Has fantasy epic Game of Thrones finally met its match? Amazon boss Jeff Bezos certainly thinks so with his company’s new series.
The Wheel of Time has it all – dramatic Lord of The Rings-style scenery, special effects and, refreshingly, more male than female nudity for once. But at a rumoured cost of £7.4million an episode, there’s a lot – mainly money – riding on it being a big hit. The main star is British actress Rosamund Pike, perhaps best known for Gone Girl and playing Bond girl Miranda Frost in Die Another Day.
Amazon Prime Video is so confident we will love the eight-part blockbuster that it has already started filming a second season, with comedian Meera Syal and Peaky Blinders star Natasha O’Keeffe among the cast. Alongside Pike in the series, based on Robert Jordan’s novels, are many lesser-known actors and there are stories to untangle. So what’s it all about?
The Setting
Welcome to a sprawling land overseen by the magical ladies of an all-powerful, all-female organisation – Aes Sedai (yes, there’s a lot of terminology to wrap your head around). They channel something called the “One Power” to keep the peace.
Men once had the power too, until – after being led by someone known only as The Dragon – they ruined everything. Now the few magical men left don’t have much clout, would rather have a beer, and some are even put to death by the sisterhood.
The story centres around the Aes Sedai’s bewitching Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike). She arrives in a small town called the Two Rivers. She and her wing man and protector Lan Mandragoran are looking for the reincarnation of The Dragon.
It’s here that she quickly identifies five villagers who she most likely suspects could be the Dragon Reborn – so important that they will either save or destroy humanity.
Two Rivers comes under attack from some really grotesque half-human half-beasts called Trollocs. There’s much bloodshed.
Moiraine escapes, using her swirling white magic. She takes her chosen five with her, along with some horses, and off they trot to save their fantasy world.
When did it launch?
The first three episodes streamed on November 19, with one now dropping on Amazon Prime Video every week.
The first series ends on Christmas Eve. Executive producer Marigo Kehoe said the last part will involve the greatest amount of visual effects.
But she admitted filming the final scenes had not gone quite to plan. She says: “We had a covid shutdown twice during the last block of filming. We’d planned to shoot in the Canary Islands but because of the pandemic we couldn’t. So instead we shot in a quarry in Prague, and the visual effects team had to make it look like The Canaries – the biggest challenge. That episode was definitely the most exciting though.”
Where was it filmed?
About 600 cast and crew were based in the Czech Republic at a specially constructed studio. Production was supposed to take nine months, but due to Covid filming dragged on for two years.
Most scenes were shot in the Czech capital Prague but some in Slovenia and Dubrovnik in Croatia.
To keep morale high, the cast had a special WhatsApp activity group and took part in adrenaline sports when they were not on call.
Upcoming star Josha Stradowski, set to be one of the show’s biggest heartthrobs as Rand al’ Thor, says: “Rosamund came go-karting once. Some of the group went sky-diving. Quite a few went wakeboarding. We were there for quite a while so we had to have fun.”
Where did they idea come from?
A best-selling, 14-book fantasy series, plus a prequel, by an American author who went under the pen name Robert Jordan. His actual name was James Oliver Rigney Jr – a former Vietnam War helicopter gunner who won medals for bravery. Tragically, he died of a heart condition, aged 58.
Show insiders said that Robert’s widow Harriet McDougal, 82, went to Prague at the start of filming to give the series her blessing.
Author Brandon Sanderson finished the final three books after Jordan’s death. The series has sold more than 90 million copies, making it one of the best-selling epic fantasy series since The Lord of the Rings.
They are tales of good and evil, brimming with magic, prophecies and wars, spanning from the dawn of time to a distant future Earth. The first book, The Eye of the World, came out in 1990. Six years ago a pilot of one of the books, starring Billy Zane, aired on a cable network. A year later Sony Pictures took it on. It has since been adapted for TV, and co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television.
Who's who?
● Moiraine Damodred, played by Rosamund Pike
Rosamund, 42, is the beating heart of the series. She is a legendary, mighty warrior. She has the miraculous power to channel the “One Power” which is the source of all magic in this mystical universe.
She is set on finding the Dragon Reborn, believed to be humanity’s saviour. In battle scenes, you see her power circling around her as she uses it to fight the enemy. Pike’s co-star Daniel Henney told the Sunday People she enlisted the help of a movement coach from London to perfect the choreography and hand gestures needed for the role.
● Lan Mandragoran, played by Daniel Henney
American Daniel, 41, starred in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and was a regular cast member in the series Criminal Minds.
His character Lan is a warder, bodyguard and protector of Moiraine.
● Rand Al’Thor, played by Josha Stradowski
Watch out, there’s a new heartthrob in town. Dutch actor and former model Josha, 26, enjoys the first kiss of the series as things get steamy with Egwene. He plays farmer and shepherd Rand – perhaps they should have named him Randy instead – from the Two Rivers. He’s also friends with Perrin and Lan.
● Egwene Al’Vere, played by Madeleine Madden
The Australian actress, 24, plays a determined apprentice and appears to be more than just friends with brooding Rand.
● Perrin Aybara, played by Marcus Rutherford
Also known as Perrin Goldeneyes and Young Bull, the little-known 26-year-old actor is one of the main characters. Perrin was originally a blacksmith’s apprentice from the Two Rivers.
● Nynaeve Al’Meara, played by Zoe Robins
The New Zealander, 28, plays the “Wisdom” of the village of Emond’s Field, who advises the village council.
● Matrim Cauthon, played by Barney Harris
Barney, 24, plays the young farmer from the Two Rivers.
Our verdict: 3/5
There’s already a captive audience out there because the books have such a strong fan base. The scenery is jaw-droppingly spectacular and it has gathered pace by episode two. But it takes a long time for the first episode to warm up.
You really have to be invested in the characters, or at least Rosamund Pike’s, to stick with it. I’m not sure I was.