Exclusive First Look: Tanchico Revealed

A Journey Into Tanchico: The Jewel of Tarabon

The coastal city of Tanchico is an enigma. Its docks, peppered with vendors and bound by creaky structures, project an air of rugged resilience. By day, the scene thrums with activity and purpose. Come nightfall, shadows awaken beneath the moon’s gaze, whispering secrets of a bygone grandeur. This legendary city takes center stage in the upcoming third season of The Wheel of Time, offering audiences a visual feast as magical as it is haunting.

Unveiling Tanchico’s Mystique in The Wheel of Time

In Robert Jordan’s beloved saga, Tanchico is more than just Tarabon’s capital. It’s a beacon of history, echoing tales from the Age of Legends. Though majestic in days past, its current state is a mere shadow of its former self. Yet, beneath its fading facade, the city thrives on a tension fueled by roving thieves and audacious adventurers. The docks, infamous for their danger, are ruled by those with both strength and cunning.

As production designer Ondrej Nekvasil guides us through this world, familiar faces like Min Farshaw, Mat Cauthon, Elayne Trakand, and Nynaeve al’Meara come alive. Their traditional attire, complete with veils, alludes to deeply rooted Taraboner customs. Each character’s presence in this setting hints at the unfolding mysteries that season three promises to unravel.

Breathing Life Into the Tanchico Set

Nestled at Cape Town Film Studios in South Africa, the set for Tanchico merges existing landscapes with vivid imagination. The filming grounds, once home to Starz’s Black Sails, provide a canvas ripe for transformation. Building upon this, Nekvasil and his crew meticulously crafted structures that echo a tropical ancestral city. Their work, spanning two months, also involved elements sourced from stages in Prague, integrating seamlessly into Cape Town’s locale.

Drawing from Zanzibar’s architectural essence, Neksavil masterfully captures the heart of Tanchico. The docks, in particular, beckon viewers to explore their tight, intimate quarters. Despite the dock’s veneer of age and disrepair, safety was paramount. To achieve this, the team skillfully aged fresh wood, marrying authenticity with security.

A Visual Glimpse of The Wheel of Time Season 3

As anticipation builds, a gallery of exclusive first-look images provides a tantalizing glimpse into Tanchico’s charm. Captured by the lens of Julie Vrabelova and Ilze Kitshoff, these snapshots promise adventure and intrigue. Iconic characters traverse bustling streets, each frame alive with color and emotion.

Kae Alexander as Min Farshaw, Dónal Finn’s Mat Cauthon, Ceara Coveney’s Elayne Trakand, and Zoe Robins’ Nynaeve al’Meara each embody the spirit of Tanchico. Residents and visitors alike animate the streets in a dance of traditional attire and veiled gazes.

These vibrant portrayals set the stage for what promises to be a riveting third installment. The Wheel of Time returns to captivate audiences when its new season premieres on Prime Video on March 13. As Tanchico waits to weave its tale, one can’t help but feel the pull of its enchanting allure.