Wheel of Time’s Rosamund Pike and Josha Stradowski on Season 3’s Sky-High Stakes

Amazon’s The Wheel of Time, an adaptation of Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy books, returns in just a few weeks to continue its story in season three. Rosamund Pike and Josha Stradowski play the show’s two main characters: Moiraine Damodred, an exiled member of the powerful magic sisterhood Aes Sedai; and Rand al’Thor, who’s still coming to grips with his own magic power, as well as his identity as the Dragon Reborn, fated to face the Dark One—and determine the future of the world itself—in the impending Last Battle.

Moiraine and Rand have a lot on their plates, both individually and as a team that’s finally been reunited after season two’s many roadblocks, including Moiraine’s loss of her connection to the One Power, which Rand helped her restore, and Rand’s entanglement with Lanfear, a Forsaken who’s taken a decidedly unhealthy interest in him. At a recent Wheel of Time press day, io9 got a chance to ask Pike and Stradowski about what their characters will face this season.

Cheryl Eddy, io9: Rand has grown up a lot since we first met him in season one, but he still has a lot to learn. Rosamund, how do you think Moiraine’s perception of him has changed as season three begins? And Josha, do you think Rand still sees Moiraine as that mentor and guide she once was?

Rosamund Pike: Moiraine is in a difficult position because she still wants to exert influence over Rand. Her mission is to guide him and prepare him for the Last Battle. That’s the mission she’s been given, and she doesn’t waver. She’s steadfast and obstinate in that way. But she also needs him to become the man he needs to be. So as he starts to defy her and obstruct her wishes, it’s an inconvenience, but it’s also the signs that he’s showing the mettle that he needs to show. It’s a kind of double-edged sword. 

So she’s having to be more cunning, and she goes for a completely different tactic, one that none of us are expecting, because she co-opts Lanfear to actually help her separate him from his past and the friends from the Two Rivers, which is a dangerous game to play. So we think, my goodness, is Moiraine playing a game that’s now too dangerous? And as we see, it nearly goes very, very wrong at the end of episode one. 

Josha Stradowski: There’s a lot Rand still needs to learn. And it’s different this season [because] he has learned a lot; he knows more also where he needs to go. But there is still a lot that he doesn’t know and he’s still very, very afraid. 

Pike: But they gain a new trust, which is far deeper in this season than anything we’ve ever seen. There is something just profound, I think, that develops between them over the course of the season, which has been lovely to explore.

io9: As we’ve been told over and over, men who channel will eventually go mad, but Rand must channel if he’s to fulfill his destiny. What’s that internal conflict like for him as we head into season three?

Pike: It’s such an important question. And you’re right, you know that information because we’ve hit people over the head with it. 

Stradowski: You know that [channeling is dangerous for men]. But [much like] the prophecies can unfold in different ways—the Manetherans say he’s going to either save or destroy the world, the Aiel say, he’s going to save and destroy, he brings creation and destruction—I think the same is true for madness. Yes, the One Power’s tainted by the Dark One, but the danger doesn’t only lie in that. It’s also that this human being, this shepherd, is the most powerful channeler in the world. And what happens if you take someone away from him that he cares about, who he loves? Or what happens if you push him in a certain direction that he doesn’t want to be pushed into? That’s also when that danger and madness comes out. So what that danger and madness really means is what we still have to see.

io9: Moiriaine’s relationship with the Aes Sedai was pretty fraught last season, as well as with its leader, Siuan Sanche—with whom she has this romantic history. How do you think she’s feeling now that the power structure is in such violent turmoil?

Pike: The seat of what’s considered power and protection is crumbling. The White Tower is dividing into factions. There’s basically a mutiny within the White Tower. And it’s a highly dangerous situation because if you have the most powerful woman in the world in a state of civil war, then untold horrors are about to be unleashed on the world. And Moiraine is powerless to help.

She knows that Siuan’s support is crumbling. Within the Tower, we see the return of a leader who was an arch enemy of Siuan and the person who was the other candidate when Siuan was elected to the Amyrlin Seat—she’s back in pole position and causing havoc again. And Moiraine is obviously exiled and powerless to help. So it’s very conflicting. And Moiraine has lost—she’s basically lost the great love of her life, her Siuan. You’ve got two very proud women who have had a separation and are missing each other desperately, but are too proud to reunite.

The Wheel of Time returns for season three March 13 on Prime Video. The first three episodes will release together, with a weekly drop to follow until April 17.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.