Robert Jordan's iconic fantasy book series, The Wheel of Time, puts its characters in many perilous situations, and Prime Video's adaptation isn't skimping on the danger. Star Madeleine Madden discussed the moment in the show's first trailer in which her character, Egwene, gets pushed off a cliff.
Alongside other cast members, Madden was interviewed by The Dusty Wheel YouTube show about the upcoming series, and during the conversation, she touched upon her decision to not use a stunt double for one of the more intense scenes. "I think you know, this was such a big moment for Egwene," she explained. "I had the option of having a wonderful stunt performer do it for me, and I was very adamant with our wonderful director that I wanted to do this, because it was such an important moment for Egwene and it would just kill me to think that somebody else did this."
Madden continued, "You know, this was the beginning of her initiation into the Women's Circle, and I felt like this was the beginning of my initiation, playing Egwene."
"You get some kind of bragging rights as well, which is not so bad!" she added, laughing. "Zoë [Robins, playing Nynaeve] was really wonderful. I mean, there's a lovely video, actually -- which, when the show comes out, we can post one day -- of, you know, Zoë kind of just cuddling me, and talking in my ear and making sure I'm okay, and then just launching me off," Madden continued. Nynaeve is the youngest Wisdom in the history of the Two Rivers, who serves as Egwene's mentor in the early parts of the story.
In the interview, Madden further elaborated on her emotional experience before filming the scene. She explained, "Yeah, but you know, it was a really important moment, and I think that was something that when I was reading the script, I'm like, 'Okay, you know, I'm sure it'll be in a studio.' No, it was not in a studio, then I saw the call sheet of 'Slovenia cliff,' and I was like, 'Okay, this is happening! Rafe Judkins hates me!' No, it was a very, very special moment for me and the character both."
This recent interview and the trailer aren't the only sneak peeks fantasy fans have had of the upcoming television series; new key art featuring monstrous Trollocs and a series of The Wheel of Time character posters have teased the show's epic scale and tone.
The Wheel of Time is scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Nov. 19.
Source: The Dusty Wheel