The first season of the epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time premieres on November 19 on Amazon Prime Video. The highly anticipated series received a season 2 pickup back in May. So, when news came out that a major character has been recast, it was surprising, to say the least. 

For the first season, Mat Cauthon will be played by Barney Harris. Deadline reported that Harris will not be returning for The Wheel of Time’s second season and the role of Cauthon will be played by Dónal Finn. No reason has been given for the mysterious recast.

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The Wheel of Time is based on Robert Jordan’s fantasy series spanning 14 books. The final three books in the series were written by fantasy author Brandon Sanderson after Jordan’s passing. It is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it. Meaning that in this series — women hold the keys to power. The story follows Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization called the “Aes Sedai” as she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women. Moiraine is interested in these five because she believes one of them might be the reincarnation of an incredibly powerful individual, whom prophecies say will either save humanity or destroy it.

Executive producer/showrunner Rafe Judkins adapted the novels for television.  Executive producers also include Larry Mondragon and Rick Selvage of Red Eagle Entertainment, Ted Field and Mike Weber of Radar Pictures, Darren Lemke, Marigo Kehoe and Uta Briesewitz.  Jordan’s widow Harriet McDougal and Sanderson will serve as consulting producers.

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