(Re)imagining Lan Mandragoran On Screen

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Author: Atarah al'Norahn
Published: December 11 2019 Tar Valon Times Blog Link

Aan’allein. Dai Shan. al’Lan Mandragoran. He is known by many names, but Lan is one of the most consistently and widely beloved characters in The Wheel of Time. From his first to last moments on the page, Lan’s fierce, indomitable, and quietly passionate nature has captivated readers. The casting of Daniel Henney to portray the King of Malkier has been welcomed with excitement by fans of the series, and anticipation to see Lan realized on screen runs high.

Join us as Arella Mathera, Atarah al’Norahn, Dar’Jen Ab Owain, and Maibella ni Rhoiden t’al’Varrak discuss some of Lan’s best early scenes, his imposing presence in the minds of fans, and what they hope to see from Lan’s character in the television adaptation of The Wheel of Time.

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Q: What Lan moment(s) from the first two books are you most excited to see Daniel Henney play on screen?

Dar’Jen: I am specifically looking forward to first seeing Lan—this moment is like the stories of Warders taking human form. He is our introduction to the idea of Warders. I also look forward to him praising Nynaeve’s skills in tracking, as this is an introduction to their relationship. And I am eager to watch Lan training Rand. Lan teaches Rand the various sword stances and moves and that obviously has a major impact on Rand’s future.

Arella: I hope we get to see how deadly he is on Winternight. In the books we only see the aftermath. Showing the action in Emond’s Field as well as at the al’Thor farm will be a good way to show both Moiraine and Lan in action, as well as the Shadowspawn. They might want to hold out on that like they do in the book for a more built-up action sequence later on, though.

Atarah: The scene I’m most eager to see is his scene with Nynaeve in the Blight, but I’m also really looking forward to seeing his moments with Rand early on in The Great Hunt—those moments where he’s trying to prepare Rand to meet the Amyrlin Seat, and you can feel the duty and regard he feels towards Rand. It’s in moments like these that you see how Lan is a mentor to the three ta’veren not just in terms of teaching them how to fight, but also in terms of teaching them how to live in the world outside of Emond’s Field. And I can’t wait to see him as the ride through the Blight—through what used to be Malkier—at the end of The Eye of the World.

Maibella: I’m excited to Lan come to life in general—I’m less concerned about specific scenes and more about his character overall. But I AM really looking forward to seeing Lan teaching Rand sword forms; that training scene on the walls of Fal Dara is a great one!


Q: Is there anything new you think the television adaptation will bring to Lan’s character for you? What do you hope Daniel Henney will bring to the role?

Arella: If the first season is more centered on Moiraine, we might get to know Lan better earlier on, or at least there will be more hints of him. He is so hard to read in the books. Even Moiraine notes his lack of facial expressions, so I imagine there will either be more of that or more dialogue with Lan. I hope they keep him rather stone-faced, to be honest. The problem with Lan’s character, though, is the same as with most, if not all, of the others. He is a bit locked on gender roles, etc. I hope Daniel Henney will show a more modern Lan in this regard.

Maibella: I’m hoping to see quiet strength and stoicism from Henney. At the same time I want to see the relationship between Lan and Nynaeve develop. In the books it took me by complete surprise but I feel that there is a lot than can be conveyed visually between these two characters that would make their growing attraction for and appreciation of each other much more apparent.

Atarah: I can’t wait to actually get to see Lan fight. I think that is going to be visually stunning for me.

Dar’Jen: As Lan is my favorite character, I hope they maintain his loyalty to Moraine and his sense of honor and duty. There are definitely scenes from the end of the series I am looking forward to, especially with regards to Lan acknowledging his birthright.


Q: What do you think or hope new fans will find most compelling about Lan’s character?

Maibella: A huge part of Lan’s appeal for me is his commitment to his Aes Sedai and to his heritage. I hope that new fans will see and appreciate the way he sacrifices himself and his desires in the service of a higher calling.

Dar’Jen: I hope new fans are drawn to Lan’s nature. He doesn’t have to say a lot to make his point. He is dedicated to protecting Moraine and serving her cause, and fighting evil whenever he can.

