Things are looking pretty bleak for our crew in The Wheel of Time Season 3, and Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden) is smack-dab in the middle of the madness.
For starters, her love, Rand al’Thor (Josha Strawdowski), teeters precariously between Light and Dark as the Dragon Reborn. The once-fabled Black Ajah are running free. On top of that, Egwene is still grappling with the trauma she endured courtesy of the Seanchan in Season 2. That said, there’s a lot on the horizon for Egwene narratively, and something tells me Season 3 will be a significant turning point for her.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Madeleine Madden for a few minutes about Egwene’s arc in Season 3 and what her accepted test will hold.
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This interview is edited for clarity.
The Wheel of Time Season 3
Madeleine Madden
Melody McCune: Egwene really went through the wringer in Season 2. How does her traumatic experience with the Seanchan inform your approach as an actor to the obstacles she faces this season?
Madeleine Madden: For me, Season 2 was a massive undertaking. Not only emotionally was it a challenge, but physically, it required a lot from me as a performer.
But I was grateful to get the opportunity to shine a light on this moment in Egwene’s life, which is so fundamental to who she becomes and the lessons she takes from that moment onward. I know that that was a big moment viewers were also waiting for. So, for me, it was really important to fully lean into it, not only emotionally but physically. And I had a great movement coach, Scarlet McKim, who supported me through that.
Picking up where we left off, it was difficult, as an actor, to remember, “Okay, where were we?” Especially when there’s not much time from season to season, picking up where [we] were and getting back into that mindset was a bit difficult. But it’s like riding a bike. You jump back on, and it comes pretty naturally. And I think when you’re back with the ensemble cast, you slide into that familiar feeling you all have together, so that’s really helpful.
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Accepted
MM: In the teaser trailer, we see Egwene preparing to take her accepted test. What can you tell us about that test and how it affects her for the rest of the season?
M. Madden: One of the wonderful things we have [is] the magic in this world feels very different to anything else I’ve ever seen in other series in this genre. That’s a big testament to Robert Jordan’s work and to his writing and his drawing inspiration from an appreciation of cultures in our world.
One of those is the accepted test — the concept of time and parallel universes and what your life could be in another world or time. It’s very promising but also devastating. This season, we see a lot of Egwene’s fears surround Rand [with] him leaning into the prophecy and being the Dragon Reborn. I can tease that in the Arches. Rand’s got something to do with it. Long story short!
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MM: Alright, last one. Describe Season 3 using three words.
M. Madden: Elevated. Expansive. Stunning.
Thank you, Madeleine, for chatting with GGA!
The Wheel of Time Season 3 premieres on Thursday, March 13, with its first three episodes on Prime Video. Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming.
THE WHEEL OF TIME: Check Out 10 First-Look Photos for Season 3
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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.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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