Amazon’s highly anticipated TV series adaptation of the beloved book seriesThe Wheel of Timehas found its star. It was announced today that Oscar-nominated actressRosamund Pikewill play the lead role of Moiraine in the TV adaptation ofRobert Jordan’s fantasy novels.
The Wheel of Timeis 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’s 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. The series draws on numerous elements of European and Asian culture and philosophy, most notably the cyclical nature of time found in Buddhism and Hinduism.
The first volume of Jordan’s book series,The Eye of the World, was published in 1984, but he died in 2007 while working on what was planned to be the 12th and final volume. Jordan left extensive notes on what was to come, which authorBrandon Sandersonthen adapted into a three-part conclusion published in 2009, 2010, and 2013.
Rafe Judkinsserves as showrunner and executive producer on the hourlong series, which Amazon hopes will make it a TV destination forGame of Thrones-type storytelling. Indeed,The Wheel of Timeis one of many “event” series in the works at Amazon, which also includes theLord of the Ringsseriesas well asJack Ryan, which is entering its second season.
Pike earned an Oscar nomination for her stunning work inDavid Fincher’sGone Girland last year turned in a tremendous performance in the true-story war dramaA Private War. Most recently she co-starred oppositeChris O’Dowdin theNick HornbyTV series adaptationState of the Unionfor Sundance TV andplays Marie Curie in the upcoming biopicRadioactive.
Amazon has not yet announced a premiere date forThe Wheel of Time, but obviously casting has begun so expect filming to begin by the end of the year.
