The Wheel of Time season 2: release date, trailer, cast, plot, and more
The Wheel of Time season 2 is out now – here’s what you need to know about it
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- Launched on Prime Video on September 1- First three episodes arrived on release day- Official trailer released in late July- Key cast members all returning- Four new characters announced at JordanCon 2023- Other cast and plot details revealed in mid-May- Season 2 storylines teased by cast and crew- Filming reportedly underway on season 3, but halted due to the writers and actors' strikes
The Wheel of Timeseason 2 is here. The hit high fantasy series has now returned to our screens but if you’ve not watched it yet you’ll want to catch up on all of the key details about it.
First, you’ll want to read ourreview ofThe Wheel of Time’s second season. Then, check out our exclusive season 2 chat withThe Wheel of Time’s cast, who reveal how theyexplored themes of loneliness and alienation in a fantasy setting. Once you’ve done that, you’re free to continue reading our season 2 guide on one of thebest Prime Video shows.
So, what important information will you find below? We’re glad you asked. We detail thePrime Videoshow’s official release date and episode schedule, discuss its potential plot points, reveal its full cast list and trailers, and so much more.
Major spoilers followforThe Wheel of Timeseason 1on one of the world’sbest streaming services.Potential spoilersforThe Wheel of Timeseason 2 and Robert Jordan’s high fantasy book series, which the show is based on, are also on the way.
The Wheel of Time season 2 release date
The great hunt begins September 1. #TheWheelOfTime pic.twitter.com/b3eMLfM6clMay 24, 2023
The Wheel of Timeseason 2arrived on Prime Video on Friday, September 1.AmazonStudios confirmed the second season’s launch date in mid-May. We previously speculated that it would arrive in August, so we weren’t far off with our guess.
Here’s the complete episode release schedule for the series' sophomore season, too:
The Wheel of Time season 2 trailer
The Wheel of Timeseason 2’s official trailer was released on July 19 – and, just like its predecessor, this seasonlooks like it’s the epic fantasy show we’ve been waiting for.
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There’s plenty to unpack from the second season’s main teaser. In fact, there’s so much going on that it would be difficult to sum it all up here. In short: watch the trailer above, and then read our cast and plot sections for more details. Oh, and don’t forget to watchThe Wheel of Timeseason 2’s dramatic opening clip, which debuted ahead of its September 1 launch.
Missed season 2’s first teaser earlier this year? Watch it below:
Finally, if you need a recap of everything that happened in season 1, Prime Video has you covered:
The Wheel of Time season 2 cast
Here’s theThe Wheel of Timeseason 2’s confirmed cast so far:
Nine of the first 10 actors reprise their respective roles from season 1. Dónal Finn (Cursed) has replaced Mat Cauthon as Barney Harris. In September 2021, we reportedHarris was no longer partof the cast, but no reason has given for his departure. Finn exclusively told TechRadar viewerswould see an “exciting” and “clear continuation” of the characterthis season.
Alexandre Willaume’s Thom Merrilin previously confirmed he isn’t returning (perThe Mighty Dragon podcast), but one actor who is coming back is Álvaro Morte, who’ll share some scenes with Stradowski’s Rand as revealed byThe Wheel of Time’s X account(formerly known as Twitter). Kate Fleetwood and Kae Alexander are expected to return as Liandrin Guirale and Min Farshaw, too.
Ceara Coveney – in her first major acting role – will portray a hugely significant character in Elayne Trakand. In the novels, Elayne is the eventual Queen of Andor and Cairhien, and one of the most powerful Aes Sedai of all-time.
Meera Syal (Paddington 2,Doctor Who) will play Verin Mathwin, an Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah (perNerdist) who has a big part to play in The Great Hunt. Ayoola Smart (Killing Eve,Cocaine Bear) has been cast as Aviendha, a Wise One from the Nine Valleys sept and one of Rand’s love interests.
Four other cast announcements were also made at JordanCon 2023. PerDeadline, Maja Simonsen (The King’s Man) will portray Chiad, a Maiden of the Spear of the Stones River sept of the Goshien Aiel. She’ll be bonded as a first-sister to Bain, the other half of the fan-favorite sibling duo, who’ll be played by Ragga Ragnars (Vikings).
