Two of the first characters introduced in Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time are women with a humble background and hidden, inner power. Nynaeve, played by Zoë Robins, is the Wisdom of the village. At 25 years old, she’s often thought to be too young for her leadership position. Madeleine Madden portrays Egwene, who just reached the age where she’s considered an adult. Nynaeve recognizes Egwene’s potential to become a Wisdom, but once they leave the Two Rivers, that same potential may lead her to a future as an Aes Sedai instead.
Robins and Madden spoke to CBR in an exclusive interview, discussing how Nynaeve and Egwene share a special relationship of trust and respect — exemplified in a scene from the first trailer in which Nynaeve tests Egwene‘s courage by pushing her off of a cliff into the river.
CBR: Nynaeve and Egwene have a kind of beautiful mentor-protegee relationship. How do you think both of them will handle that relationship being threatened by the things that are coming for them?
Zoë Robins: Yeah, I think, as you say, it’s been a beautiful opportunity to show a real sisterly platonic relationship that is just filled with pure love. I think it’s quite rare that you see that onscreen and explored so specifically, and with such detail and nuance. So it’s been, for me, it’s been a dream to play. [to Madden] You’re probably over me. [laughs] But, they love each other. Nynaeve in particular will do anything for Egwene. So I think that can give you an idea of how they navigate what’s coming for them in the season.
Madeleine, do you agree?
Madeleine Madden: Yeah. Egwene just thinks the world of Nynaeve, and where we find the women at the beginning of our story is exactly like you said, she looks at Nynaeve as a mentor, and is just so inspired by her and being an independent woman and following her dreams. They have such a strong bond that, even when they’re in the most dire situations, brings them back together. It’s just been amazing having Zoë as my way of life, so wonderful.
And was it also wonderful having her push you into a river?
Madden: She gives a good push.
Were there any other physical challenges that either of you faced?
Robins: [laughs] Well, maybe!
There’s a lot going on in those first few episodes!
Madden: Yes.
Robins: I think all the characters go through something quite physically demanding and emotionally demanding. Yeah, I wonder whether we — I don’t know if we have much — as a way of answering without giving too many spoilers. I think we had a month before we started shooting and doing three hours of stunts, and an hour of horse riding five days a week before we began filming to prepare us and build us up to what we could expect our characters going through. That was pretty grueling if you haven’t exercised for a couple of months, maybe a couple of years.
Horseback riding is intense. There was definitely a lot of that, so how did that feel?
Madden: I think with horse riding, I was just one of those people that was like, “Okay, I’m probably never gonna know how to horse ride. That’s one ton of meat that has a brain and will do whatever it wants and I’m just gonna respect that.” But, it’s an amazing gift. It’s been one of my favorite aspects of [The Wheel of Time], learning how to horse ride. I try and continue to do it when I’m back home in Australia, and I’m not working. So I’ve loved that.
The Wheel of Time premieres its debut season on Prime Video on Nov. 19.
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