It is finally official. Emmy award-winning actor Shohreh Aghdashloo will play Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan in season 3 of The Wheel of Time, which will air on March 13th of 2025. When it comes to Aghdashloo and the Wheel of Time, it has been quite the journey. What started as a universally-accepted fan casting of the Shohreh Aghdashloo as famed Aes Sedai “Cadsuane Melaidhrin”, ignited an online campaign that resulted in public interactions between showrunner Rafe Judkins and the actor.
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
Fast forward to May 2023, when WotSeries reported exclusively on the actor being spotted on the Caemlyn set for season 3. Although the fans got what they wanted in Aghdashloo being cast in The Wheel of Time, it wasn’t for the role everyone expected, since in September of 2023 exclusive reporting from WotUp revealed that Aghdashloo will portray Elaida.
Meet Elaida
The official press release from the show offers a preview of the character that is far too familiar to fans of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time Series:
Elaida is a ruthlessly powerful Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, as proficient in politicking as she is in channeling. She has a deep history with Moiraine (Pike) and Siuan (Sophie Okonedo), and scores to settle with both of them when she returns to the White Tower. Elaida is someone who believes in ends over means, and is willing to do anything to achieve what she envisions to be the greater good.
WotSeries previously uncovered two audition scripts for the role of Elaida, which shed light on what we can expect from the character in the TV series.
Meet Shohreh Aghdashloo
Shohreh Aghdashloo has distinguished herself as a groundbreaking Iranian-American actress. Her career spans theater and film, with significant milestones including her Oscar nomination for “House of Sand and Fog” in 2003, making her the first Iranian actress nominated for an Academy Award. An Emmy Award-winner with a diverse acting portfolio, Aghdashloo has successfully transitioned from her early work in Iranian theater to prominent roles in international film and television.
Her Emmy win was awarded for the portrayal of Sajida Talfah in the miniseries “House of Saddam”. She earned a Satellite Award for her role in “The Stoning of Soraya M.” In television, she gained widespread recognition as Chrisjen Avasarala in “The Expanse” and appeared in the popular series “24” and “The Punisher.” Her versatility extends to voice work, including roles in the Netflix film “Damsel” and the video game “Assassin’s Creed Mirage.”
All episodes of the first two seasons of The Wheel of Time are now available on Prime Video. Season 3 premiers on Prime Video on March 13th 2025.
I am a long-time fantasy fan. Also a technology generalist with a knack for research. A mix of Brown, Blue, and Yellow Ajah.
I was hoping she’d be Cadsuane.
I have always loved her work. She is an amazing actress and I have no doubt she will bring the character to life
I wanna know who is playing the other characters too like Falie or the 2 people in the books that parrin saves from the white cloaks that were his adopted parents. Or who some of the other main characters from the book
I hear she’s really good in The Penguin as well, but I don’t usually go for DC Stories… I better change that and check it out!