Barney Harris will play Mat Cauthon in the first season of Amazon’s The Wheel of Time show, but after that, the crucial role will be played by Dónal Finn.
Amazon’s adaptation of Robert Jordan’s 14-book strong The Wheel of Time series is just around the corner, and already the show is going through a major shakeup. Deadline reports that Barney Harris, who plays Mat Cauthon in the first season, will not return for season 2. Instead, Irish actor Dónal Finn will step in.
We don’t know why Harris is dropping out, but it’s a fairly big deal because Mat is a central role. He’s one of three rural young men who may — or may not — be the legendary Dragon Reborn, a figure of prophecy due to either save the world or destroy it, and he gets a ton of attention in the books. Whatever the reason Harris is leaving the role, he’s missing out on a part he could have played for years to come.
The Wheel of Time is a little like Game of Thrones in that it’s a sprawling fantasy drama with an enormous cast. Game of Thrones too had its share of recastings over the years — three different actors played Gregor “the Mountain” Clegane over the course of its eight seasons — but they never had to recast a major role.
At least Finn looks like Harris. Anyway, The Wheel of Time premieres on Amazon Prime Video on November 19.
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