Wheel of Time Season 2: What Happens Next For Every Main Character?

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Wheel of Time season 1.

Big stories are on the horizon for every main character in Amazon’s Wheel of Time show. The second book in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, The Great Hunt, may serve as a blueprint for what the show has planned for season 2. If so, it can give viewers a good idea of what comes next for Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), Rand (Josha Stradowksi), and all the rest.

Given that Wheel of Time consisted of 14 books (plus a prequel), there was no secret that defeating the Dark One at the Eye of the World wasn’t going to go as Moiraine had planned. Before taking Rand there, she was of the opinion that discovering the Dragon Reborn’s identity would enable her to kick off the Last Battle from the prophecy and secure the Dark One’s final defeat. While they did learn once and for all that Rand is indeed the reincarnation of Lews Therin Telamon, they didn’t get the ultimate victory they wanted. Moiraine finding a broken piece of Cuendillar helped her come to the realization that the Last Battle hasn’t actually happened yet. Instead, it looks like one of the seals on the Dark One’s prison has just been broken.

Their journey to the Eye of the World allowed Wheel of Time season 1 to wrap up at the same place in the timeline as the first book. As a result, Wheel of Time can move to The Great Hunt’s story when season 2 releases, which will presumably happen sometime in 2022. For now, there are no official details about season 2’s story. However, what happens in The Great Hunt and the changes that were made to each character’s Eye of the World ending shed some light on what the future holds for them.

Interestingly, Wheel of Time already used a major chunk of Moiraine’s arc from The Great Hunt. Getting raked over the coals for not spilling the details of her mission wasn’t supposed to happen until after the trip to the Eye of the World, and not before. She also didn’t get exiled in the book version. That, combined with Moiraine not feeling the Source in the finale, points to her character receiving an all-new storyline in Wheel of Time season 2. While some suspect that she’s been stilled, it’s more likely that she’s been shielded from the Source, which would mean it’s not permanent. Either way though, it may become necessary for her to return to the White Tower if she wants to reverse her condition. If she can’t go back, Wheel of Time’s plan may be to send her somewhere else entirely.

Lan

During the events of The Great Hunt, Lan trained Rand in swordsmanship, grew closer to Nynaeve, and quarreled with Moiraine. If Rand somehow finds his way back to the group, there’s a chance that the TV version of Lan could move in the same direction. Looking at what happened in Wheel of Time season 1, Lan’s growing connection to Nynaeve is sure to be important going forward. If the show sticks to the books, Lan should spend most of his time in Fal Dara and the White Tower.

Perrin

After returning to Fal Dara, Perrin joined the group tasked with hunting down Padan Fain and retrieving the Horn of Valere and Mat’s ruby-hilted dagger. Right now, there’s no reason why Marcus Rutherford’s Perrin won’t get the same story in Amazon’s Wheel of Time show. In addition to that, he might meet Elyas Machera, an Eye of the World character who helped him learn about his newfound wolf powers. Wheel of Time skipped him in season 1, but it could be that he’s being saved for season 2.

Mat

When Mat returns, he’ll be played by a new actor. Before season 1 premiered, it was confirmed that Dónal Finn would replace Barney Harris in the role. As for what his story will be, Wheel of Time threw a wrench into things by having his character decide not to follow Moiraine’s group into the Waygate. Now he’s in Tar Valon, where he may have to contend with the Red Ajah. Suspecting at the time that he might be the Dragon Reborn, Moiraine arranged for the Red Ajah to hunt him down. This could keep Mat busy for a while, but at some point, it’ll be important for his storyline to converge with the hunt for Fain. After all, Fain has the dagger that they’ll need to Heal Mat in the books.

Rand

Similar to the situation with Mat, Wheel of Time complicated its season 2 setup by isolating Rand from his friends. In the book, he was in the group that searched for the Horn of Valere, traveled to new dimensions, reunited with Thom, and encountered the mysterious Selene. Unless someone finds him and convinces him to return, Rand may embark on an adventure with a different objective. If that happens, it’ll give the show a chance to cover its missing story from the first book, which was his first meeting with Elayne, one of his three main love interests.

Egwene & Nynaeve

When Mat, Rand, and Perrin were off looking for Fain and the Horn of Valere, Egwene and Nynaeve went to Tar Valon to become Aes Sedai. There’s a good chance that Nynaeve and Egwene’s stories in Wheel of Time season 2 will explore their training at the White Tower, interactions with the other Aes Sedai, and how they meet Elayne, who forms a trio with the two characters. In The Great Hunt, Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne went through quite a few trials to become Aes Sedai, and eventually had to leave when they hear that Rand was in danger.

Loial

Contrary to what the finale suggested, Loial (Hammed Animashaun) isn’t dead and should help the characters find the Horn of Valere in Wheel of Time season 2. Loial’s knowledge of history, architecture, and the works of the Ogiers made him integral to their efforts throughout the search for the Horn of Valere, so it makes sense that the same would be true of his book counterpart. Depending on whether or not Rand gets roped into it, Loial could emerge as one of Rand’s closest confidantes, which is a role that he assumed in The Great Hunt.

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