Rosamund Pike on playing powerful, unapologetic women in 'The Wheel of Time'

Rosamund Pike enjoys portraying strong and multifaceted female characters in The Wheel of Time series. The show stands out for its representation of women who are not only rulers but also intelligent, unyielding, and unapologetic. This aspect particularly appeals to Pike, who plays Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai—a member of the influential, all-female order known as the Aes Sedai.
Based on the book series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine as she embarks on a journey with five young individuals, one of whom she believes to be the reincarnation of a powerful, prophesied figure capable of either saving or destroying humanity. The third season, available on Amazon Prime Video, is inspired by The Shadow Rising, the fourth book in the series.
Discussing the gender dynamics of the show, Pike remarked, "Robert Jordan was very forward-thinking in his vision of a world where power rests with women. It’s not that the male characters are less interesting; it’s just rare in fantasy to see so many complex, devious, brilliant, and mysterious women."
She also praised the energy of the cast, adding, "That’s why we’re attracting such a phenomenal ensemble of both older and younger women, who are really relishing the incredible roles they get to play. They get to be bad. They get to be iconic. They get to be manipulative, fun, and funny. For actresses who have spent years playing the wife or the mother, it’s thrilling to step into roles that are extreme, shocking, and challenging—where they can present themselves as warriors."
Pike hinted that the third season will continue expanding its portrayal of powerful women, further pushing the boundaries of complexity and depth in female characters. The upcoming episodes will transport audiences to new lands and cities, including the Aiel Waste—an unforgiving desert landscape home to a highly trained warrior society. Excited for fans to explore this new setting, Pike highlighted the "culture of the highly trained elite army of women."
Reflecting on her career—which includes adaptations of bestselling novels such as Pride & Prejudice, Gone Girl, and Jack Reacher—Pike shared her enthusiasm for playing strong, unapologetic women. "It’s certainly fun for actresses to play such roles," she noted.
She also addressed broader gender dynamics in film, stating, "As long as audiences want to see these roles, there will be more of them. It’s always fascinating to see characters traditionally played by men being reimagined with women in those roles. What interests me most is how actresses craft portrayals that feel completely fresh. They shouldn’t simply mimic male performances."
Expanding on this idea, Pike explained, "A female warrior is not the same as a male warrior. Actresses often model themselves after war movies they’ve seen, imitating how men behave in battle. What’s fascinating about the Aiel Waste is that their warriors are so mysterious. They’re blunt, direct. Female characters in movies are rarely portrayed this way."
With The Wheel of Time continuing to redefine how women are depicted in fantasy, Pike remains passionate about bringing complex, dynamic female characters to life.