Digital Cover: Ceara Coveney
Talent: Ceara Coveney
Photographer: David Reiss
Styling: Holly White
Make-Up: Sara Hill
Hair: Sophie Sugarman
Words: Juri Watanabe
Managing Editor: Chrissy Wang
EIC: Anthony Vu Cao
Special Thanks: Pinnacle PR
How did reprising the role of Elayne Trakand in Season 3 challenge you creatively compared to previous seasons?
It’s really special to be able to return to a character. Last season, I focussed on bringing Elayne to life as authentically as possible while also putting my personal stamp on her. This season, I found more freedom - a chance to let her breathe. The creative challenge was to dive deeper into her inner world and explore different dimensions of her personality.
What new dimensions are you excited to explore with Elayne's character in the upcoming season?
We meet her family in episode two, which was both exciting and daunting. I had to consider how Elayne interacts with the people who have known her, her whole life and explore the dynamics that have shaped her into the person she is today.
Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment from Season 3 that had a personal impact on you?
So, there’s a scene- it’s very short - but it required me to work closely with our movement director, Scarlett Mackmin, to choreograph a movement sequence. We spent hours improvising, exploring different motions, and shaping this contemporary dance like sequence.
I grew up dancing; after school, my mum would always be driving me to different dance lessons. So to find myself on this huge production in Prague, using the skills I’d learned back in my dance schools in Swindon, felt like a full-circle moment. It might seem small, but in that moment, I felt like I could see all the years of hard work and all the small steps I’d taken to lead me there.
In what ways has your personal life influenced your interpretation of Elayne in this latest season?
In many ways, I can really see myself in Elayne. Her scenes with her mother felt very emotional when I first read them. I had to set that aside while filming them because Elayne is really finding her strength in those moments, she’s standing her ground rather than giving in to emotion. But as an outsider looking in, I find her struggle to meet her mother’s expectations very moving and relatable. Obviously, it’s not on the same scale, but I think everyone in some way wants to make their parents proud while carving out their own path.
How has working on a fantasy epic like The Wheel of Time helped you evolve both professionally and personally?
It has been a complete game changer for me both professionally and personally. Not only has it allowed me to work as an actor full time but it also served as a crash course in screen acting. I quickly learned that there’s so much more to working on a show of this scale than just performance - the technical aspects and the ability to adapt quickly. Now, I honestly feel like if I can take that on, I can take on anything. I walk on to any other sets with a level of confidence that I simply didn’t have before and that self-assurance has carried over into my personal life too.
What lessons from filming Season 3 have shaped your approach to new roles and career opportunities?
More than anything, this season reminded me that the most rewarding experiences often come from pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. I want to continue taking roles that challenge me, that demand something new from me and push me to grow as an artist. Oh, and to make sure I’m looking after myself along the way!
How do you balance the demands of such an expansive series with your personal life and well-being?
It’s definitely challenging. Working on a show of this scale demands a lot of your time and energy. Even if I’m not on set filming, I’m usually at a rehearsal or fitting or skill lesson. So your “time off”, isn’t really time off. On my first season, I don’t think I managed that balance very well and I ended up losing myself a little along the way. Now, I try to make a conscious effort to carve out time for myself and prioritise the things that are important to me. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
Reflecting on your journey, what aspects of your character's evolution resonate with your own growth as an individual?
I can really relate to Elayne’s journey stepping into her power and owning her strength. Taking on this role felt like a huge responsibility, not only to fans of the novels but also to myself and my career and I’ve certainly had times where I’ve doubted myself and questioned my ability to meet what is expected of me. Like Elayne has, I’ve had to learn to trust myself, push through uncertainty and approach my work with confidence.
How does the magical and mythic element of the series inspire your creative process off set?
I love that the magic system in The Wheel of Time is deeply personal to each individual who can use it. The One Power is woven like threads in a tapestry, and every channeler develops their own distinct way of weaving, making their magic unique to them. That idea really inspires me to reflect on my own creative process—what my personal magic is, what my flair is, and how I bring that into my work. It reminds me that we as artists are unique and everyone’s process is different, that doesn’t make our art any less magical!
What challenges did you face during Season 3, and how did overcoming them contribute to your evolution as an artist?
Being honest, I faced a lot of challenges in my personal life during filming. It was a difficult time for a multitude of reasons but it taught me some incredibly powerful lessons, particularly about prioritising my well-being, as I touched on earlier. I’m naturally a people pleaser and often sacrifice my needs for the needs of others, but this time, I had no choice but to advocate for myself. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to do the work that was required of me. It gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of setting boundaries as an artist, it made me both stronger in my craft and more self-aware in my life.
In what ways has portraying a complex character like Elayne influenced your outlook on storytelling and performance?
Playing Elayne has really taught me the power of nuance and contradictions. Her complexities are what make her real. She isn’t just a confident, politically savvy leader, she’s also naive and sometimes doubts her own strength and bravery. Even the most powerful of women have flaws and The Wheel of Time does a beautiful job at showcasing layered, multifaceted female characters. That’s something I’ve come to truly appreciate and moving forward, I will always seek out material that values and embraces that depth in their storytelling.
How do you think Season 3 will redefine the narrative of The Wheel of Time and your character's arc?
It’s going to be a game changer. The stakes are higher than ever and the world is becoming even more complex and dangerous. We’re going deeper into the heart of the story, exploring power struggles and the weight of destiny and duty in a way that will reshape the series. Elayne’s journey this season is one of transformation and I think audiences will see new layers to her, her resilience, her intelligence and her unwavering sense of duty. Every character is being tested this season, facing trials that will push them to their limits and force them to redefine themselves in ways they may never have expected.
Looking ahead, what career goals or dream projects are you most excited about pursuing after Season 3?
Oooh…I would love to work on another independent film. I was lucky enough to work with Luna Carmoon on her debut feature film, Hoard. It’s an experience that holds a special place in my heart. Independent cinema is what first inspired me to pursue screen acting and it remains my favourite kind of storytelling to watch. I love how collaborative and intimate the creative process of independent film making is and I would love to sink my teeth into a project that challenges me creatively, working alongside people who inspire me. The ultimate dream is to make a film of my own one day, but that’s a goal for further in the future.
How has your experience on this show prepared you for future challenges in the industry?
It’s taught me that I am capable. I don’t know what future challenges lie ahead of me, I’m sure there will be many, but I will take confidence that it is within my capability to overcome them. I’ve done it before, I can do it again!
As you evolve both personally and professionally, how do you envision your next steps in shaping your career?
In my personal life, I’ve been on a journey of discovering my authentic self and learning to take care of her. I hope to carry that mindset with me through my career by seeking out projects that really resonate with me and stories that I’m passionate about telling. Of course, we don’t always get the luxury of choice but in a perfect world, that’s the path I hope to follow. GR8T
