1. Isamael
It should come as no shock to fans that Ishamael tops this list as the greatest of the Forsaken. Throughout The Wheel of Time books, Ishamael frequently acts as a human stand-in for the Dark One. In the early books he goes by the name Ba’alzamon and impersonates the Dark One. He duels Rand on multiple occasions, once dealing him a wound that is never able to fully heal. After finally being killed by Rand in the third novel The Dragon Reborn, Ishamael is brought back by the Dark One under the name Moridin (death) and made the chief of the Forsaken for his loyal service.
One of the world’s greatest philosophers, Ishamael’s fall to the Dark One in the Age of Legends was precipitated by his reflections on the meaninglessness of life in the universe and a desire to bring it to a final end, breaking the cycle of rebirth and reincarnation under which humanity lives. Even his fellow Forsaken think Ishamael is more than half mad.
On the show Ishamael is played by Fares Fares. If Ishamael returns as Moridin, which we don’t know will happen on the show, he may be played by a different actor.
The Forsaken are undoubtedly one of the most entertaining aspects of The Wheel of Time novels, bringing life and charisma to the otherwise ineffable villains. Their schemes against one another help keep the story alive over thousands of pages. Whether you’re a book-reader hoping to see a familiar face or a show-only watcher looking forward to the unknown, fans of The Wheel of Time have a lot to look forward to in the coming seasons!
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