Wheel of Time fans shouldn’t worry about actors matching book descriptions

Back in June, we learned that Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike will take on the lead role of Moraine in Amazon’s upcoming adaptation of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. Per Amazon, here’s what viewers are in for:

"The fantasy epic is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it. The story follows Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women. Moiraine believes that one of them might be the reincarnation of an incredibly powerful individual, whom prophecies say will either save humanity or destroy it. The series draws on numerous elements of European and Asian culture and philosophy, most notably the cyclical nature of time found in Buddhism and Hinduism."

At first glance, Pike seems an odd choice, because she in no way matches the books’ physical description of Moraine. “She was barely tall enough to come up to his chest, but her presence was such that her height seemed the proper one, and he was felt ungainly in his tallness,” Jordan writes of Moraine in Eye of the World, as viewed from the perspective of protagonist Rand al’Thor. “The wide hood of her cloak framed her face and dark hair, hanging in soft ringlets.”

That doesn’t really match the blonde Pike, who’s 5’9”. Physically, she seems more fitted to play Leanne or Birgitte, characters introduced later in the series.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 15: Rosamund Pike attends the IWC Schaffhausen Gala celebrating the launch of the new Pilot’s Watches at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) on January 15, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for IWC)

Should fans be worried at this disparity? In a word, no. At the end of the day, for this story, physical appearance is pretty much a non-factor. What matters is if the actors can channel the personalities of these beloved characters. Can Pike pull off Moraine’s quiet authority? Can she command respect with her aloof demeanor and drilling stare? Those are the kinds of things Pike has to bring to her performance to be a success in the role.

This week, five more major cast members were revealed. Once again, none of them particularly fit the descriptions Jordan provides in the books, and once again, it doesn’t really matter. The characters’ personalities are far more important to this epic tale than their appearances.

Nynaeve must be overbearing and bossy, yet maintain a vulnerable degree of self-doubt. Mat must be cocksure, fun-loving and full of swagger. Egwene must be steadfast and true, level-headed and ambitious. Perrin must be shy and introverted, quiet and deliberate. And Rand must be innocent and curious, with the ability to stay rooted.

These are the key traits these characters carry with them through 14 books. These are things that made these characters so important and relatable and why 6.5 million readers followed this series for so long.

In the end, each performer will bring their own unique flavor to the characters. They should. It will be satisfying for fans if the actors can stay true to the written personalities while still finding a new angle.

For all his genius as a writer and storyteller, Jordan sometimes allowed his characters to grow stale — sometimes, it could be hard to tell if they were growing. Onscreen, in the flesh, these characters will be allowed to grow and mature. If all goes well, they will bring a richness that improves on what’s in the books.

In the end, it’s not worth getting caught up with the physical differences between the books and the show. Welcome them and enjoy the personalities and the story. If the showrunners and performers do their jobs, that will be enough. Now, let’s get this thing rolling!

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