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Amazon's Wheel of Time TV Show Casts Rosamund Pike
Amazon’s adaptation of The Wheel of Time has cast Rosamund Pike. Penned by Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time novels spanned 14 volumes, and became the best-selling fantasy series since The Lord Of the Rings - which Amazon has also ordered for the small screen. Drawn from numerous elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity, the one-hour action fantasy series has cast Pike in the leading role of Moiraine.
Noted for its detailed imaginary world and impeccably developed magic system, The Wheel Of Time series follows Moiraine Damodred, a member of the all-female organization the Aes Sedai, as she embarks on a perilous mission. Set in an unnamed world where magic can only be used by women, Moiraine recruits five young men and women on her journey, believing one of them may be the Dragon Reborn - one who can save humanity, or destroy it. The Wheel of Time coming to fruition has been a daunting task since 2000. No stranger to the big or small screen, English actress Pike has been revered for her work in Die Another Day, Pride & Prejudice, State of the Union, and David Fincher’s Gone Girl - which earned her an Academy Award nomination. The versatile actress is now set to lead one of Amazon’s most anticipated series.
Co-producing with Sony TV, Amazon named Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) as executive producer and showrunner to help make the fantasy world a reality. The Wheel of Time is in the creative hands of producers Judkins, Pike, Rick Selvage, and Larry Mondragon. Unfortunately, Jordan passed away in 2007, however, Jordan’s widow Harriet McDougal will contribute to keeping the author’s vision intact, and serve as a consulting producer. Emmy nominee Uta Briesewitz (Jessica Jones, Westworld) has been tapped to direct the first two episodes. In a series where women hold the keys to power, casting for Moiraine was crucial, and fans of the novels have waited with bated breath to see if the choice would stay true to the character. The Wheel of Time team took to Twitter to unveil the announcement of Pike being cast as Moraine. See the post below:
In the included image, Pike is reading "The Eye of The World", the novel which began the series in 1990. Boasting a character list said to surpass Game of Thrones, the novels concluded with “A Memory of Light”, penned by Brandon Sanderson following Jordan’s death. Amazon clearly has the intention to pack their fantasy/action slate, as The Lord of the Rings TV show is officially underway. Set in a period long before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, the series takes place on the J.R.R Tolkien timeline known as the Second Age. Amazon is eyeing a 2021 release date for The Lord of the Rings series. As for The Wheel of Time, as production gets closer more details will surface, including the casting choices of who will join Pike’s Moiraine. Pike is set to star in the upcoming crime film The Informer, and has recently been cast alongside Peter Dinklage in the thriller I Care A Lot.
The fantasy genre for the small screen took a loss with the end of HBO’s Game of Thrones. However, Amazon has made a wise move in greenlighting The Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time to series. The Wheel of Time has resonated with fans for its endless fascinating world, and powerful women at its core. Now, those familiar with the novels, as well as those seeking out a fix for a new action fantasy, have a series to dive into. Given Pike’s ability to inhabit her roles and adhere to the surroundings of her characters, she's the perfect choice to bring Moiraine to life.