Jay Duffy (Derry Girls) has been cast as Dain Bornhald, a high-ranking officer of the Children of the Light, aka the Whitecloaks we saw in season 1. Lastly, Rima Te Wiata (Joyride) plays Sheriam Bayanar, an high-ranking Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah.
Potential season 2 cast spoilers follow.
A huge welcome to our Dain, Sheriam, Bain and Chiad! You’re going to love these four in #wheeloftime S2! https://t.co/PvdYpl7S9EApril 23, 2023
Natasha O’Keeffe (Peaky Blinders) has reportedly been cast as Lanfear (perThe Wheel of Timefansite(WoTseries.com)), a secondary antagonist – one of the 13 most powerful Forsaken, no less – in the novels. She hunts for Rand at the Dark One’s request.
The same fan websitesuggests Jessica Boone (Vinland Saga) is portraying Alwhin, the Seanchan spokesperson for the vicious kingdom’s ruler Lady Suroth, who is being played by Karima McAdams (Deep State). Gary Beadle (Andor) is also said to be playing Elyas Machera, a Wolfbrother who notices Perrin has the same ability (perWoTseries.com).
New journeys. New temptations. #WheelOfTime pic.twitter.com/fnxociZ7bIAugust 16, 2023
Elsewhere,Deadlineclaims Guy Roberts (Hanna), Arnas Fedaravicius (The Last Kingdom), and Gregg Chillingirian (A Discovery of Witches) will play supporting roles. Roberts will reportedly portray Uno Nomesta, a one-eyed soldier who served Lord Agelmar before the latter’s death in the season 1 finale. Fedaravicius will play Masema, another of Agelmar’s former charges. Finally, Chillingirian portrays Ingtar Shinowa, a warrior from war-torn lands.
In an interview withThe Press and Journal,Stewart Kenneth Moore (Carnival Row) confirmed he has a bit-part role. Moore refused to reveal his character’s identity, but hinted that he’ll turn up in episode 5 for a “fairly memorable scene.”
Finally,The WitcherfansiteRedandian Intelligenceclaims four other actors have been joined the party, including Laura Crowhurst (The Last Bus) and newcomer Natasha J. Murley.Game of Thrones' Will Tudor will also allegedly play Barthanes Damodred, a relative of Moiraine’s, while Haruka Kuroda (Killing Eve) is set to portray one of Min Farshaw’s aunts.
The Wheel of Time season 2 plot
Spoilers follow for The Wheel of Time season 1.
Here’s the official plot synopsis forThe Wheel of Time season 2: “The Wheel of Timeturns, and the Last Battle approaches. Though Rand thought he destroyed the Dark One, evil is not gone from the world. In season two, threats new and very old seek out the young friends from the Two Rivers, now scattered over the world. The woman who found and guided them is now powerless to help, and so they must find other sources of strength. In each other, or themselves. In the Light … or the Dark.”
For those wanting to know which of Jordan’s books this season draws from, that’ll be novels two and three, aka The Great Hunt and The Dragon Reborn. On the decision to pull from multiple novels, showrunner Rafe Judkins said: “[Audiences] will see that some characters are diving more into their book two story in season 2, and some of them are diving more into their book three story. We have a big round-up point at the end of season 2 that reconnects everything and pushes us off in a new direction where we’ve completed all the stories we need to get through.”
It isn’t over yet - in fact, it’s just a beginning. Check out new images from #TheWheelOfTime S2 now! pic.twitter.com/kliYtVPvrgJune 14, 2023
Rand – aka the Dragon Reborn – has gone into hiding after temporarily defeating The Dark One. The Dragon Reborn is a prophesied, all-powerful channeler of the One Power fated to save or destroy the world. Rand considers himself dangerous to everyone so, in the season 1 finale, he asks Moiraine to tell his friends that he perished while fighting The Dark One so they don’t come looking for him. Josha Stradowski, who plays Rand, says the character’s season 2 arc will be built around redefining his identity (viaThe Wrap).
As for Moiraine, The Dark One destroyed her connection to the Source, which is where Aes Sedai draw the One Power from. Unable to channel her powers, the dynamic of Moiraine and Lan’s relationship will shift significantly and lead Moiraine to return to her hometown of Cairhien.
