'The Wheel of Time's 3D Trailer Immerses Fans In Randland

The Wheel of Time is the next big British-esque fantasy series heading to streaming. Based on the 14-book fantasy series of the same name by Robert Jordan, the series is set in a fantasy of the rural medieval British countryside that slowly expands to cover an entire continent's worth of different countries. The series, which is coming to Amazon in November, is expected to be viewed as the next Game of Thrones, featuring a sprawling cast of U.K. and international actors. And the latest trailer indeed suggests the show is one to watch.

After the first trailer, which didn't do much other than give a feel for the world and people fans would find themselves in. The new full-length trailer sets up the story properly. Like most fantasy series, it's the Chosen One narrative. However, unlike most, where there's one guy who is the hero from the jump, this one spreads that Chosen One energy around a bit with an ensemble of Chosen Folk, all of whom have parts to play in the fight between good and evil. And evil is pretty scary looking, with pale-faced, eyeless Myrddraal and their monstrous Trolloc army, both of which get ample screen time in this teaser.

But the real reason this trailer deserves attention from fans and those curious about the series is that Amazon went all out and made it a 3D trailer. That means fans can freeze the shot at any moment and spin around the room, or the field, or the first or the mountainsides and see where the characters are, experience the world the way they do. At Amazon's Wheel of Time panel at New York Comic-Con earlier this month, the cast all talked about how amazing it was to film this series, how utterly immersive the experience was whether they were on the road or in the Two Rivers. Now fans can get a feel for what the actors experienced.

Here's the series' synopsis:

Set in a world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it, the story follows Moiraine, a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.

The Wheel of Time cast is an expansive ensemble led by Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) as Moiraine, the Aes Sedai who comes to the Two Rivers and leads the Chosen Group out on their adventure. She's accompanied by Daniel Henny (Criminal Minds) as al'Lan Mandragoran, her Warder. Here's a scene from the series-opening episode where the two arrive in the Two Rivers.

The rest of the show's main heroes include Madeleine Madden (Picnic at Hanging Rock) as Egwene al'Vere, Josha Stradowski (High Flyers) as Rand al'Thor, Zoë Robins (Black Christmas) as Nynaeve al'Meara, Marcus Rutherford (Bulletproof) as Perrin Aybara, and Barney Harris (Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk) as Mat Cauthon. (Dónal Finn (The Witcher) will repace Harris as Mat in Season 2.) Fans will also probably recognize co-stars Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones) and Sophie Okonedo (His Dark Materials). The rest of the roster is rounded out by Kae Alexander (Ready Player One), Hammed Animashun (Black Mirror), Alexandre Willaume (The Last Kingdom), and Johann Myers (Small Axe).

The Wheel of Time Season 1 will premiere on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, with three episodes on Amazon. The first season runs eight installments, all told, with the finale streaming on Dec. 24. The series has already been renewed for a second season.