Although our reality lacks fire-breathing dragons, sorcerers, and magical objects, we share much more in common with the fantasy genre than we realize–especially in our journeys through daily life. In the high-concept fantasy series The Wheel of Time, which adapts the beloved cult novels by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, themes of humanity, morality, fate, and time resonate throughout the show and the real world. Characters in the story are reborn and experience several different lifetimes, challenging the concepts of fate and questioning what true destiny really means in the circle of life. Robert Jordan emphasizes the importance and invincibility of memory, even after death. However, the most immersive aspect of this series is none other than its beloved characters.

One of these cherished characters is named Perrin Aybara, who is defined by his immense strength and loyalty to his fellow companions. For British actor Marcus Rutherford, who portrays the reserved giant blacksmith among an ensemble of characters played by Rosamund Pike, Josha Stradowski, Daniel Henney, and Zoë Robins, the world of the show and the cast have become Rutherford’s family and second home. As the show recently premiered its third season on Amazon Prime on March 13th, Rutherford was able to step out of his armor and re-enter our linear reality to speak with us about Perrin and the concept of time as a mortal performer.

“It's quite nice to return to that location and feel like a different person, for both myself and my character as well,” Rutherford reflects on the experience while filming the third season from his London flat. As Rutherford began his journey as Perrin over six years ago, the concept of time featured in the show has mirrored his personal life as a performer and his relationship with time. Perrin, as a character, is known for his unique physicality, an intimidating hulking presence that juxtaposes with his personality when first introduced as a more reserved, conscientious being. Rutherford relates to Perrin in this manner as he has a similar physicality. “I think it says in the books that he's aware of how big he is, and he's scared that he might injure someone because of his power. I think it is fascinating to play someone who is very conscious of their physicality. Naturally, I’m also very aware at times of whether I’m in a club or a festival, or on the tube, and you just become conscious of your size. Sometimes, you kind of overcompensate and find yourself apologizing.”

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Simultaneously, the show’s expansiveness and in-depth character exploration have developed over time, reflecting its longevity. Rutherford, who once voiced some apprehension about the show all those years ago, recognizes the precarious nature of the industry, where shows can be canceled unexpectedly. “We feel very lucky that they've committed to three seasons of the show. I think that's how TV was meant to be and grow. We feel very fortunate that we've been given the time to develop. They've allowed the show to mold, change, and adapt to whatever the climate is,” he adds.

However, adapting such a cherished world with an extensive fanbase presents an intimidating challenge. It requires a delicate balance, a mindset Rutherford grappled with from the moment he booked the role. A blend of strength, delicacy, and determination that he channeled, much like his character, Perrin. As a longtime fan of the fantasy genre, particularly his love for The Lord of the Rings series, he understands the fans' hesitance and the importance of maintaining a positive, respectful relationship with both them and the source material. “They're the ones who have been there from the start; they've imagined these characters for decades before.” 

There is another piece of the puzzle that fits into navigating the situation, as there is a tightrope that the showrunners, writers, directors, and especially the cast must walk. For Rutherford, it’s about harnessing the power and building blocks of the source material while incorporating elements of himself into Perrin and introducing new aspects of the character that can be explored only through the medium of a television series. It’s a leap of faith, allowing intuition to take the reins. The act of fostering a relationship with the character and the show itself is a long-term process. “I think you just have to trust yourself, trust the show, and just do what you think is right and connect with the character. As the seasons go on, it's like its own show now, and I think that's probably the best thing. It's just being viewed as its own entity. I think that's how it should be because the books are different, and it's a different kind of show.”

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The show’s previous season proved to be exactly that—a different show willing to take risks, instilling excitement and shock within its viewers, but most importantly, inviting them to embrace change. With season two, new and unexpected character arcs were introduced for characters like Moiraine and Rand, along with shocking character deaths that deviate from the books, including the tragic demise of Hopper, Perrin's wolf companion–a moment that changes Perrin forever and propels us into the formative journey of self-discovery in season three. Rutherford shares his excitement for Perrin’s evolution this season, believing viewers will finally see a Perrin they have never witnessed before. From the introduction of a love interest for Perrin, Faile Bashere played by Isabella Bucceri, to new aspects of Perrin’s wardrobe, Rutherford channels that excitement and enthusiasm into his performance. “This season, I've got like, these kinds of amazing, almost like military armor things, and it's almost like, I remember thinking it's a bit like the bat suit or something, it warrants a certain performance. You can't shy away from the performance, whatever it is, if it's someone who's royal, whether it's someone who's a warrior, whether it's someone who's incredibly powerful, the costume kind of demands a certain level of performance, and it just assists with that. Similarly, I think when someone comes in who he thinks is quite exciting and quite feisty and quite powerful, and they, for whatever reason, think he's like a leader, or they're attracted to him. I think that's sort of a real moment for him where he starts to see himself differently. When I look at season three, I see different voices, sounds, shapes, and colors in people's performances. I just think it's amazing. I'm so proud of it.”

As The Wheel of Time embarks on its third season, the large-scale production and extensive world-building certainly do not shy away from the essence of the fantasy genre. It is easy to get lost in a world so mesmerizing and immersive, providing a sought-after escape for both fans and performers. While we dream of living multiple lives, as many characters in the show get to experience, or wielding unearthly powers that we aspire to harness, at the core of our being lies our humanity and mortality. It is the power of connection and an investment in the relationships between the characters in the show, reflecting those we cherish in our own lives. At the end of the day, following the show's themes, as Perrin is loyal and grateful for his companions, Rutherford agrees, saying that the most critical part of life is “having good people around you.”

Photographed by Karl Hughill

Styled by Steven Huang

Grooming: Sven Bayerbach at Carol Hayes Management using Daimon Barber

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