The duo hardly feature in The Great Hunt, but showrunner Rafe Judkins toldCBR.comthat their upcoming arcs will comprise wholly original content created specifically for the TV adaptation, as “you can’t sideline Rosamund Pike and Daniel Henney in a season of television”. Meanwhile, Egwene and Nynaeve will begin formal training to tap into the One Power after temporarily doing so in the final episode of the first season.
That episode also teased the arrival of the Seanchan – a villainous, seafaring empire that has ambitions on conqueringThe Wheel of Time’s main continent. Asked byColliderhow they’ll make a ahem splash, Judkins said: “Everything’s following this traditional fantasy format coming out of the first book. In the second book, the Seanchan come out of nowhere and slap our characters, so we really wanted to have them function the same way in the show. We get this nod to them at the end of season 1 but, in season 2, the Seanchan arrive and they affect the story.”
Elaborating on their role, Judkins said at New York Comic-Con 2021 (viaSyFy.com): “The Seanchan come in and sideswipe every story in the show. They sideswipe the show as much as they do the books and it’s a really cool storytelling device that Robert Jordan built and I think it’s so special and I’ve been so excited to bring it to the screen.”
There are many other branching narratives and subplots that the second season needs to continue exploring, too. Judkins confirmed toNerdistthat “we’ll certainly see” more of the backstory of Lews Therin, aka the first Dragon, asThe Wheel of Time’s TV adaptation progresses. Judkins also teased the potential introduction of Gawyn and Faile, who are important characters in Egwene and Perrin’s stories, and the possibility of Rand and Min interacting more (perCBR). As for Mat, Judkins revealed he was heading for the White Tower – the Aes Sedai’s stronghold – in the season 1 finale. Expect him to undergo some form of punishment and/or treatment for his possession of the evil ruby-hilted dagger.
We’re also expecting to learn more about Perrin’s Wolfbrother powers and hope our heroes will get the Horn of Valere – a key item in the final battle with The Dark One – back after Padan Fain stole it in the season 1 finale. The love triangle between Moiraine, Lan, and Nynaeve is also set to be examined in more detail (viaInverse).
Additionally, we can expect blood – and lots of it, according to Daniel Henney (viaContentMode). Judkins also toldTVLine: “More characterswilldie in the show than in the books, because we cannot carry a cast of 2,000 actors for seven seasons!” Prepare for your favorite characters to potentially perish at some point, then.
Finally, Judkins took to Twitterto answer fans' season 2 questionsduring some post-production downtime. One key detail confirms the introduction of the Forsaken, i.e. channelers who serve the side of Shadow in the War of Power, of which Lanfear is one. Fans can expect to see more new locations, such as Tear and Falme inThe Wheel of Timeseason 2, as well.
Will The Wheel of Time get more seasons?
The Wheel of Timeseason 2 isn’t the final entry in Amazon’s live-action adaptation. The company’s streaming divisionrenewed it for a third seasonfor mid-2022. According toWoTseries.com, filming has already begun on the show’s next installment, but the actors strike andwriters strikehave halted production.
The Shadow Rising, which season 3 will be based on, is the fourth book in Jordan’s epic fantasy book series. GivenThe Wheel of Timeseason 2 will adapt elements of books one through three, it makes sense that the series' third season will pick things up with book four.
As for future seasons, much will depend on audience interest and if Amazon feels it can fund its two big fantasy properties inThe Wheel of TimeandThe Rings of Power.The latter’s premiere was the biggest Prime Video launch of all-timeso, if only one show is continually greenlit, it’s likely to be itsLord of the Ringsshow, which is already returning forThe Rings of Powerseason 2.
That said, we’d still expect Amazon to renewThe Wheel of Timefor more seasons. Judkins has eight seasons mapped out, so it would be silly for Amazon to cancel the series midway through its run (if a fourth season is also greenlit). Here’s hoping, then, thatThe Wheel of Timecan keep turning on until it reaches its end point.
For more Prime Video TV content, check out everything we know aboutInvincibleseason 2, as well as our picks of thebest Prime Video moviesand all of thenew Prime Video moviescoming to the streamer.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
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