The Wheel of Time is an American fantasy television series developed by Rafe Judkins for Amazon Prime Video. The series is based on the book series of the same name by Robert Jordan. It features an ensemble cast led by Rosamund Pike.
The eight-episode first season premiered on Prime Video in November 2021. In May 2021, before the first season premiered, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered in September 2023. The series was renewed for a third season in July 2022, over a year ahead of the debut of the second season. The third season premiered in March 2025. In May 2025, the series was canceled after three seasons.
The Wheel of Time received generally positive reviews from critics, and has been nominated for a Saturn Award.
Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan is a character introduced in season 3 of The Wheel of Time television series. She is portrayed by Shohreh Aghdashloo.
We had an on camera interview with Shohreh Aghdashloo about her performance in The Wheel of Time;
Elaida is a powerful Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah and the advisor to Queen Morgase Trakand of Andor. She is a proficient politician and channeler.
Elaida appears as a woman in her seventies. She has a lightly tanned white complexion, and both her eyes and hair are dark. She often wears her hair in elaborate updos, and, as is typical of a Red Ajah, she goes around dressed in red. However, Elaida is different from her sisters in that her gowns and jewelry are much more ostentatious and luxurious, probably due to her role as Morgase’s closest royal advisor in Andor.
Elaida is a rather powerful and feared Aes Sedai. She has been shown to be capable of instantly slit Amico’s throat with just a flick of her wrist with the One Power, and binding and torturing Joiya with additional weaves. She also has the Talent of Foretelling.
Shohreh Aghdashloo is an Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress renowned for her powerful and nuanced performances. Born in Tehran in 1952, she began her career on the Iranian stage before gaining recognition in films like “The Chess Game of the Wind.” After relocating to the United States, she achieved critical acclaim for her role in “House of Sand and Fog” (2003), which earned her an Oscar nomination, making history as the first Iranian actress to do so.
Aghdashloo’s diverse career spans film, television, and theatre. She has delivered memorable performances in films like “The Nativity Story,” “The Stoning of Soraya M.” (for which she won a Satellite Award), and “The Lake House,” and won an Emmy for her portrayal of Sajida Talfah in the miniseries “House of Saddam.” Her recent work includes voice acting in the Netflix film “Damsel” and the video game “Assassin’s Creed Mirage,” and a role in the animated series “Arcane.” On television, she is known for her appearances in “24,” “The Expanse” (as Chrisjen Avasarala), and “The Punisher.”
- Aghdashloo’s talent extends beyond the screen, with stage credits including “House of Bernarda Alba” and voice work in video games like “Mass Effect” and “Destiny.” She is also a celebrated audiobook narrator and the author of the memoir “The Alley of Love and Yellow Jasmines.” In recognition of her artistic achievements and commitment to social justice, she was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2015.
