Wheel Of Time Season 3 Casting News Hints At When The Aes Sedai Rebellion Will Finally Happen

Warning: Spoilers for Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books

Summary

• Season 3 may see the White Tower split to set the stage for the Aes Sedai rebellion.
• Sheriam’s absence hints at her importance in a possible Salidar storyline in season 4.
• The show has already confirmed Egwene’s future as the Amyrlin Seat, setting up a power shift.

A casting update for The Wheel of Time season 3 seemingly hints at when the show may adapt the highly-anticipated Aes Sedai rebellion. Remembered as a massive turning point in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books, the coup against Siuan Sanche set up several important stories in the source material, including another rebellion. It’s yet to happen in Amazon’s show, but the foundation for it is already forming.

Elaida, a key antagonistic figure in Jordan’s novels, famously overthrew Siuan in The Shadow Rising. Because The Wheel of Time’s show has made so many adjustments to the timeline, it’s been difficult to nail down the timing of the upcoming fight between two opposing Aes Sedai factions, even though it’s known Wheel of Time season 3 is adapting The Shadow Rising. However, comments from one of the actors, as well as the show’s setup for season 3, serve as clues about how long it will take for the show to get to the White Tower split (and what comes next.)

Published in 1992,
The Shadow Rising
is the fourth book in Robert Jordan’s
Wheel of Time
book series.

Egwene’s Salidar Story Looks Likely For Wheel Of Time Season 4

It will take time for the show to properly build up to it

Sheriam actress Rima Te Waita made remarks about her role (or lack thereof) in season 3 that sheds light on how the TV series will handle the rebellion. According to Te Waita, Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins said that Sheriam won’t appear in season 3 “because of the books.” But Judkins also noted to Te Waita that Wheel of Time has plans to use her in season 4 (if greenlit by Amazon). Sheriam being important to season 4 is a strong indicator that the Salidar storyline from the books, which happens as a direct result of the first coup, will take place during that period.

In The Fires of Heaven, the fifth book in the series, Sheriam becomes a major figure in the rebellion against Elaida. Six Aes Sedai, including Sheriam, became known as the Salidar Six. Together, they succeeded in removing Elaida from power. After accomplishing this goal, they picked Egwene to become the White Tower’s new Amyrlin Seat in book 6, The Lord of Chaos. Due to Sheriam’s role in all of this, there’s a good chance that this is why the Blue Ajah member will be needed for season 4.

What The Wheel of Time’s Aes Sedai Storyline Tease Means For Season 3

Siuan Sanche may be overthrown when Wheel of Time returns

The idea that the Salidar Six will take shape in The Wheel of Time season 4 is a sign that the show will get a new Amyrlin Seat in season 3. Theoretically, The Wheel of Time not having room for Sheriam could mean that the White Tower won’t be a big factor in The Wheel of Time season 3’s story. However, it’s important to note that Sheriam wasn’t in The Shadow Rising, and that her forthcoming absence is “because of the books.” Plus, it would make sense for The Wheel of Time to avoid squeezing the rise and downfall of Siuan’s replacement into the same season.

With that being the case, the show may allow the in-fighting between the Aes Sedai to develop across two seasons. Season 3’s events could see certain members of the Aes Sedai stir up trouble in the White Tower and formally depose Siuan Sanche by the end of the season. This could then lead into Sheriam and the rest of the Salidar Six opposing the new Amylrin Seat. If so, The Wheel of Time season 4 could end with Egwene being raised.

The Wheel of Time Already Confirmed That Egwene Will Become The Amylrin Seat

Egwene will eventually gain the highest level of authority within the Aes Sedai

While the timing of the rebellion and the subsequent takeover of the White Tower is in question, whether or not these events actually happen is not. The Wheel of Time has made multiple changes to the books, of course, but power changing hands at the White Tower is a move that the show itself has already confirmed will occur. This happened as early as season 1 when Min Farshaw had a Viewing of Egwene that involved a “white flame.” The white flame is the symbol of the Amylrin Seat’s power, and because Min’s visions are never wrong, this can be taken as proof of what the show has in store for Egwene.

That says a lot about the steps the character has to make in the near future. After all, The Wheel of Time season 2 hardly advanced her journey toward this point. She was only in the White Tower for a short time and didn’t progress much in her training. She’s still a novice, meaning that The Wheel of Time may get to The Shadow Risingbefore Egwene even reaches the Accepted level. That means season 3 will need to put considerable focus on integrating Egwene into White Tower politics and making her someone the Salidar Six would even consider for the role of Amyrlin Seat in The Wheel of Time.

How The Wheel Of Time Has Already Set Up The White Tower Split

The show is already gearing up for Siaun to be removed from power

In addition to what it’s teased for Egwene, the show has dropped other hints about the coming power struggle in the White Tower. Across both seasons, Liandrin has made numerous comments alluding to her belief that Siuan won’t be in power for long. This goes hand-in-hand with the notion that Liandrin, who has already been plotting within the White Tower, will take Elaida’s role in the story and lead the move to depose Siuan. Arguably the show’s biggest setup for these events, though, is Siuan losing to Lanfear in The Wheel of Time season 2.

The scene of Siuan looking utterly defeated at the end of the episode foreshadowed a dark new chapter in her Wheel of Time story. It shouldn’t be forgotten that none of the Aes Sedai knew why they were really in Cairhein. Rand’s escape – and being proclaimed the Dragon Reborn – will naturally raise some meaningful questions among the Aes Sedai about how much Siuan knew. The fact that she brought them there at all should make it clear that she knew more than she let on. Since her secrecy surrounding Moiraine’s search for Dragon Reborn is what led to her stilling in the books, it stands to reason the endgame will be quite similar in the show.