We are excited to report that award-winning actor Shohreh Aghdashloo was spotted among the cast on a Wheel of Time set in the Czech Republic. WotSeries confirmed with multiple sources that Aghdashloo was on set for season 3 filming that took place in late May at the Vranov nad Dyjí Castle. The actor was also recently spotted in Prague by a fan of the series.
Shohreh is no stranger to The Wheel of Time fandom. When it comes to consensus in fan-casting choices, Shohreh as Aes Sedai Cadsuane Melaidhrin has near-universal approval across many Wheel of Time online communities. So much so that it actually led to interactions between the actor and showrunner Rafe Judkins after season 1 aired.
Girl, I’m in. I don’t know how to use Twitter but if I did I would DM you. You’ve been on my mood board for a certain character since 2018 haha.
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) December 19, 2021
Shohreh Aghdashloo
Shohreh is an Iranian and American actor who began her career in theater before transitioning to film. With a career spanning over four decades, Aghdashloo has gained critical acclaim through memorable performances in both film and television. Her previous work includes roles in movies such as “House of Sand and Fog” which earned her an Oscar nomination. Her television experience includes “The Expanse“, “24” and “House of Saddam“, for which she won an Emmy award.
The actor has periodically interacted with fans the past couple of years, especially in response to repeated suggestions over drafting her to portray Cadsuane.
Vranov nad Dyjí Castle
According to documents uncovered by WotSeries, The Wheel of Time production filmed at the Vranov nad Dyjí Castle on May 22nd of 2023. The show filmed scenes in the ornate Hall of the Ancestors, where the banners of the White Lion were on display, suggesting this is somewhere in Andor, likely the Royal Palace in Caemlyn.
In season 2, we will be introduced to Falme and Cairhien, and we will spend time in Tar Valon as well, making it more likely that season 3 will be our introduction to Caemlyn and the Royal Palace of Andor. The choice of an on-location shoot, however, suggests we may not spend too much time in the palace in season 3. The castle is located more than 200 kilometers from Jordan Studios, in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, making frequent shoots at the location inconvenient.
About The Role
We’ve only recently found out that Meera Syal will play Verin Mathwin. So it is only fitting that when one mystery is solved, another presents itself: which character will Shohreh Aghdashloo portray in season 3? We do not have all of the facts, but the facts we do have, few as they may be, can be instructive for the purpose of speculation. The character is present in an apparent palace somewhere in Andor, likely Caemlyn, and will appear in the first two episodes of the third season. All else is conjecture. While the most popular choice may be Cadsuane, this would mean the character is appearing much sooner in the TV show than in the books. A New Spring prequel aside, we first meet Cadsuane in A Crown of Swords, the seventh book in the series. According to previous comments by Rafe Judkins, Season 3 of the show will primarily cover storylines from the fourth book, The Shadow Rising.
Another possibility to consider would be Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan, a Red Aes Sedai and advisor to Queen Morgase of Andor. Being on Rafe’s “mood board for a certain character since 2018” makes more sense for Elaida than it does Cadsuane. We should also consider another character: the Lady Dyelin Taravin, High Seat of her house and second in line to the throne after Elayne.
If Shohreh does in fact end up portraying an Aes Sedai, she will be joining an ensemble of accomplished and talented actors who are all portraying leaders among the all-female Aes Sedai organization. With actors such as Rosamund Pike, Sophie Okonedo, Kate Fleetwood, Priaynka Bose, Meera Syal, and Shohreh Aghdashloo herself, one does not have to make a huge leap to believe that these women lead the most powerful group in Randland.
When I saw her on Expanse I knew she would be incredible as Cads’.
Elaida certainly makes more sense than Cadsuane if she is already on set. It’s a bit early for Cadsuane to enter in season 3 isn’t it? I’m not even sure what role Cadsuane would have to play unless Rosamund Pike is absent.
I still hope it’s Cadsuane, because she told that she met Logain, even if we didn’t meet her, so there maybe some scenes outside of the book scenes. I fount out through WoT Up!
Another thing to consider is that tv often has to pull characters out of their book timeline to move the story or set things up for later. For instance, Shohreh’s Avasarala is all over season one of The Expanse despite not showing up until later in the books.
I am a fan of Shohreh, but do not consider her a good choice for Cadsuane. I don’t understand the fanbase in this. Cadsuane is a road warrior, refused a Sitter’s seat, refused Green Ajah leadership, and ran away when talk of her becoming Amrylin started. That doesn’t describe any character I picture Shohreh playing.
She’s a Shoh-in for Lini.
I agree with John from WOTup that she will be Elaida. I think she would be an amazing Elaida! Whatever role they have her in she will kill it. So excited for her to be a part of WOT!!
I think she will be Cadsuane. Perhaps showing up earlier in the TV series will mean she will merge with another character featured earlier in the books and take up some of their role. It happens all the time.
I have a left field reason for thinking she is playing Elaida. I was just listening to TDR audiobook that Rosamund Pike has narrated. She tends to use the voices of the actors from the show for those characters we have seen so far. However, when she speaks as Elaida, she sounds very much like Shohreh.