Yanuki
TV / Fantasy Series
Prime Video's epic fantasy series, *The Wheel of Time*, is making waves in its third season by consciously expanding its exploration of LGBTQ+ relationships and identities. Showrunner Rafe Judkins recently shared insights into how the adapt...
Showrunner Rafe Judkins, who identifies as gay, found personal resonance in *The Wheel of Time* books, particularly their coded queer elements absent in other fantasy he read growing up. Adapting the series, Judkins aimed to bring this context to life for modern audiences, making the subtext visible. "I feel like part of our job as artists who are adapting something is to bring it to life, not just word-for-word but to also bring its context to life," Judkins told The Hollywood Reporter.
A cornerstone of this approach is the relationship between Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) and Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo). Described as "pillow friends" in the novels, the show portrays their deep love explicitly. Judkins deemed this essential, as their bond drives significant plot points. "To me, the show didn’t make sense without that relationship being explicit," he stated, adding that having a casually queer lead character in a major fantasy show was a key motivation.
The series deliberately avoids depicting homophobia, a choice Judkins believes fundamentally changes how identity is perceived within the world. Without external societal pressure, he suggests, the need for rigid identity labels might lessen. This philosophy extends to characters like Moiraine, whom Judkins and Pike agreed doesn't necessarily fit neatly into modern labels like "lesbian" or "bisexual" within the show's context.
Season 3 further explores diverse relationship structures through the Aiel culture and the concept of "First-Sisters," a primary bond between two women. The show highlights the developing connection between Elayne (Ceara Coveney) and Aviendha (Ayoola Smart), emphasizing their bond as central, reflecting the extensive time they spend together in the books, even more so than with Rand al'Thor. The series also examines the grief and dynamics within Alanna's (Priyanka Bose) polyamorous relationship with her Warders following a loss, presenting a complex emotional landscape rarely seen on television.
Even platonic bonds, like the deep connection between an Aes Sedai and her Warder (e.g., Moiraine and Lan), are presented with a depth that Judkins feels can be perceived as queer simply because such strong, non-sexual male-female friendships are uncommon in media.
The show builds upon the books' textual and subtextual elements, making some coded relationships more explicit while staying true to the spirit and diversifying representation. Showrunner Rafe Judkins aimed to bring the underlying context of the books to the forefront for a modern audience.
The creators made a conscious, deliberate choice during the first season's writing process to depict a fantasy world free from this specific prejudice. This allows queer characters and relationships to exist naturally within the narrative without needing to justify their existence against societal opposition.
It's an Aiel cultural practice where two women form a primary, central bond, akin to marriage in commitment and importance. They may or may not have other relationships (including with men), but the First-Sister bond is core to their lives.
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