We have yet more new casting announcements for Amazon’s upcoming The Wheel of Time show! Amazon Prime has revealed who will be playing six characters from Robert Jordan’s 14-book epic, all of them residents of Emond’s Field, the peaceful farming village where the story begins.
These are all supporting characters, which is good news for fans who want to see each and every corner of the world of The Wheel of Time filled out. The series has an absolutely enormous cast, and even if none of these characters are crucial to the plot, it says a lot that the show is making a place for them, keeping the heart of the series intact even if some changes have to be made.
So without further, let’s meet the new cast members:
Image: The Wheel of Time/Amazon
Lolita Chakrabarti as Marin Al’Vere
Lolita Chakrabarti is a British actress and writer who has worked extensively on stage and screen. Lolita will be playing Marin Al’Vere, mother to lead character Egwene Al’Vere. In the books, she is described as being slender, with thick, grey braided hair. She is also known for being one of the best cooks in the village, famous for her honey-cakes and crusted bread loaves.
Marin is a strong-willed mother with a deep maternal connection to all of the children in Emond’s Field. She’s part of the Women’s Circle, a group of women who help manage the affairs of the village. The power of the Women’s Circle is balanced by (and often at odds with) the equally important Village Council. This is reflected in Marin’s relationship with her husband, Bran, who’s next on our list:
Image: The Wheel of Time/Amazon
Michael Tuahine and Bran Al’Vere
Short for Brandelwyn, Bran is the Mayor of Emond’s Field. In the books, he is described as having sparse gray hair and a round face. He wears an apron that strains to cover his wide girth, but walks lightly for a man of his size. Actor Michael Tuahine looks to be in better shape.
Bran is head of the Village Council, an all-male eight-member committee. It is generally understood that Councils regulate matters of economics and safety while Circles hold sway over social issues and serve as guardians of culture. Still, the Village Council and Woman’s Circle frequently bicker over small issues.
Image: The Wheel of Time/Amazon
David Sterne as Cenn Buie
The Wheel of Time fandom rejoices as one of the most iconic characters in fantasy is officially cast! Cenn Buie is the masterclass old timer who’s dark, beady eyes and gnarled fingers mark him as one of the oldest villagers in Emond’s Field. He’s a thatcher who only purpose in life is to gripe about everything, and sometimes neglects his duties to go off and complain.
David Sterne seems to be a more youthful version of Buie, and is no stranger to period drama, coming to The Wheel of Time after working on Vikings and Knightfall.
It’s a little surprising to see Cenn Buie cast, since showrunner Rafe Judkins previously seemed to suggest he would be left out of the adaptation:
We lose a lot of Cenn Buie, and I like his grumpy old manness.
— Rafe Judkins (@rafejudkins) September 12, 2018
Perhaps his role is just reduced, but I’m glad to hear he’s here.
Image: The Wheel of Time/Amazon
Christopher Sciueref as Abell Cauthon
Christopher Sciueref is a London-born actor and producer known for 300: Rise of an Empire and Exodus: Gods and Kings. He’ll be playing the easygoing farmer and horse trader from the Two Rivers, Abell Cauthon. Happily married to his wife Natti, he, like Bran, serves on the Village Council.
In the books, Abell is middle-aged and resembles an older, graying version of his son Matrim Cauthon. He is well known as being an expert with both the quarterstaff and the Two Rivers Longbow. Abell is also widely regarded as being the finest horse trader in the Two Rivers, always able to secure a superior trade with outlander merchants.
Image: The Wheel of Time/Amazon
Juliet Howland as Natti Cauthon
Natti Cauthon is one of the village women of Emond’s Field. Mat considers his mother a cool, collected woman and could never understand how she always knew what he was getting up to. And Mat gets into a lot of mischief, so Natti’s gift is undoubtedly very useful.
Juliet is an English actor who has regularly worked in film, TV and theatre. She is also a composer, plays the piano, guitar and flute, and has sung and played at festivals and gigs across the south of England. So who knows, maybe she”ll get to dance and sing with the Tinkers.
Image: The Wheel of Time/Amazon
Mandi Symonds as Daise Congar
Mandi Symonds is another relatively unknown actor. She will be playing the mighty Daise Congar, who takes over for Nyneave as Wisdom of Emond’s Field (a local healer and leader) when Nyneave leaves with the other main characters off on an adventure. It’s unclear what her role will be at the beginning of the series. Either way, no villager would want to be caught stealing by the likes of Daise Congar, that’s for sure.
In the books, Daise is described as a muscular woman with a hard face. She is twice as wide as her husband and a head taller. Perrin was once caught saying Daise is “like a bull” with a mean streak and a temper. Although she can be tough, she has the best interests of the village in mind.
Not only do these new faces add to an already sprawling cast of characters, but they suggest that the show is committed to doing Emond’s Field right. Fleshing out the village is important, because the characters who leave reference it for the rest of the story, so it’s vital we understand what it means to them. The casting of Egwene and Mat’s parents along with two important Emond’s Fielders will make the village feel like home for new viewers and longtime fans alike.
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