The Wheel of Time Cast Is Full of Fresh Faces Destined to Be Your New Faves

Amazon Studios
Amazon Studios

Amazon Prime Video's long-awaited adaptation of Robert Jordan's sprawling fantasy series The Wheel of Time is absolutely packed with characters. Like Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings before it, the show is set to drop viewers into a vast world of complex magic systems and characters with names that will leave those who aren't already fans of the books taking notes. Given the sheer complexity of the story, viewers deserve a cheat sheet to the cast of Wheel of Time, and we have you covered.

At the heart of all the action is Rosamund Pike's Moiraine, a member of the magical order of Aes Sedai, whose visit to the community of Two Rivers sparks a journey that could determine the fate of humanity itself. But Moiraine is far from alone on her quest — from the five young travelers who join her in the region of Two Rivers to the various people they meet along the way, these are the characters (and actors) you need to know before you dive into TV's newest fantasy epic.

01
Rosamund Pike as Moiraine
Getty | Mike Marsland

Rosamund Pike as Moiraine

Moiraine is a member of the all-female magical order Aes Sedai, who has made it her life's goal to track down a world-saving figure known as the Dragon Reborn. At the start of the series, the powerful Moiraine saves a group of young people in the region known as Two Rivers. But, unbeknownst to them, she believes one of them is the Dragon Reborn.

As for Pike, the Oscar-nominated actor is best known for her roles in hit movies like Gone Girl and Die Another Day. The Wheel of Time marks Pike's first major TV role outside of the short-form series State of the Union, which earned her an Emmy award for Best Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series in 2019.

02

Josha Stradowski as Rand al'Thor

After Moraine, Rand al'Thor is the most important character in the series. Although he's a young farmer who has seen little of the world as the story begins, he has a much larger purpose awaiting him. Fittingly, the unassuming Rand is played by Stradowski, a relative newcomer whose credits include the Dutch series High Flyers.

03

Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al'Meara

Although she's young, Nynaeve has already been elected as "Wisdom" by the village council of Emond's Field (a farming village at the center of Two Rivers). Essentially, this means she's seen as an expert on a wide range of topics, including predicting the weather and keeping the peace. This is a big role for Robins, whose most notable credits to date are Power Rangers Ninja Steel and a role in the 2019 remake of Black Christmas.

04
Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybara
Getty | David M. Benett

Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybara

Perrin Aybara is one of the villagers saved by Moiraine and a close friend of Mat (Barney Harris) and Rand (Josha Stradowski). Before he's recruited to join her quest, Perrin keeps himself busy as an apprentice to the village blacksmith. Perrin's portrayer, Rutherford, is a relative newcomer whose biggest credits to date include a recurring role on the British series Bulletproof and a small role in County Lines, a film about drug trafficking.

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Barney Harris as Mat Cauthon
Getty | Brent N. Clarke

Barney Harris as Mat Cauthon

A close friend of Rand and Perrin, Mat is a Two Rivers farmer with a penchant for getting into trouble even before Moiraine saves his life. Meanwhile, Harris is another up-and-coming British actor whose list of credits is short. However, you may have spotted him in the teen drama Clique or The Hollow Crown, which aired on PBS stateside.

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Madeleine Madden as Egwene al'Vere
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Madeleine Madden as Egwene al'Vere

Another one of the young travelers who joins Moiraine is Egwene al'Vere, the youngest daughter of the leader of Emond's Field. Along the way, Moiraine will encourage her to discover her magical abilities. As for Madden, she should be a familiar face to fans of international TV. The Australian actor has starred in Picnic at Hanging Rock, Mystery Road, and Tidelands. She also appeared in the movie Dora and the Lost City of Gold as Dora's frenemy Sammy.

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Sophie Okonedo as Siuan Sanche
Getty | Keith Mayhew

Sophie Okonedo as Siuan Sanche

The women in The Wheel of Time are all very powerful, but Siuan Sanche may be the most powerful one of them all. As the leader of the Aes Sedai, Siuan is at the heart of the story's magic system. Given the gravitas needed for the role, Amazon wisely cast the Oscar-nominated Okonedo, whose extensive list of credits includes Hotel Rwanda, Doctor Who, Ratched, and His Dark Materials.

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Daniel Henney as Lan Mandragoran
Getty | Greg Doherty

Daniel Henney as Lan Mandragoran

Moiraine isn't alone in guiding the young villagers on their epic quest. Also along for the ride is Lan Mandragoran, a warder who is bound to Moiraine as her protector. Stepping into the role of Lan is Henney, who you may have seen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine or on Criminal Minds.

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Alexandre Willaume as Thom Merrilin
Getty | Arnold Jerocki

Alexandre Willaume as Thom Merrilin

One of the people Moiraine and her group meet during their travels is Thom Merrilin. As a traveling performer, he's in a unique position to carry news and whispers from every corner of the characters' world. As for the Danish actor Willaume, The Wheel of Time joins his sprawling list of TV and film roles, including 2018's Tomb Raider and a stint on Netflix's The Last Kingdom.

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Hammed Animashaun as Loial
Getty | David M. Benett

Hammed Animashaun as Loial

The Wheel of Time doesn't just feature human characters; it also features a species of peaceful builders known as Ogier. Among them is Loial, whose desire to see the world brings him into Moiraine's orbit. Loial marks Animashaun's biggest onscreen role to date, but the British actor has extensive theater credits. Additionally, you may have seen him in Black Mirror or in the 2019 movie How to Build a Girl.

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Johann Myers as Padan Fain
Getty | Ian West

Johann Myers as Padan Fain

Like Thom, Padan Fain is another traveler with a gift for carrying news from town to town. But there may also be more to Padan than immediately meets the eye, as evidenced by the casting of Myers, whose extensive experience in the world of film and TV suggests his character has a larger role to play than that of a simple traveler. Since his career began, the seasoned actor has been in everything from Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang to Black Mirror and State of Play.

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Kae Alexander as Min
Getty | Ian West

Kae Alexander as Min

In their travels, Moiraine and her new friends will meet Min, who has the uncanny ability to see the future — which could definitely come in handy when you're trying to save the world. The magical character is played by Alexander, who fantasy TV fans may remember as the mysterious Leaf on Game of Thrones.

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Álvaro Morte as Logain
Getty | Carlos Alvarez

Álvaro Morte as Logain

In the world of The Wheel of Time, only women are supposed to possess magic, but Logain is a dangerous outlier. Not only can he use magic, but he also believes he's the Dragon Reborn sent to save the world from ruin. This intriguing character is played by Morte, who is best known for his role as "The Professor" on Netflix's Money Heist.

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Michael McElhatton as Tam al'Thor
Getty | Jim Spellman

Michael McElhatton as Tam al'Thor

Tam al'Thor is Rand's father, who also happens to be an aging warrior and farmer. McElhatton's résumé is a long one, but if you watched Game of Thrones, you'll know him best as Roose Bolton, the father of the terrifying Ramsay.