As Season 2 of The Wheel of Time premieres on Prime Video tomorrow, t2 engaged in a video chat with Daniel Henney and Madeleine Madden, who play the prominent characters of al’Lan Mandragoran and Egwene al’Vere, respectively. With the first season of the epic fantasy series being lauded and Season 3 already being greenlit, The Wheel of Time — based on a series of novels of the same name by Robert Jordan with Brandon Sanderson — which is headlined by Rosamund Pike, is hoping for a bigger fanbase in Season 2.

Madeleine, if you had to summarise your experience with The Wheel of Time over two seasons, what would it be?

Madeleine Madden: Having a new-found family. I have been blessed to work with very passionate and creatively generous people. I feel very lucky to have this family that I have gained over the last four years.

Why do you think Season 1 worked so well with audiences across the world?

Daniel Henney: The show is quite different from the other things out there. It’s a testament to how the team cast the show and how Robert Jordan’s (author of the books) writing has had a global impact. People can relate to these characters from anywhere in the world. It’s empowering for women, and it’s timely. Also, the kind of masculinity shown on the show is beautiful. It’s very different. It’s a supportive, endearing, compassionate sort of masculinity.

The show also has a huge fanbase. It all came together perfectly and we are hoping that Season 2 does the same thing. Season 2 feels like a complete season... tone-wise, pacing-wise....
Madeleine: The series is derived from a book series, which in itself was incredibly popular. The attitudes that Robert Jordan found in this world, the social hierarchies and the institutions are very interesting to people. Also, the spirituality element.

The show has a lot of different themes that viewers can relate to. It is set in the realm of fantasy that we can lose ourselves in. The characters are often placed in difficult situations where they must make challenging and consequential decisions. And it is very relevant. Entertainment needs to reflect what our world looks like today.

Personally, I really loved exploring a character (Egwene al’Vere) who feels like someone one can relate to in your day-to-day life. I think that’s what people are really drawn to... these relatable characters that we find in the middle of this epic, fantastical world.

Daniel, I believe you willed this series into existence even before anyone had even thought of adapting The Wheel of Time on screen. Can you talk about that?

Daniel: I am not sure if that’s how it actually happened! (Laughs) It so happens that if I come across a character I would like to play or a kind of film I would like to do, I take a snapshot of it on my phone. It becomes a part of my vision board. Around 2011, I saved a picture of the book on my phone. I hadn’t read the books. I just loved the cover art and I thought: ‘If it’s ever made, that’s a show I would like to do.’ I grew up loving films like Braveheart and that book cover spoke to me. And somehow, I now play al’Lan (Mandragoran) who was featured on that cover quite prominently (smiles).

Madeleine, in what ways does Egwene find resonance with you?

Madeleine: I feel that she is someone who knows what she wants. She strives for the best. She wants to lift others up with her, and I would like to believe that I try and do the same. Egwene always wants to do the best for everyone, sometimes to the detriment of her own happiness and well-being. I love that Egwene is always an eager student, a novice of the world... she wants to learn everything that there is and she is incredibly dedicated to doing the same. I find that inspiring. She has a very strong moral compass and I think that if the world had more Egwenes in it, it would be a better place.

What are the elements in her that are completely different from you?

Madeleine: Sometimes, she can be a little bit tightly wound whereas I have a more relaxed attitude in life. But it’s certainly fun to play Egwene when she is taken aback by something that she finds really appalling (laughs). It’s fun to watch her squirm sometimes and one will get to see quite a bit of that in Season 2.

Daniel, al’Lan is a stoic man of few words and yet he has big emotional moments. What was the key to navigating that?

Daniel: As an actor, you want to do things on your own (despite the script) and when you don’t, then you worry that you aren’t doing anything. With al’Lan, I have to be comfortable not doing anything, I have to be comfortable in silence and I have to be okay with standing behind and not at the front of the scene. I have learnt that when done the right way, that can be very powerful.

I was on Criminal Minds for five-six years and I spoke enough! (Laughs) So it was nice to have a quiet character here. I am very excited to see how al’Lan’s journey develops.

Daniel, were there moments of insecurity when you had to stand in the background and not be an active part of a scene?

Daniel: Honestly, no. I just want the show to be as good as it can be. I love it when each of the characters has a showcase episode. In a true ensemble cast, you have to let everyone have their moment.

How has this experience benefited you as actors?

Daniel: I have loved collaborating with this group of people. I was a huge fan of Rosamund (Pike) even before we did this. I have learnt so much from her and I am definitely a better actor because of her. I have watched our young cast grow and become so confident and capable.
Madeleine: The biggest high of this show is getting to work with such an exceptionally talented range of cast. I have learnt so much on this job, especially from my co-stars. It’s like watching a masterclass when I work with some of these people. It has been really wonderful for me to flesh out scenes with directors and writers, as well as see things like production design, the costumes and make-up being interpreted. That makes such a difference to the way we get into character.

What have been the challenges?

Madeleine: There are some difficult moments that our characters go through which can be quite traumatic for them. Acting that out can sometimes be a bit difficult, but watching it back feels very rewarding.

Daniel: Covid-19 hit us hard. We would constantly be shutting down and starting shoot and it was a pretty traumatic and unpredictable time. I am glad we managed to reach the finish line despite that, there are many other shows that didn’t. I am hoping that Season 3 will be without any hiccups, but now we have the writer’s strike (in Hollywood), so let’s see how it goes.

Madeleine, you are a prime example and a champion of inclusivity in Hollywood. How does the cast and crew on The Wheel of Time reflect that?

Madeleine: That’s something that I have championed in the past and continue to do. Diversity is what I love about this series and I want to play my character as authentically as possible, drawing from my own life experiences.

Madeleine, have you been to India? You would blend right in!

Madeleine: (Laughs) No, I haven’t but I do mean to. We have wonderful Priyanka (Bose) in this series. I would love to go to India and visit her. Now that The Wheel of Time has a wonderful fan base in India, we would love to go together as a cast.