The Wheel of Time's third season now streaming on Prime Video

The third season of the high fantasy series The Wheel of Time began streaming on Prime Video four days ago, continuing the adaptation of Robert Jordan's best-selling novels. The new season introduces several notable cast additions, including Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actress Shohreh Aghdashloo in the role of Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan.

According to Amazon, the series will release new episodes weekly until the season finale on April 17. This installment adapts content from the fourth book in Jordan's series, The Shadow Rising, originally published in 1992.

The fantasy adaptation, which premiered on Prime Video in 2021, has expanded its cast for the third season beyond Aghdashloo. Olivia Williams, known for roles in The Sixth Sense and The Crown, joins as Queen Morgase Trakand. Additional new cast members include Luke Fetherston and Callum Kerr as royal princes Lord Gawyn and Lord Galad, respectively, with Nuno Lopes completing the royal quartet as Lord Gaebril.

Production and creative team

Executive producer and showrunner Rafe Judkins, previously known for work on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hemlock Grove, continues to lead the adaptation from Jordan's novels. The series is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios.

The core cast from previous seasons returns, including Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, Daniel Henney as al'Lan Mandragoran, Josha Stradowski as Rand al'Thor, Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al'Meara, and Madeleine Madden as Egwene al'Vere.

Plot developments

The narrative continues after the events of season two, when the character Rand (portrayed by Josha Stradowski) defeated Ishamael, identified as the most powerful servant of the antagonistic Dark One. According to Amazon's press materials, "the threats against the Light are multiplying: The White Tower stands divided, the Black Ajah run free, old enemies return to the Two Rivers, and the remaining Forsaken are in hot pursuit of the Dragon."

A significant plot element in the new season involves Lanfear, played by Natasha O'Keeffe, whose relationship with the protagonist Rand becomes a crucial point of tension between the forces of Light and Dark. The season explores the increasing corruption of Rand's power and his growing alienation from close allies Moiraine and Egwene.

The fictional world

The series is set in a universe where magic exists in the form of the "One Power," which can be channeled by certain individuals. The world operates on a cyclical pattern of death and rebirth over millennia, referred to as the "Wheel of Time."

Female channelers belong to an order called the Aes Sedai, who are organized into different sub-groups called Ajahs. Aghdashloo's character Elaida belongs to the Red Ajah and is described as "a ruthlessly powerful Aes Sedai" who is "as proficient in politicking as she is in channeling."

According to Amazon's materials, Elaida's character has "a deep history with Moiraine and Siuan, and scores to settle with both of them when she returns to the White Tower." Her character philosophy centers on prioritizing ends over means, with a willingness to take extreme actions to achieve what she views as the greater good.

Source material background

The adaptation draws from Jordan's The Wheel of Time novels, which were published between 1990 and 2013. The series spans 14 volumes plus one prequel and has sold over 90 million copies worldwide. After Jordan's death in 2007, author Brandon Sanderson completed the final three novels based on Jordan's notes.

The current season's plot points originate from the fourth book in the series, The Shadow Rising. This positions the TV adaptation at approximately the first third of the full literary saga, which suggests potential for numerous future seasons if the show continues to follow the source material sequentially.

Viewing access and platform details

The first two seasons remain available for streaming alongside the new episodes. Viewers can access the series with a Prime membership, which costs $14.99 monthly or $139 annually.

Amazon offers discounted membership options for specific demographics. Young adults aged 18-24 and college students can access Prime for Young Adults, which costs $7.49 monthly or $69 annually after a six-month trial period. Recipients of government assistance qualify for Prime Access at $6.99 monthly after a 30-day trial.

Timeline of The Wheel of Time on Prime Video

• November 2021: Season 1 premiere
• 2023: Season 2 release
• March 13, 2025: Season 3 begins streaming
• April 17, 2025: Scheduled Season 3 finale
• Future seasons: Not yet confirmed

The continued development of The Wheel of Time series represents Amazon's ongoing investment in high-profile fantasy adaptations, which also includes The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power among its current original programming roster.