The Wheel of Time season 3 adapts and expands on what is widely regarded as one of the best books in Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy series through huge character moments, especially for Rand and Moiraine. After the finale of The Wheel of Time season 2, Rand has been declared the Dragon Reborn, with many of the world’s most important–and dangerous–figures becoming aware of his existence. For Moiraine, that revelation comes with the realization that her charge is in more danger than ever.

Josha Stradowski and Hallow Road star Rosamund Pike return as Rand and Moiraine, respectively, for the new season. In its already-released episodes, audiences have seen their characters put to the test–Rand has been shown that his very presence is putting his friends in danger, and Moiraine has teamed up with a mortal enemy to advance a rare common goal. With big moments teased in The Wheel of Time season 3 trailer, Rand and Moiraine have even bigger things ahead of them.

ScreenRant spoke with Josha Stradowski and Rosamund Pike about their work on The Wheel of Time season 3. Stradowski spoke about Rand’s journey in the new season, specifically in terms of how the character has begun to embrace his power and consider himself to be the Dragon Reborn. Pike reflected on her character’s morality, especially in terms of the show’s surprising Moiraine/Lanfear alliance.

Rand Has Finally Accepted His Fate In The Wheel Of Time Season 3

“That Changes Everything”

Image via Prime Video

At certain moments, The Wheel of Time season 3 reminds viewers that the Dragon Reborn was a simple farmboy in the not-so-distant past, which is key as the new season sees Rand embracing his destiny like never before. “He accepts himself more as the Dragon, and that changes everything,” said Josha Stradowski. “He’s owning it way more than he’s ever done before,” the actor continued, “There’s this feeling of where he needs to go, which is hooking him. He’s almost obsessed about it. He’s looking for answers in a way more active way … he really wants the truth.”

This newfound confidence and curiosity will put Rand at odds with the people around him, Stradowski revealed: “[People] wanted the Dragon–he didn’t. Now he wants it, and they don’t want that.” Stradowski suggests Rand can handle that in service of his immediate purpose, saying, “I think he also wants to reveal himself in order to do what he needs to do, [which is] find the People of the Dragon.” Ultimately, “He’s standing up way more for himself than he has ever done before, and it makes other people around him move in weirder ways.”

Rosamund Pike Defends Moiraine’s Seemingly Shifting Morality

“Where I See It And Where An Audience Sees It Might Be Different”

To Stradowski’s point above, Moiraine is a character who has made surprising decisions in the face of Rand’s declaration and independence. “I think Moiraine is very steadfast in her pursuit of what is right, and she’s taking risks that she believes are valid,” Rosamund Pike shared. She continued: “She’s not desperate at this point, but she knows the other Forsaken are loose. That’s very, very frightening. She needs Rand, who is gaining more agency, to still allow her to wield an influence over him.”

That feeling was the backdrop for Moiraine’s surprising decision in The Wheel of TIme season 3 premiere–teaming with Lanfear to separate the Two Rivers group. “As long as [Rand is] bolstered by his friends, she feels she’s losing agency,” Pike explained, “She co-opts Lanfear to help her distance him from the Two Rivers crew.”

“Of course,” Pike continued, “another person enters the mix–a Gray Man appears on the scene, which Moiraine assumes is Lanfear overstepping the terms of the deal. In fact, it’s not Lanfear. It’s something and someone that terrifies even Lanfear herself.” Pike praised that moment as unique to The Wheel of Time: “That’s what’s so interesting … we have these archvillains, and yet there are people beyond them who scare the archvillains. So, the depths of terror are increasing in this season.”

New episodes of The Wheel of Time release Thursdays on Prime Video.