While fans are eagerly awaiting the premiere of Amazon’s The Wheel of Time show, the second season has quietly undergone three months of production. Season 2 was greenlit shortly after filming wrapped up on the first eight episodes, and work is already well underway. And there are already some big shakeups expected. Let’s talk about it.
Season 2 has been in the works for a while. In November of 2019, showrunner Rafe Judkins tweeted a picture of the season 2 writers’ room. Months later in April of 2020, he stated at Jordan CONline that his team would “have all eight scripts going into prep for season 2.”
In a weird way, the pandemic helped the writers room since it delayed production long enough for them to polish up some of the scripts. “Getting a second season order before the first season has even premiered is such a vote of confidence in the work we are doing and the property itself,” Judkins said after the news.
Who is making The Wheel of Time season 2?
Filming on The Wheel of Time season 2 is underway. Writer Amanda Kate Shuman penned the first of the eight new episodes, titled “A Taste of Solitude.” The episode shares the same title as a chapter from Lord of Chaos, the sixth book in Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy series. Thomas Napper and Sanaa Hamri have been confirmed to be directing episodes next season as well.
Judkins suggested that the Aiel will play a larger role in season 2. For the unaware, the Aiel are a hardy people who live in the dry, desert lands of the Waste.
Newcomers in The Wheel of Time season 2
According to reports, newcomer Ceara Coveney will join in the second season as a series regular. She’ll be portraying Elayne Trakand, the heir to the throne of Andor. She appears briefly in the first book but will seemingly be absent from season 1.
Natasha O’Keeffe and Meera Syal will also join the series in unknown series-regular roles. The fan consensus is that the two actors will play Lanfear and Verin, respectively.
This makes the most sense because, at New York Comic Con, Judkins hinted they would be playing two of the most important characters in the entire series. Lanfear and Verin are reoccurring characters who make their first appearance in the second book of the series, so it matches up.
Mat recast in The Wheel of Time season 2
A shocking turn is that Barney Harris, who will play Matrim Cauthon in the first season, will be replaced by actor Dónal Finn in the second. The reason for the recasting is still unknown, but it will certainly impact the series.
With all the filming delays over the last two years, there’s still speculation as to whether November will become official premiere month for Wheel of Time annually. Amazon’s other epic fantasy production, its Lord of the Rings prequel series, will release on September 2, 2022.
It’s difficult to imagine Amazon will want their massive fantasy shows to release so close together, but who knows? It’d make more sense if the company spaced out the two shows throughout the year, or even to delay the premiere of The Wheel of Time season 2 to 2023.
That’s all the news for Season 2 so far, but be on the lookout for more production news and casting announcements in the future.
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