Perrin and Moiraine from The Wheel of Time

Includes minor SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time books, which could end up in the TV show!

Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time adaptation has made some questionable changes from the source material, but one recent casting announcement seems to be making up for one of them. Based on the prolific fantasy Wheel of Time book series by Robert Jordan, Amazon’s big attempt at the fantasy game kicked off in 2021 to mixed reviews, with many long-term readers criticizing the numerous and often needless narrative changes, especially those that pertain to major components of the main characters.

The Wheel of Time season 3 returns in early 2025, with the next set of episodes planned to cover The Shadow Rising and The Fires of Heaven. Marcus Rutherford plays Perrin Aybara in The Wheel of Time’s cast, terrifically bringing the classic fantasy protagonist to life. Perrin is one of the three boys who set out from the Two Rivers alongside Matt and Rand, and like his friends, the books see him exploring his relationship with being Ta’veren after growing up as a modest blacksmith’s apprentice. Perrin likes to create, not to kill, but the narrative forces him to.

Introducing Faile In The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Can Make Up For Perrin’s Botched Backstory

Faile Can Help Perrin Develop Similar To The Books

Perrin Aybara looking off into the distance in Wheel of Time Perrin and Bain in Wheel of Time season 2 Hopper and Perrin looking at each other outdoors in Wheel of Time season 2. Perrin frowning with blood on his face in The Wheel of Time season 2. Perrin Wheel of Time yellow eyes Perrin Aybara looking off into the distance in Wheel of Time Perrin and Bain in Wheel of Time season 2 Hopper and Perrin looking at each other outdoors in Wheel of Time season 2. Perrin frowning with blood on his face in The Wheel of Time season 2. Perrin Wheel of Time yellow eyes

The first battle in the Two Rivers is much different in the TV show from what it’s like in the books, particularly for Perrin. The instance in the series sees Perrin having a wife whom he kills in a moment of confusion and peril, believing her to be an attacking trolloc. It’s a tragic moment for this character, but it’s a confusing choice to make, given that it’s so different from what he experiences in the first novel. However, season 3 has added numerous new cast members, which can be seen below, including an important one related to Perrin.

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The Latest Wheel of Time Cast Additions

Actor
Wheel of Time Character
Previous Credits

Isabella Bucceri
Faile Bashere
Finally Me, Everything in Between

Nukâka Coster-Waldau
Bair
Thin Ice, Anori

Salóme Gunnarsdóttir
Melanie
The Lazarus Project

Björn Landberg
Rhuac
Galileo Mystery, Unter uns

Synnøve Macody Lund
Melindhra
Saw X, Ragnarok

Faile Bashere is a Saldaean noblewoman who’s introduced in The Dragon Reborn, meaning she’ll be arriving in the series a little bit late. Still, it’s better late than never, with Isabella Bucceri taking on the role of Perrin’s primary love interest, hopefully steering him back on course to what his narrative in the books is about. A huge component of their relationship was that he was a gawky, modest blacksmith while she was a noblewoman, making him feel unworthy of her.

The Wheel Of Time’s Perrin Change Still Presents A Challenge For His Faile Romance

Perrin’s Ex-Wife Has To Be Addressed In His New Romance

Perrina and Egwene walk with the Tinkers in The Wheel of Time

Given the enormous changes to Perrin’s story, incorporating Faile won’t be particularly easy. Not only will they have to get over their own barriers from the books, but they’ll also have the barrier of Perrin having been previously married. Knowing the version of Faile from the novels, this is something she’d have strong feelings about, and the Wheel of Time show can’t just ignore it. They made the change, and now it needs to remain part of Perrin’s character for the duration of the series.