The third chapter of The Wheel of Time saga finally arrives on screens this week, and fans of Robert Jordan’s beloved fantasy series have some truly massive moments to look forward to. The show has captivated audiences with its rich world-building, thrilling action, and complex characters, and Season 3 promises an even deeper dive into the source material, intense character arcs, and high-stakes adventure.
Returning to the screen is Madeleine Madden, reprising her role as Egwene, as the story picks up right where last season left off.
Ahead of the launch of Season 3, Madden sat down for a candid conversation with ETimes, where she reflected on her 5-year journey growing with Egwene, the challenges of filming in extreme locations, and why this season might be the most faithful adaptation yet. Excerpts:
It’s been nearly five years since you first stepped into the role of Egwene. How has this journey shaped you both personally and professionally, and what about your character’s evolution in Season 3 has impressed you?
The Wheel of Time has been a major part of my adult life, so it has fundamentally changed me. Gosh! We started filming before COVID, which feels like a million years ago for everyone. It has definitely been a marathon of a show, and with a project of this scale, you want to take the time to tell the story properly, allowing the characters to grow and their arcs to develop.
This brings me to Egwene—I feel like I’ve really grown up with her. It has been a real privilege to see the world through her eyes. She’s constantly evolving and changing and remains a true novice of the world, throwing herself fully into every experience she encounters. I’ve learned so much from her in terms of discipline and pushing forward in life.
As an actor, it has been an incredible privilege to experience such a significant character arc, and we’re only in our third season. That’s a real blessing to have so early on in the series.
Season 3 takes a much more action-packed approach compared to the previous seasons. Were there any specific moments that stood out to you—either as particularly memorable or especially challenging to film?
We shot this season at the end of summer in South Africa, and one of the great things about this show is the incredible locations we get to film in. That being said, the deserts were pretty relentless. However, in a way, that kind of environment really helps you as a performer. You can actually feel what it’s like to trudge through a desert for days because, in reality, you have been.
It adds an extra layer to the performance—something you simply can’t replicate unless you’re truly experiencing it. So, while it was definitely a challenge, it was also one of the biggest privileges.
Egwene has had complex relationships with characters like Rand, Moiraine, and the rest of the group. How do these dynamics shift in Season 3? Also, with 15 books in The Wheel of Time series, is there any certainty about a potential Season 4?
Look, whether or not a Season 4 is coming is something we would all love, but ultimately, it’s not my decision. What I can say is that Season 3 follows books 4 and 5 very closely, which I think fans will really appreciate. This is the most faithful season to the books so far, and they contain so much depth and excitement.
I also think new audiences will really connect with the world we’ve established and the journeys of our heroes. The beauty of this series is that there’s always a character or aspect of the world that resonates with people.
Whether you’re new to The Wheel of Time or a longtime fan of the books, I think you’re really going to love this season.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, Priyanka Bose and Madeleine Madden, the first 3 episodes of the eight-episodic series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on March 13, with weekly releases in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages.
