The White Tower has a new face in The Wheel of Time Season 3. Enter Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan (Shohreh Aghdashloo), the Aes Sedai advisor to Queen Morgase (Olivia Williams) and a powerful member (with the rare gift of Foretelling) of the Red Ajah. In episode two, Morgase leaves Elaida at the White Tower to assist Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo) in the aftermath of the Black Ajah attack.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Shohreh about Elaida’s motivations, real-life character inspirations and the tense dynamic between Elaida and Siuan.
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This interview is edited for clarity.
Shohreh Aghdashloo on The Wheel of Time Season 3
Melody McCune: I’m loving your character on the show. She’s fascinating. She’s this whip-smart woman who really understands the politics of the White Tower. Did you draw inspiration from similar figures in real life to inform your performance?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: Well, it’s hard to point out a specific person. When it comes to politics and powerful female politicians, I have two in real life. Two ladies in mind. First is Margaret Thatcher, whom I was a witness when she started talking at her inauguration. The second one is Indira Gandhi. I had those two in mind when they told me I was going to join The Wheel of Time and portray Elaida. Obviously, she’s far ahead of both of them.
She is a ruthless politician who truly believes the ends justify the means, which is horrible in real life. This is who she is, and she acts accordingly.
Elaida and Siuan
MM: There’s also quite a bit of tension between Elaida and Siuan. What can we expect from their dynamic moving forward?
SA: I don’t know what Siuan is going to do or what she has in mind, but Elaida’s been betrayed once. She does not know exactly who and when they betrayed her. How did this conspiracy theory start at the White Tower? She’s back to take her revenge.
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However, Siuan Sanche feels Elaida does not care. Elaida is there to run her own ideas and pursue what she believes in, and she takes care of the betrayers no matter what. No matter how long it’s going to take, no matter how much it’s going to cost. Again, she believes the ends justify the means.
MM: What can we expect from Elaida’s journey this season?
SA: She’s determined to leave a legacy behind. Whether she will be able to do so or not, this is what she is back at the White Tower to do.
The Red Ajah
MM: In episode two, Elaida claims she wants to see the Red Ajah restored to their former glory. Is there something more to this? Does she have deeper motivations that go beyond her Red Sisters?
SA: I do believe that she’s been very honest. It’s not like she’s saying something but having something else in mind. She truly believes that [if they] get together and put their hands together, they [can] do things. That’s why I didn’t feel like she was trying to hide anything here. She’s just pretty to the point — that this is what we need to do. Elaida believes in the oneness of the Red Ajah.
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She knows that some could be manipulated by others. Maybe she’s warning them in that scene a bit; that if you don’t do this, then I cannot guarantee a happy ending for this sisterhood. She believes in sisterhood to its max, the most meaningful level.
MM: Describe Season 3 using three words.
SA: Magical, exciting. Oh, my God. Meaningful to its teeth. Relevant for today’s world. This is what is amazing about it. The storylines of Book 4, along with the elements of Book 5, are in Season 3.
It can’t get any more meaningful than that, and that together, we can do it. Apart, we will lose.
MM: Oh, I love that. Well, that’s all the time I have for you today, Shohreh. Thank you so much for chatting with me!
SA: Thank you, Melody!
The Wheel of Time Season 3 drops new episodes every Thursday on Prime Video, with weekly releases leading to the finale on April 17.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
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