Interview: Zoë Robins On The Wheel Of Time Season 3

3 days ago

Zoë Robins stars as Nynaeve in The Wheel of Time – here's what to expect from the series

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The third season of Prime’s hit fantasy series The Wheel of Time is underway. We sat down with Zoë Robins, who stars as Nynaeve, to hear all about it.

Interview: Zoë Robins

Hi Zoe, how’s life going at the moment?

Life is treating me well. I’m back home in New Zealand, and we’ve just had a pretty amazing summer.

You can currently be seen in The Wheel of Time season 3 – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

Season 3 starts with a bang and keeps building from there. If you love high-fantasy with an intricate magic system, worldbuilding and interesting characters then you’ll love the show.

What can we expect from season 3?

It’s more expansive than our past seasons, so we’re meeting new people and travelling to different locations. I think there are more moments spent with certain characters so you really get to know them. It’s a lot darker too.

You play Nynaeve – how would you describe her?

Nynaeve is forthright, stubborn and temperamental. She’s also fiercely protective of her friends and cares for them deeply.

What is it like playing her?

I’ve loved playing Nynaeve. She’s so much more than how she initially seems on the surface. At her core she’s a softie, who struggles with her emotions and her place in the world.

Did you learn anything new about her this season?

It takes her a while, but she can have fun!

How do you get into character?

It depends. If it’s been a while, for example between seasons, finding her voice and clocking how she speaks and relates to people usually helps me get right back in. Costume also helps a lot.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Perhaps rehearsing and shooting my final scene of season 3…

Anything you’re especially looking forward to fans seeing this season?

Episodes 4 and 7.

Ceara Coveney (Elayne Trakand), Madeleine Madden (Egwene al’Vere), Zoë Robins (Nynaeve al’Meara) in The Wheel of Time Season 3. (Julie Vrabelova/Prime)

What has been your favourite project to date?

Probably The Wheel of Time as I’ve been afforded the most time to explore a character, who happens to be very complex. And I’ve met some incredible people who have become close friends. It doesn’t always go like that, so we’ve been really lucky.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

Truly, I learn from everyone. Everyone has their own ways they approach their character or how they navigate being on set. I try to watch and learn and take what may help me.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

Since I’ve played in the fantasy genre for a while, it’d be nice to do something more grounded in reality. A drama or romance, maybe?

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

I have a very long list! Off the top of my head: Martin Scorsese, Terrence Malick, Paul Thomas Anderson, Mark Rylance, Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

An actor! I think I liked the idea of being a zookeeper too. Until I learned about the maintenance and upkeep of the enclosures…

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be?

Keep going!

How can we all live a little bit better?

With more empathy.