Exclusive First Look at Tanchico from Wheel of Time S3

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In the coastal city of Tanchico from “The Wheel of Time,” a colossal stone figure, arms tied, kneels by the water’s edge. Markets brimming with goods are stationed on unstable-looking docks, shrouded in thatched roofs. The markets’ intricate network of paths seem endless. Tanchico, Tarabon’s capital, exudes a rough yet resilient charm—and an air of peril. At nightfall, when the moon and torches cast eerie shadows on the scene, one senses that anything could unfold. The third season of “The Wheel of Time” will introduce us to Tanchico, and TopMob offers a sneak peek at this meticulously crafted set. We also accompanied two other media outlets on set for an exclusive tour of Tanchico, led by production designer Ondrej Nekvasil.

What Is Tanchico’s Importance in The Wheel of Time?

Let’s delve into Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time” series, focusing on the city of Tanchico, which serves as the capital of Tarabon. This city is said to be among the oldest in existence, with certain architectural structures that are believed to have origins dating back to the Age of Legends. Notably, the rulers of Tarabon, a king and a panarch, both reside in Tanchico.

In the realm of “The Wheel of Time”, Tanchico – a city sprawled across steep hills with three peninsulas jutting into Tanchico Bay, at the confluence of River Andahar – was once a hub of prosperity. However, its former glory is now more an illusion than reality. The buildings are decaying and grandeur has faded. Criminals, ruffians, and all sorts of unsavory characters wander the streets, particularly in the bustling docks where strength and power hold sway.

In the photos from the set, several characters seem to be involved in affairs within Tanchico. Among them are Min Farshaw (Kae Alexander), Mat Cauthon (Dónal Finn), Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coveney), and Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoe Robins). Interestingly, they all appear dressed in traditional Taraboner clothing with veils covering their faces. We can’t wait to discover more about their activities in the streets of Tanchico as The Wheel of Time season three progresses.

Tanchico’s Set Design in The Wheel of Time Season 3

Amazon’s Prime Video shot parts of ‘The Wheel of Time’ season three at Cape Town Film Studios in South Africa, which incidentally features a beach and basic docks previously used for Starz’s ‘Black Sails’. Production designer Ondřej Nekvasil explained that they expanded upon these existing structures to create an ancient city with a tropical atmosphere. They added more buildings to the port area of the set and also built the city’s entrance wall. Scenes from Tanchico’s interior were filmed on stages in Prague, but key elements like doors were transported from Prague to Cape Town for the set construction, which took approximately two months.

Nekvasil pointed out Zanzibar as a source of inspiration, evident in both the dock areas and the city’s gateway. There are clear echoes of Zanzibar’s Old Fort in the fortification walls that run throughout the city. While we only saw the set designs, Nekvasil mentioned that they adhered to the books’ depiction of Tanchico, with its hilly landscape and peninsulas. He emphasized that these elements will predominantly be visible in the wide-angle shots enhanced by visual effects.

Regarding Tanchico’s docks, the objective was to bring us near, offering an up-close view. The design of The Wheel of Time aimed to create an atmosphere that was both cramped and intimate yet not truly perilous. Nekvasil mentioned that the most difficult aspect of constructing the set was dealing with wood, as it seemed to be the primary material used. However, note that the set appeared to be predominantly wooden. The challenge lay in using a safe material that gave the impression of aged wood, so they sandblasted fresh wood to give it an older appearance.

Take One More Look at our The Wheel of Time Season 3 Exclusive First-Look Images

If you’re interested in viewing all the first-look images of Tanchico from The Wheel of Time season 3, you can take a look at the gallery below for another chance to browse through them.



The official description of each of these The Wheel of Time season three images is as follows:

  • Kae Alexander as ‘Min Farshaw’, Dónal Finn as ‘Mat Cauthon’, Ceara Coveney as ‘Elayne Trakand’ in the streets of Tanchico.
  • Zoe Robins as ‘Nynaeve al’Meara’ in the streets of Tanchico.
  • Residents of Tanchico.
  • Tanchico’s bustling waterfront.

Experience the grandeur of Tanchico as it springs to vibrant life when The Wheel of Time’s third season debuts on Amazon Prime Video, starting March 13.

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2025-01-29 17:03