8 Side Characters In Wheel Of Time Likely To Have Massive Roles In Season 3

Despite having only minor roles thus far, some Wheel of Time characters are in good positions to get plenty of screen-time in season 3. Due to the sheer size of the Wheel of Time cast, in both the books and the show, it’s not surprising that a few players in the story would get overlooked. As a result of that approach, it’s easy to underestimate a character’s importance to the wider narrative.

What sort of roles they’ll have is often demonstrated by the books, among other hints. The current direction of the series and the source material chosen for season 3 provide a blueprint for their futures. Now that The Wheel of Time has closed the door on its adaptation of The Great Hunt, the series will shift its attention to The Shadow Rising, the fourth book in the series. What transpires in the novel, combined with other events the show is poised to cover, indicate that many of Wheel of Time’s side characters are about to get their share of the spotlight.

8 Dain Bornhald

Dain Bornhald has only featured in two episodes, yet is sure to be crucial to season 3. The fact that Bornhald’s actor, Jay Duffy, is listed among the main cast in the opening credits is evidence of that. In The Shadow Rising, Dain becomes a thorn in Perrin’s side when the two converge at Two Rivers. Contending with the Whitecloaks and Trollocs after returning home is the focus of Perrin’s book 4 arc, and Dain – who blamed Perrin for his father’s death – is a big part of that. And with Dain having seen Perrin kill Geofram in the show, the stage is already set for the character to follow his enemy to the Two Rivers.

7 Bayle Domon

The merchant who met with Moiraine in the season 2 premiere before turning out to be an associate of Lanfear in the finale was Bayle Domon, a key supporting character in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time books. The series has already greatly reduced his presence by removing the roles he plays in The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt, but since he hasn’t been cut altogether, it’s safe to say it still has a use for him. For a live-action take on The Shadow Rising, he should be particularly important, as Domon’s ship is used to transport Elayne and Nynaeve to Tanchico.

6 Thom Merrilin

To Rand and Met, Thom Merrilin is dead, but to those who read the books, it’s no secret that the gleeman is very much alive in The Wheel of Time’s world. In the books, Thom resurfaces in Cairhien, and though the books skipped his role in this storyline, Thom’s return is expected regardless. After all, Thom is easily one of the Dragon Reborn saga’s most important heroes. As for where he fits into The Shadow Rising in particular, Thom factors heavily into Elayne and Nynaeve’s search for the Black Ajah, and could appear in their story. Alternatively, he could reunite with Mat if the latter gets his Dragon Reborn arc, which calls for a team-up with Thom in Caemlyn.

5 Leane Sharif

As the Keeper of the Chronicles, Leanne Sharif is the second-in-command to the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche. As things stand, very little has been done with Leane in terms of her character development, but that could change soon with the events of The Shadow Rising on the horizon. In the novel, Siuan, Leane, and Min take center stage in a storyline set in Tar Valon that gradually leads to Siuan losing her position. With the show seemingly setting up Siuan Sanche’s downfall, their personal struggles in the White Tower should get significant attention in season 3.

4 Masema Dagar

Most of Masema’s contribution to The Wheel of Time season 2 came via the fighting, as the character had few speaking lines. If the show follows the books, his role should evolve considerably now that he’s witnessed Rand’s victory over Ishamael. In the source material, this moment effectively transforms Masema into a religious zealot. Proclaiming himself the Prophet of the Dragon, Masema begins preaching of Rand’s greatness. With people accepting the return of the Dragon likely to be a theme in season 3, reactions of characters like Masema feel especially relevant.

3 Tam al’Thor

As noted above, The Wheel of Time is on track to return to the Two Rivers village. Doing so will open the door for Rand’s father to step in a big way. As a retired Blademaster, Tam al’Thor brings a lot to the table when it comes to combat and like his book counterpart, he should be able to help Perrin out immensely when the Whitecloaks and the Trollocs enter the picture. Making greater use of Tam should also allow The Wheel of Time to reveal more about Tam’s military background.

2 Aram

A member of a Tuatha’an and a person who bonded with Egwene, Aram appeared in a three-episode arc in season 1, never to be seen again. However, it’s unlikely that The Wheel of Time is done with Aram. In fact, the show has actually been quite accurate with his storyline so far. In the books, Aram helps Perrin and Egwene escape the Whitelcoaks (just as he did in the show), and returns in The Shadow Rising when he meets Perrin again. After taking part in the battle with the Trollocs, Aram becomes a regular companion of Perrin’s, appearing in multiple Perrin-centric stories.

1 Eamon Valda

Eamon Valda wasn’t in The Shadow Rising, but still figures to be on hand in season 3. In The Wheel of Time’s first two seasons, the Whitecloaks functioned as peripheral characters, serving primarily as obstacles on an occasional basis. In neither season were they around for extended periods. Season 3 should be a change in pace for the Children of the Light, given that Perrin spends nearly the whole novel in the Two Rivers with the Whitecloaks.

Eamon Valda wasn’t among them, but since the TV show has clearly elected to make him its most prominent Whitecloak character, he has excellent odds of being heavily involved in the battles to come. The emphasis it’s already put on him whenever the Whitecloaks come into play is indicative of the presence he’ll have. And with Geofram Bornhald dead, it’s likely he’ll be in charge of the Whitecloaks scouring the Two Rivers in The Wheel of Time season 3.

The Wheel of Time

Release Date

November 19, 2021

Cast

Barney Harris , Zoe Robins , Madeleine Madden , Marcus Rutherford , Daniel Henney , Rosamund Pike , Josha Stradowski , Kate Fleetwood , Priyanka Bose , Hammed Animashaun

Seasons

2