In a recent interview, stars Rosamund Pike and Josha Stradowski explain they are keen to make sure they complete the story of The Wheel of Time. As you may be aware, The Wheel of Time is a 14 book series, in fact it’s probably the longest continuous story I’ve ever read. There absolutely will not be 14 Seasons worth of TV series. However, even with a reduced length I’m sure most fans, (plus as we can see the cast themselves) are hoping to get to complete the full story. For now we have 2 seasons in the bag and the third is already filming now.
Therefore if Season 2 and Season 3 are as successful, or more than Season 1, there’s a good chance the story will be finished. The original plan was for 8 Seasons, though we can’t say if that has changed since Season 1.
Speaking with Looper recently were the show’s two main stars Rosamund Pike (Moiraine) and Josha Stradowski (Rand). It should be noted that this interview was conducted prior to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Although, far as I know The Wheel of Time is an Equity (British actors union) production, and actors employed under that union are not currently on strike. I could be wrong on that one, however I think Season 3 is still filming?
Finishing the Story
Here is what Pike and Stradowski had to say when asked what it felt like to be back on set?
“Amazing, right?” Said Josha
Pike added, “To be in a hit show is a good feeling all around. It means the fans have voted in our favor. The audiences have come to the show, they’ve come to the platform. It would’ve been awful if we’d screwed it up because it’s such a mighty world that [author] Robert Jordan created.”
“I want this show to be a library show for Amazon and be something that’s rewatched in 20 years time, not just for now. I feel we have a duty to get to the end of the story. It feels really good to be announcing Season 2 and shooting Season 3 as we do so. Good places. Good times.”
Of course getting to the end of the story requires the show to remain successful. Season 1 went well, in terms of an audience. However, I did feel there were a few issues in the narrative which I hope are teased out and resolved in Season 2 and beyond.
As said above, Season 3 is already filming, and Stradowski commented on what it is like to be back on set?
“I just came from set … and tomorrow, I’ll be on set again. It’s amazing to see how the show is finding its form. It does feel like, just as in the books, it’s something that lives and it’s growing. We can now lean onto each other as actors, but also with the writers and the showrunner Rafe [Judkins]. That’s a lot of fun. In the first season, we established the stuff and now we can be a bit more funky and get into it, and that’s great.”
Guest Stars
Season 2 and 3 also has it’s fair share of guest stars. You know what we mean, bigger actors who are not part of the main cast, but come in for a storyline, or a few scenes. Pike and Stradowski talked about how cool that was. However, they were both careful to not list any names that may be a surprise.
“We’re getting a few. One of my dreams actually appeared in Season 2, which was Lindsay Duncan, who is one of our classiest British actresses.” said Pike. “She comes into it in a very interesting way in Season 2. We’ve got some really great villains. We’ve got fantastic opportunities for people to come in and have a lot of fun. That’s what our guest stars feel. I can’t really be specific, sorry, but our guest stars feel it. They come in, they’re given really meaty roles. They’re given some of the best lines. Sometimes, we’re envious of the guest stars’ lines, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, sometimes I’m jealous. They go in and out.” added Stradowski.
“And they get fantastic costumes. What’s not to love about that?” Pike continued. “I was just working with Sophie Okonedo again, and she’d just come from playing Medea in the West End. She said, “I love this show. I have the best time.”
Just to point out Okonedo is not a guest star and has a regular series role, probably for many seasons depending on adaptation changes. Now watch as the show kills her off in Season 2 after I’ve said that.
RELATED: New Character Posters For The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Hint At Narrative Pairings
Look, as a fan, I also want to see the story get finished. Unfinished adaptations are so annoying. Yet invariably they happen due to the adaptation not quite working. Alternatively the only audience who picks it up are the core fans (rarely happy) and the new audience just doesn’t turn up, good or not. I think it’s fair to say The Wheel of Time captured that new audience. However, the show also skirted with annoying the fans with changes. Some fans hated it, some liked it, and then some were on the fence because there was good and bad. That’s where I sit.
What do you think of their comments as Rosamund Pike and Josha Stradowski explain they are keen to make sure they complete the story of The Wheel of Time. Would you like to see it finished, or would you rather they just stopped after Season 3 because you dislike the adaptation? Let us know below as always.
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