Atarah: I really hope that fans will immediately want to dive beneath his exterior, that hard face he puts on. We know, as the series progresses, just how deeply Lan feels about a lot of things. I hope that new fans will be able to sense that and be drawn to it.

Arella: His fierceness and sense of duty. To me, duty and obligation are Lan’s core and I hope this is made clear from the start. I hope his attraction to the viewers will be his talent as a Warder, tracker, and leader, as well as his sense of duty and loyalty.

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Q: Is there a scene or a line from the first two books that you see as absolutely central to Lan’s character in The Wheel of Time—something you can’t imagine being cut?

Atarah: I don’t know exactly how they will do this scene or if it might even be cut, but the moment in which Moiraine first hints at his true heritage—“Remember your oaths, al’Lan Mandragoran, Lord of the Seven Towers! What of the oath of a Diademed Battle Lord of the Malkieri?”— is integral to me. Not only is this an important moment in the sense that it begins to really show us Lan’s lineage. This scene happens during the rescue of Egwene and Perrin from the Whitecloaks, when Lan is about to go find Nynaeve—so Moiraine essentially calls Lan up short by making him choose between his oaths and his sense of duty on the one hand, and his growing feelings for Nynaeve on the other. I think it’s a really important moment—the first time we see him really struggle with this choice.

Dar’Jen: For me it’s all central, but I know things will be cut for time reasons. One line that I hope is retained is: “Duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather.” This is important to Lan’s nature as well as for Rand’s future.

Arella: The scene between him and Nynaeve that Rand witnesses while the others sleep, where she makes her interest clear and Lan says he will never marry. I also really hope they include how impressed he is with Nynaeve’s tracking.

Maibella: I’m flexible on this. I think Lan’s character can be conveyed clearly no matter what scenes we see him in.


Q: How do you imagine Lan’s first entrance on screen? What kind of feel do you hope it will have?

Arella: I like how it is in the book. We hear about him first, and to the Two Rivers boys he seems just as foreign and exciting as Moiraine. I would love if he suddenly appeared behind the boys when they were talking so we could see the Warder cloak in action—like answering Mat’s question about Warders or Aes Sedai or some such, but more in a frightening way and not humorous. I actually hope they don’t show the flirty side of Daniel Henney at all. I’ve ever only seen him in a Korean drama where he was a sexy bad boy. I just found him cheesy and I don’t want to be reminded of that when watching Lan in action!

Dar’Jen: He will stand out from the villagers and it will be obvious he is protector to Moiraine. He should feel imposing, obviously a warrior. There should be a sense of awe regarding him, but if he gives an order, he has the experience needed for others to obey without question.

Atarah: I hope he looks and feels just as imposing as he does when we first encounter him in The Eye of the World! Maybe people won’t notice him right away because he’s trying to hang back and be unnoticeable, aided by the Warder cloak, but when people see him, I imagine they’ll sit up and pay attention because he’ll just look so dangerous and deadly and grim.


Q: Which other character(s) are you most interested in seeing interact with Lan on screen? Is there a relationship dynamic from the first two books you’re particularly interested in watching play out?

Maibella: I sort of answered this already but I’m very interested to see the beginning of Lan and Nynaeve’s relationship. It was so subtle in the books as to be non-existent, but I think getting to see their actions, reactions, and emotions visibly will make a much different impact.

Arella: Nynaeve and Moiraine are the first that come to mind, of course, but as we all know, Lan’s interactions with and tutoring of Rand are crucial. I really hope there will be a special bond between the two on the screen as well.

Dar’Jen: Interactions with Lan that are most crucial are with Moraine, Nynaeve, and Rand. I hope they do them justice.

Atarah: I can’t wait to see him in a mentorship role to the young people from Emond’s Field. They’re all a little in awe of him but respect him so much, and in his gruff way he’s so kind to them.


Lan is a character who has meant a great deal to many readers—and we’re looking forward to seeing what he will mean to new watchers. What do you hope that Daniel Henney and the scriptwriters will do with Lan’s character?