dónal Finn) to follow Rand to Rhuidean, a location that we know has been confirmed for Season 3. Hopefully, we will see some version of the Finn, as they are a unique element of The Wheel of Time that would distinguish the show from other fantasy series.

The Aiel Waste Will Take Center Stage in 'The Wheel of Time' Season 3

Image via Amazon Studio

Confirming the news, Showrunner Rafe Judkins has revealed that Season 3 will delve deep into Rand's character, specifically exploring his connection with the Aiel people. The upcoming season will feature Rand embarking on a journey into the wasteland to establish his authority as the Car'a'carn. Following the guidance of the Aelfinn, Mat accompanies Rand, Egwene (played by Madeleine Madden) ventures there to develop her dreamwalking abilities, and reluctantly, Aviendha (portrayed by Ayoola Smart) takes her first steps towards becoming a Wise One. Their ultimate destination is the long-abandoned city of Rhuidean, where Rand must prove himself as the prophesied leader of the Aiel. However, a confrontation looms as another Aiel has also proclaimed to be their messiah.

Egwene and Mat's secondary storylines take center stage in this section. Egwene, in particular, delves deeper into her dreamwalking abilities as she learns from the Aiel Wise Ones. This experience offers a sharp contrast to her time spent learning to channel in the White Tower, resulting in a greater focus on Tel'aran'rhiod and its intricate lore. In Season 2, we caught a glimpse of Egwene's dreams, especially when Rand is taken to see her by Lanfear after she has been captured by the Seanchan. On the other hand, Mat's encounter with the Eelfinn sheds light on his character and ties up some of the foreshadowing from Season 2.

We're Likely Headed Back to the Two Rivers in 'The Wheel of Time' Season 3

Image via Prime Video

In the upcoming season, the Two Rivers takes center stage as a major storyline. Following Perrin's Season 2 finale encounter where he inadvertently kills Dain Bornhald's father (Jay Duffy), it seems that Dain will seek revenge by targeting Perrin's home. However, Whitecloaks are not the only concern for Perrin. The malevolent forces of the Shadow, represented by an army of trollocs, also reappear in the Two Rivers. To protect their beloved home from being forever lost, Perrin must step up as a leader and rally the people of the Two Rivers to fight back.

The White Tower May Be Fractured in 'The Wheel of Time' Season 3

Image via Prime Video

In The Shadow Rising, the White Tower experiences division. Following the arrival of the Amyrlin Seat (Sophie Okonedo) in Cairhien towards the end of Season 2, significant changes occur within the Aes Sedai. Verin (Meera Syal) skillfully persuades Leane (Jennifer Cheon Garcia) to transfer the shield on Rand to her, ultimately freeing him. Could Siuan's failure to capture the Dragon Reborn lead to her downfall? It would not come as a surprise if there were a plot against her. This is especially significant considering Judkins has confirmed that Elaida (no official casting as of now), a beloved character among fans, will appear in the show. And let us not forget about the Black Ajah, the Darkfriend Aes Sedai who infiltrate the White Tower itself. Among their numerous members is Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) — who previously threatened Leane that if the Amyrlin Seat were to be overthrown, she too would face consequences.

Tanchico and the Sea Folk Will Also Appear in 'The Wheel of Time' Season 3

Image via Prime Video

According to Judkins, Season 3 of The Wheel of Time will introduce Tanchico and the Sea Folk. The Sea Folk play a significant role in the story of Nynaeve (Zoë Robins) and Elayne (Ceara Coveney), being the driving force behind their arrival in Tanchico. As a largely Black culture in this world, the Sea Folk bring a unique and captivating perspective, adding to the representation in the show. Traveling the seas, they possess a distinct culture and their own channelers known as Windfinders, who assist in navigating and propelling their ships. They maintain a cautious attitude towards the Aes Sedai. Interestingly, they also refer to the Dragon Reborn as Coramoor. In the Tanchico storyline, Nynaeve and Elayne will confront the scheming of the Black Ajah.

The Shadow Rising is highly regarded by fans as the book that marks the point at which the series truly establishes itself as The Wheel of Time. It goes beyond traditional fantasy archetypes, which the earlier books were frequently compared to, specifically Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Although Amazon has ordered only eight episodes for Season 3 (hopefully they will eventually do 10-episode seasons), the show has already demonstrated that it can achieve a lot. It is important to note that this 15-book series cannot be fully adapted and some elements will therefore be condensed and modified, as we have seen in the previous two seasons. Nevertheless, The Wheel of Time Season 3 is bound to be even grander and more impressive than what we have witnessed thus far.

Prime Video offers streaming of The Wheel of Time in the U.S.

Watch on Prime Video

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of "The Wheel of Time" book series, I am thrilled about the upcoming third season of the TV adaptation. The show has done an excellent job of bringing Robert Jordan's expansive and intricate world to life, and I can't wait to see how the story continues to unfold.

One of the things I'm most excited about is the introduction of the Aiel Waste. This harsh and unforgiving environment is home to the Aiel people, who are a proud and warrior-like culture. I'm eager to see how the showrunners will bring the Aiel to life and how they will interact with the other characters.

Another aspect of the story that I'm looking forward to seeing is the development of Rand's character. In the books, Rand is a complex and conflicted character who struggles with his destiny as the Dragon Reborn. I'm excited to see how the show will explore Rand's inner turmoil and how he will ultimately come to terms with his role in the world.

Overall, I have high hopes for the third season of "The Wheel of Time." The show has a lot of potential, and I'm confident that the showrunners will continue to do justice to Robert Jordan's beloved series.