The wait is finally over!
Fans of Robert Jordan’s best-selling fantasy book series and the Prime Video adaptation gathered at the Charlotte Street Hotel in Soho for an exclusive screening, hosted in partnership with Pilot TV and Empire magazine, of the first two episodes of The Wheel of Time’s highly anticipated second season.
I arrived at the screening last night eager to delve back into the series' magical world, catch up with the Aes Sedai - a powerful group of women with magical powers - our five friends from the Two Rivers and my favourite character in the entire series Lan Mandragoran played by Daniel Henney.
Just before the screening started, I joined the other avid fans adorned in The Wheel of Time cosplay, excited to have their pictures taken by a professional photographer. There was a clothing rack filled with fantasy costumes inspired by the series like colourful cloaks, elegant dresses, intricate jewellery and even a great selection of medieval weapons! After careful consideration, I picked out a lovely emerald green cloak and a huge sword – looking just like a character out of Robert Jordan’s enchanting world.
After taking pictures, I headed to the screening room and settled into the cosy orange sofas, ready to immerse myself in the magical world of the series once again. The seats were accompanied by refreshments and a tote bag containing the second book in The Wheel of Time book series and a bag of salted caramel popcorn – you’ll definitely see me walking around London with my tote bag in the future.
There was excitement in the air as I briefly spoke to the fans next to me and after a warm welcome from the organisers, it was time to watch the show and a bonus exclusive trailer showing us what to expect throughout the new season.
Season two picks up right after the events of the first season with the five friends, Rand al’Thor, Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoe Robins) and Matrim Cauthon (Dónal Finn) scattered across the world and struggling to acclimate to a new reality. The two episodes also introduce new characters: First Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coveney), daughter heir of Andor who joins Egwene and Nynaeve in the White Tower training to be an Aes Sedai. We also get a glimpse of the High Lady Suroth (Karima McAdams) an imposing Seanchan noblewoman from a distant land.
The first two episodes alone were packed full of big action set pieces, new stunning locations, breath-taking costumes, and encounters with foes new and old like Trollocs and Fades. If that’s what a few episodes have to offer, the rest of the series is sure to be another hit!
The screening was rounded off with a lively Q&A session hosted by Empire's Editors-in-Chief, James Dyer and Helen O’Hara. Their passion for the show really shone as they speculated with the audience on what to expect in later episodes and what they enjoyed so far.
Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time is perfect for both fans of the book and those who are new to the show. All episodes of the first season are available to watch now on Prime Video. I will be rewatching my favourite episodes as a refresher ahead of the premiere on 1 September.
Tune in on 1 September for the first three episodes of The Wheel of Time season two and then every Friday for new episodes.
