Given that it’s based on the hugely popular and bestselling series of novels by Robert Jordan, it’s not surprising that Amazon’s The Wheel of Time has quickly become one of the best fantasy series on television. As is usually the case with such series, one of its great strengths is its ability to craft compelling main characters.
Just as importantly, however, it also features side characters who, for a variety of reasons – their own dynamic screen personality, their interesting backstories, or simply their appearance – can be said to possess main character energy and who would make great series in their own right.
Tam Al’Thor
As the far of Rand, Tam has always played a key part in his son’s life and upbringing (and helps to explain why he is one of the Amazon series' most likable characters). While he only appears briefly in a few episodes, it’s still clear that he is a fascinating person. Aside from everything else, the fact that he served in the army and was the one responsible for saving Rand from the slopes of a fiery mountain would make for a great television series.
Padan Fain
The success of any great fantasy series lies in its villains, and there are few fantasy villains quite as chilling as Padan Fain. With his sinister whistle and his brittle cheer, he’s designed to strike fear into the hearts of almost anyone that comes into with him. At the same time, however, he also has a sinister sort of charm that would serve him well if he were the main character of his own story, and his strange allegiance to the dark one makes him that much more fascinating.
Thom Merrilin
Given that he is willing to sacrifice his life for both Mat and Rand, it’s clear that Thom Merrilin should be seen as one of the series’ bravest characters. However, he is also one of its most fascinating, and he has obviously led a very eventful life even before he comes into with the two young men from the Two Rivers. Given that he seems to know far more about them than they let on, and that he’s able to wield a knife with deadly accuracy, he could definitely hold his own as a main character.
Logain Ablar
Of all the characters that appear in The Wheel of Time, Logain is arguably one of the most tragic. Burdened with the ability to channel and with the madness that comes with it, he nevertheless seems to be a good man.
He is also a tremendously charismatic and charming one, as evidenced by the fact that he is able to convince many people to flock to his banner and to fight for him, even knowing that they will be opposed by the Aes Sedai themselves. He’s clearly someone with a grand destiny in front of him.
Ila
As one of the Tinkers, Ila has taken a vow of pacifism, and she will let no one get in the way of that, including the sinister and vindictive Children of the Light. What really gives her main character energy, however, is her backstory, as it’s clear that she has endured quite a lot of heartache in her life, including the slaughter of her own child. The fact that she maintains the Way of the Leaf even despite such heartache suggests that there is a core of iron to her that is not to be underestimated.
Lady Amalisa
Even though she has enough ability to channel to warrant learning at the White Tower itself, the Lady Amalisa isn’t powerful enough to have been raised to be an Aes Sedai. However, she still shows that she is a formidable person, one who is very willing and able to sacrifice herself for her people in their fight against the Dark One and his armies.
Unfortunately, she is also something of a tragic character, since doing so ends with her sacrificing her life and very nearly bringing about the death of Nynaeve.
Liandrin
Liandrin may not be the most likable of characters in The Wheel of Time, but she still has quite a lot of main character energy. Her motivations remain somewhat murky at the end of the first season, but with her blazing eyes, her clenched jaw, and her ability to bring people to her side, it’s clear that she has what it takes to be a main character in her own right. She will dominate anyone who gets in her path, and she has already shown she wants to sculpt the White Tower according to her own vision.
Siuan Sanche
Siuan Sanche is arguably one of the best and most intelligent characters to have emerged during the first season, and she wields her power with a grace and an indomitability that is the envy of almost everyone else serving in the White Tower. The only one who can come close to matching her intensity is Moiraine. Though she has a relatively minor role to play in the first season, it’s already clear that she has what it takes to be a main character in her own right and to gain the allegiance of viewers and Aes Sedai alike.
Alanna
As a member of the Green Ajah, Alanna seems to have an innate charisma that is hard to resist. However, she is also a formidable fighter, and her command of the Power is such that there are few that would be foolish enough to go up against her in a one-to-one battle. She has main character energy to spare, for she also shows that she is capable of kindness, as her intimate conversations with Moiraine make clear.
Agelmar
Like his sister Amalisa, Agelmar is a person who takes his duty to his people and to the lands south of the Blight very seriously. He is a charismatic commander, someone who is able to bring people along simply by the force of his personality. And, as was the case with his sister, what gives him his main character energy is his tragic story arc, for he knows that his attempts to keep the forces of the Dark One at bay are almost certainly doomed to failure, but he goes out to fight anyway.
Amazon Prime - Watch Thousands of Movies & TV Shows Anytime