Fans of Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time are currently all awaiting news of when season 2 might air. But, in the meantime, preparations for season 3 of the show (greenlit back in in July) have been quietly underway. Read on for everything we’ve learned about season 3 so far.
Writers’ Room
During San Diego Comic Con 2022, showrunner and executive producer Rafe Judkins revealed that he and staff writer Rammy Park would be relocating soon to London for the season 3 writers’ room. Since then, we have been able to learn the identity of some of the other season 3 writers.
Returning writers include season 2 executive producers Amanda Kate Shuman and Justine Juel Gillmer, season 2 co-executive producer Dave Hill, and season 2 staff writers Katherine B McKenna and the aforementioned Rammy Park.
Joining the writers’ room for season 3 are Ajoke Ibironke (Doctor Who: Redacted), Beverly Okhio (Them), and Isabella Whiteman (script coordinator for House of the Dragon and The Nevers). Maximillian Fisher is the writers’ room assistant. We believe there is at least one more member of the season 3 writers’ room, but we have not yet been able to identify them.
Book consultant Sarah Nakamura has also relocated to London to consult during the writing of season 3.
Filming Locations
Considering the reduced rate of the Czech Film Commission incentive rebate, and the multimillion pound deal struck by Amazon Studios to utilize Shepperton Studios as a filming hub in the United Kingdom, it was unclear for a time whether or not production of season 3 would be returning to the Czech Republic. However, in a November tweet, Judkins revealed that he had been in Prague prepping for the next season.
I wasn’t sure Twitter was still happening. But I will answer all of these this weekend. Sorry for the delay. If it makes you feel any better I was back in Prague for start of prep on S3! 🙂
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) November 11, 2022
As we previously reported, The Wheel of Time has set up its own studio space outside of Prague, fittingly dubbed Jordan Studios. Utilizing an old truck factory, the studios has multiple soundstages as well as a backlot. Additionally, another soundstage in nearby Třeboradice was home to the Hall of the Tower set in season 1, and the backlot at Barrandov Studios was utilized for filming of season 2. It is likely that at least some of season 3 filming will return to both Jordan Studios and Barrandov Studios.
Both season 1 and 2 of The Wheel of Time also filmed outside of the Czech Republic. Season 1 filming took cast and crew to Slovenia, Croatia, and Spain. Season 2 filming brought the show to Italy and also to Morocco. While it is unknown what other countries season 3 might film in, a recent report revealed that the Moroccan film rebate has increased from 20% to 30% in 2023, and the rebate cap has been removed. Kasbah Films, the Moroccan line production company for season 2, said that if The Wheel of Time returned to film future seasons “they will have access to much more money.” This seems like a juicy incentive for the production to return in season 3 and beyond — perhaps for the Aiel Waste?
Start of Production
Our best estimate for when filming for season 3 will begin is early 2023, possibly March.
Per a cast biography for actor Ayoola Smart (Aviendha), Bush Theatre revealed that “Filming for series three (of The Wheel of Time) will begin in early 2023.” Smart has been cast in Bush Theatre’s production of Paradise Now, running from December 2, 2022 – January 21, 2023.
Back in September, Davina Lamont, lead Makeup & Hair Designer for season 2, put out a call for experienced hair and makeup crew to work on a large television series starting in March 2023. It has not yet been confirmed whether or not Lamont will return for season 3 of The Wheel of Time, but a March 2023 production start date would fall within “early 2023.”
Additionally, some of the costume crew from season 2 have been spotted returning to Prague. As the costume department needs time to cut and sew all the costumes needed before filming can even begin, a March 2023 start of production would allow a few months of preparation. However, as with Davina Lamont, it is currently unconfirmed that the costume crew will be returning to work on season 3 of The Wheel of Time, so we are interpreting this information with caution.
Returning Cast
Nothing has been confirmed at this time, but based off of our knowledge of the books, it’s probably safe to assume that the following season 2 leads and recurring cast will return for season 3: Rosamund Pike (Moiraine Damodred), Daniel Henney (Lan Mandragoran), Josha Stradowski (Rand al’Thor), Marcus Rutherford (Perrin Aybara), Dónal Finn (Mat Cauthon), Madeleine Madden (Egwene al’Vere), Zoë Robins (Nynaeve al’Meara), Kae Alexander (Min Farshaw), Ceara Coveney (Elayne Trakand), Hammed Animashaun (Loial), Ayoola Smart (Aviendha), Priyanka Bose (Alanna Mosvani), Emmanuel Imani (Ihvon), Taylor Napier (Maksim), Natasha O’Keeffe (unknown role), and Meera Syal (unknown role).
Additionally, we anticipate that the following actors from season 1 may return: Michael McElhatton (Tam al’Thor), Lolita Chakrabarti (Marin al’Vere), Michael Tuahine (Bran al’Vere), Juliet Howland (Natti Cauthon), Christopher Scuiref (Abel Cauthon), Maria Doyle Kennedy (Ila), Narinder Samra (Raen), and Daryl McCormack (Aram). It was previously reported in a 2021 interview with Lolita Chakrabarti that her role would become a larger one when the series reached its third season. We can anticipate that many of these actors from season 1 would similarly have more prominent roles compared to the first season.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, of course. As the television series is an adaptation of 14 main books, some characters may not have the same screen presence as in the books. Additionally, there is always the possibility that casting may change as the schedule of returning actors may conflict with the season 3 filming schedule.
As previously reported, the story of season 3 is expected to adapt much of the fourth book in the series, The Shadow Rising.
Season 2 News
Finally, there is some additional information that might give us hints about the release of season 2. As recently as November 18th, one of the VFX companies put out a call for jobs, citing season 2 of The Wheel of Time specifically as one of the projects they’re currently working on. Given this, it’s safe to say that the second season is still in the process of post-production.
Earlier in November, it was also announced by Prime video that the long awaited second season of fantasy series Carnival Row would premiere on February 17, 2023 with two episodes. Two more episodes will be released each week, ending with the series finale on March 17, 2023.
It would make sense for Prime Video to not want their fantasy shows to overlap, so we can guess that season 2 of The Wheel of Time will release no sooner than March 24, 2023. The second season of Good Omens is scheduled for a Summer 2023 release, though a specific date has yet to be announced. This puts late-March through May 2023 as a plausible release window for The Wheel of Time, season 2. This is only conjecture at this time, however. In the meantime, we all anxiously await official word from Prime Video.
Do you have any additional theories on the timing of upcoming seasons? Let us know in the comments!
Lover of fantasy and other geeky goodness.
Any word on Thom (Alexandre Willaume) returning?
What do you mean? The Fade killed him, Thom is dead…
Thom can channel himself but he hides it to avoid The Children of the Light. He disguises himself in other ways as well. Maybe he will wake up from the Fade trance and become the bard you are all eagerly awaiting after all.
Megan