The Wheel of Time TV series, set to make a grand comeback on Amazon Prime Video with its second season, owes much of its success to the immense talent of Rosamund Pike. In her role as Moiraine Damodred, she plays a pivotal part in leading the story’s young heroes out of their humble village and into a thrilling realm of fantasy and excitement. Pike’s commitment to the show is evident as she relocated her entire family to Prague, where the production took place. Despite the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pike’s dedication shines through, adding an extra layer of depth to her performance.
Pike not only portrays ardor for The Wheel of Time in the TV series, but she also delves into a new venture of narrating audiobooks for Robert Jordan’s cherished fantasy saga. Macmillan Audio just launched the third installment, The Dragon Reborn, this very week. Pike’s commitment to this beloved series knows no bounds.
Pike’s mom, Caroline Friend, used to sing opera but now she calls the shots as the director for Pike’s audiobooks. It’s pretty cool that Pike and her mom have both been obsessed with audiobooks since Pike was a kid.
When I was young, my family and I used to take road trips where we would cover great distances by car. During these journeys, we would immerse ourselves in the world of books by listening to audio tapes. It was a common practice for us to engage in conversations about the narrators and their ability to captivate us. While there were some narrators whose style didn’t resonate with us, we were fortunate to come across many who truly excelled in bringing the stories to life.
When it comes to narrating audiobooks, Pike has found it to be a seamless extension of her acting journey. She fondly remembers how Restless, a captivating novel by William Boyd, became her entrée into this world. And let’s not forget her remarkable rendition of Pride & Prejudice! This means that the recent Wheel of Time editions mark Pike’s second foray into voicing audiobooks, following her previous involvement in the novel’s screen adaptation. It’s clear that Pike’s talent and passion for storytelling shine through in both mediums.
Transitioning from being an actor to becoming an audiobook narrator is no simple leap. It entails taking on the responsibility of embodying the voices of multiple characters within the narrative, rather than just a single one. Furthermore, as revealed by Pike in an interview with EW, audiobook narration requires seamlessly transitioning between various emotional states throughout the story. This demands a certain level of versatility and adaptability that differs greatly from the traditional acting realm.
Pike explains that the challenge lies in maintaining a delicate balance between intense emotions during the performance of a challenging scene and maintaining clarity and purpose in the narrative segments. This presents a tricky situation as characters may falter and experience emotional upheaval, yet the narration needs to remain strong and unwavering. As an actor, one must embody all the characters involved, which can be quite demanding. It involves understanding the nuances of varying the pace, rhythm, and dynamic range of a soliloquy or passage. Different chapters require different approaches – some demand a more poetic and heartfelt delivery, while others call for an adrenaline-fueled portrayal. Ultimately, this deep exploration of Robert Jordan’s storytelling brings a fresh perspective and understanding.
When it comes to delivering Jordan’s words through audio, Pike goes beyond just creating an audio file. She puts her heart and soul into the performance, adding a physicality to her delivery that the listeners can’t directly see, but can definitely feel. It’s like she becomes the embodiment of Jordan’s words, bringing them to life in a way that captures the essence and emotion behind them. Pike’s dedication and commitment to her craft shine through in every word she speaks, making the final product an experience that goes beyond simply hearing.
According to Friend, when Rosamund performs voice acting, she completely transforms into the character. It’s amazing how you can hear Lan conversing with Moiraine, with little bits of narration like ‘he said’ or ‘she said’ in between. It’s hard to comprehend how she does it. When I observe her in the studio, especially during intense scenes, she really gets into character. However, it’s clear that being close to the microphone is essential for this talent to shine.
I often switch between sitting and standing when I’m working because certain characters, like Siuan Sanche, the Amyrlin Seat, and of course Loial, require me to be on my feet to properly convey their voice and essence. It’s funny how some characters just demand a different physical position to bring them to life.
She says, “You need to really experience it. So let’s say there’s a character who is a nervous guy, you have to imagine yourself as this anxious individual who’s constantly looking up at others and feeling somewhat inferior, yet also has a strong desire to please. You have to invite all these characters into your mind and genuinely understand their thoughts and emotions.”
Working on these audiobooks together was an eye-opener for Pike and Friend as they realized the sheer magnitude of Jordan’s achievement with The Wheel of Time. While initially reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, it becomes evident by the end of the first book that this was merely a touchstone for the series. The experience of collaborating on these audiobooks highlighted the vastness and originality of Jordan’s world.
After giving it a thorough read, my initial impression was, “Oh, this is simple, just like Tolkien,” exclaimed Friend. But soon enough, the realization hit, and it turned out to be anything but straightforward. It grew in scope and size, transforming into an entirely different entity altogether.
According to Pike, it was evident to me that Robert Jordan used the writing of his first book as a way to process and come to grips with his time in Vietnam. As the series progressed, I believe you can sense Jordan grappling with the conflicting aspects of his experiences: the constant battle to find equilibrium, the recognition and acceptance that the world operates because of the coexistence of two opposing forces – good and evil – and the notion that these opposing forces are essential for comprehending and deciphering the complexities of the world we inhabit.
You can now grab the first three installments of The Wheel of Time series, namely The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt, and The Dragon Reborn, all with Pike’s captivating storytelling in the audio version by Macmillan Audio. And mark your calendars, because season 2 of the TV adaptation is set to premiere on Prime Video this September 1st.