For lovers of epicfantasyshows like those from theGame of Thronesuniverse, time tends to go by awfully slowly between seasons. Shows likeHouse of the Dragon, which transports audiences to another time and place where ordinary rules don’t apply and anything is possible, are a sweet escape. Take that away for months on end, and it can truly start to feel like something is amiss in life. If this is you and there’s aHouse of the Dragon-sized voidyou’re looking to fill, thankfully, there’s another great show you can turn to.
If you’ve never seen it,The Wheel of Timeis another great fantasy show. It may not be as high profile asHouse of the Dragonor its predecessor, but there’s plenty to love about it — especially if you’re a fan of fantasy.Between its great cast, concept, and execution,The Wheel of Timecan serve as the perfect answer for fans who just can’t quite manage the wait for Season 3 ofHouse of the Dragon. If you love sprawling, magical worlds, this Prime Video series has you covered.
‘The Wheel of Time’ Has a Largely Unknown Cast, but That’s a Good Thing
The Wheel of Time
Among the show’s main cast, you’ll find names like Daniel Henney (known for his role in a K-Drama), Zoë Robins, and Madeleine Madden. With backgrounds from places like New Zealand and Australia among them, none were particularly well-known to predominantly Hollywood audiences. However, this was a good thing. The show’s main characters have all proven to be engaging and adept at playing their characters, even helping the showset records on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile,the fact that they aren’t household names makes it easier to focus on these characters without comparing them to other famous roles.
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The main and supporting casts of the show are also quite expansive, giving the show a real feel of being an entirely different world in which you may immerse yourself. This fact is aided by the show’s other enamoring qualities that fantasy fans of all ilks can happily get on board with. For one,the show has terrific production quality. It’s also proven to have a superb range of thematic depth by weaving themes like destiny and the very nature of good and evil into major character arcs. The result is a show with acres of layers and deeper qualities to enjoy.
The Star That Brings It All Together
While most of the main cast may not have been well known among mainstream audiences before the show, the main character is.That’s because that character is Moiraine Damodred and the star who plays her is the very popular Rosamund Pike. She is best known for her outstanding performances in acclaimedfilms likeGone Girl.Bursting with talent, Pike is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, in addition to being an Oscar-nominated actor.
Her immense talent and the understated brilliance she brought to the role helped give the show enormous credibility. However, what it also does is ensure there’s a strong female lead for the show. This is important to its premise, asThe Wheel of Timeis often praised as a great female-centric fantasy show.
‘The Wheel of Time’ Has Great Storytelling and Complex Characters
If you’re a fan of shows likeGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragon,chances are that you’re also into complex plots that contain rich storytelling components andimbue complex characterswith narrative-driven action and drama. LikeGOTandHOTD,The Wheel of Timeis alsoan adaptation of a novel series. What often makes shows like these so appealing to audiences is how wrapped up in the destinies of the various characters they allow us to become.This immersive natureis a huge draw for viewers who enjoy complex plot structures catering to a myriad of characters with competing interests, desires, agendas, and nuances to bring to the table.
In fact, this exact, often contradictory nature makes such characters engaging in the first place. Their tainted morality and desire to do good while often committing wrongful acts provide for layered characters.HBOWatch’s piecemakes for a compelling read as it sums up how this can be possible through the lens of the famousGOTcharacter known as Lord Varys:
His network of “little birds” gathered intelligence through the exploitation of children, yet he maintained that his ultimate goal was stability for the realm. This contradiction creates a compelling character study that continues to spark debate among fans.
The Wheel of Timeis also known for employing this kind of moral grayness through characters who often contend with moral dilemmas amid competing interests and complex relationships.
‘The Wheel of Time’ Is Still Quite Different From the ‘Game of Thrones’ World
If you’re the kind of fantasy fan who enjoys battles, dark magic, and adult themes in a general sense,The Wheel of Timeis indeed a great alternative while you wait forHouse of the Dragon.However,it should be noted that if your taste in fantasy is specific to shows in the same category as those, you may find it a bit tamer and not as exciting. This is because the shows don’t share the same DNA when it comes toshock and awe tactics.
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That visceral kind of storytelling is an HBO mainstay and is never more evident than it is in shows from theGame of Thronesfranchise. Those shows often grip viewers through their sheer shock value. Going as hard as you’re able to get on violence and sexuality, often to the point ofstretching the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable, are not traits you’ll find inThe Wheel of Time.However,if you love fantasy,cool magical characters, creatures, and battles, there’s still plenty to love about the show.The Wheel of Timeis currently streaming onPrime Video.
