After a long wait, The Wheel of Time season 2 finally has a release date. Entertainment Weekly revealed today that the season will premiere on September 1, 2023. A Prime Video press release describes season 2 as follows:
Based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy series The Wheel of Time, a humble farm boy, Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski, Gran Turismo), learns he is The Dragon Reborn—a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world … or break it. Desperate to protect him from the Dark One, an army of powerful sorceresses must reckon with his burgeoning power and encroaching madness. The Wheel of Time turns, 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.
Several official “First Look” stills were also released with the article. We’ve sorted them by which episodes they are from in order to better delve into how the story might unfold this season.
Episode 1:
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
In episode 1, we see Egwene (Madeleine Madden) washing dishes in the Tower kitchens and a lonely Mat (Dónal Finn), likely also in the Tower based off of a scene shown at New York Comic Con and CCXP in Brazil.
Episode 3:
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
Nynaeve (Zoë Robins) appears to be on the set seen in the JordanCon video that many have speculated is the White Tower testing chamber.
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
Lan (Daniel Henney) rides his horse Mandarb through a forest.
Episode 4:
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) appears to be walking through the foregate of her hometown Cairhien.
Episode 5:
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
The Seanchan photo is interesting. Fares Fares (right) is stated to be The Dark One in Entertainment Weekly’s article. He accompanies two women who we believe are Karima McAdams (middle), likely as Suroth, and Jessica Boone (left). Loial (Hammed Animashaun) is visible behind them, wearing the same clothing as another person in their retinue, possibly a servant.
Episode 8:
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
Photo credit: Jan Thijs
Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) and Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) appear poised to fight. Behind them, Masema (Arnas Fedaravicius) appears to be wearing Seanchan armor.
Finally, Rand (Josha Stradowski), sword hilt visible above his shoulder confronts someone in a Seanchan occupied town, likely Falme.
We’re excited to see the work of season 2 costume designer Sharon Gilham and hair and prosthetics designer Davina Lamont, particularly with the look of the Seanchan!
Based off of past trailer drops, we can likely expect a teaser trailer within the next month. What do you think of the first look? Let us know!
So amazing! Love it!
Could not be more excited a soooo many questions!
Should say “Loosely Based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy series The Wheel of Time”
Is it possible that it’s actually not Loial but a Seanchan Gardener? We haven’t seen other Ogiers yet afterall. Unless of course the actor is actually identified, then I have nothing to say.
Overall, it’s just soooooooo exciting!!!
He does look like Hammed Animashaun to me, but I could be totally wrong. Seanchan Gardener isn’t outside the realm of possibility!
Seanchan Gardener would be in armor though, yes? I think it’s Loial which hopefully gives him a more complex character arc. I’m exited.
Why are they still calling this series wheel of time lmao. They changed pretty much the vast majority of the story to fit their vision stop ruining Jordans name by calling it wheel of time
And some people still can’t get a life a year and a half after the series premiered 😀
I agree with James. This stopped being wheel of time and Jordans work after a few episodes first season
It’s not Jordan’s books. It’s like the first time they tried to make Dune. It was an utter failure because they didn’t understand the story. It’s the same here. I get it though they are trying to turn all fourteen books into one vision. In my opinion that wasn’t they way to go.
I’m super excited for this season and am really looking forward to all the great tidbits you all dig up!
Can we just please stop casting models and start casting people that actually look like they exist in every day settings? That’s what helped make LOTR and Game of Thrones so believable.
Looks like Ishmael with Suroth
This Forsaken is called Ishamael, not Ishmael.
For those people showing hate for the show, why are you even here? If you don’t like the show then find something else to do in life. As I will be if I don’t see some changes for S2, but I never expected a page by page re-telling of James Rigneys work.
Wheel of Time show is great. Hoping for some improvements though. Jordan’s book series is still the best fantasy I’ve ever read. Keep up the good work.
Love the series and the books hate the haters and can’t wait for September 1. I know the first season had issues, I understand what covid did and losing Barney . However I DO BELIEVE SEASON TWO WILL BE EXCELLENT. I wish the haters would continue to love the books and their fellow haters and keep their smears to themselves. It doesn’t do anyone any good. They have their group stay in that circle and leave the rest to enjoy BOTH .