Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series is heading to Amazon, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. If you haven’t heard, The Wheel of Time is a series of 14 fantasy novels set in a richly imagined setting, and tells the tale of a great power reborn into the world. It was only a matter of time before someone adapted it to the screen, and if anyone has the resources, it’s Amazon.
Academy Award nominee Rosamund Playing is playing magic user Moiraine Damodred, a member of the Aes Sedai order and a mentor for the three protagonists. By all accounts, it looks like she’ll play a pivotal role in the first season of the show. Someone as talented as Pike could really make a mark with this role.
Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins, with help from a few other people from the writer’s room, answered some questions about Pike’s portrayal of Moiraine on Twitter. What did we find out?
Height: Moiraine vs Pike
How much emphasis will the writers and showrunners place on actor's physical traits with the characters? For example, Rosamund is significantly taller than Moiraine. Will the show use angles and gimmicks to show Moiraine as being short, or will we just let Rosamund be Rosamund?
— Joe (@wolfhawkpk86) July 2, 2019
To me, it was against the very core of the character that he would be tall. But the truth is, when I saw X-Men — of course Hugh Jackman was Wolverine. It’s so much more important to me to get someone high caliber who embodies the character than a perfect physical match.
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) July 3, 2019
Why Pike? How much did you search before settling on her?
We swung for the fences with Moiraine. We said, for this character, any actress on earth is fair game. And we were inundated with women excited about playing her, from household names to Oscar winners. After the phone call with Rosamund, though, I simply knew it must be her.
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) July 3, 2019
What accent will Moiraine have?
Good catch! This is something we talk about a lot. I’d like to build the accents around the lead characters from that place (Rosamund’s perfect RP for Cairhien, our Lan’s accent for the Malkieri, etc). To me it’s always about getting the best performers in the key roles
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) July 3, 2019
What made them believe that Pike was the one?
The second was after she spoke about Moiraine’s mission and what it meant to her as a character, how it affected Moiraine’s life and how she sees those who she cares about. It was 100% clear she deeply understood Moiraine and the forces that drive her
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) July 3, 2019
What one thing most made Pike stand out from the pack?
In truth? It’s her acting. And that’s not a cop out answer. So much is asked of this character throughout the series, and I needed someone who is truly one of the world’s best to pull it off. And luckily for all of us, we got her.
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) July 3, 2019
What are your thoughts The Wheel of Time, fans? Yay or nay for Rosamund Pike?
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h/t Tor