Mat will look a little different in season 2.
It’s finally almost here! The Wheel of Time season 2 is almost upon us and fans can’t wait to see what’s become of our heroes.
Season 1 of the show, based on the popular novels, ended with a dramatic twist, when Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) revealed that, despite Rand’s (Josha Stradowski) sacrifice, the last battle hadn’t actually been fought – and that it was only the beginning.
Season 2 kicks off with our heroes torn apart and flung to the corners of the world – but one of them may look a little unfamiliar.
Here’s everything you need to know about Mat Cauthon’s recasting and new actor Dónal Finn after Barney Harris was replaced.
What happened with Mat Cauthon’s recasting in The Wheel of Time?
Harris departed The Wheel of Time during season 1 but an official reason has not been given.
He filmed the first six episodes of the show before production was shut down amid the Covid-19 pandemic. When production resumed, he did not return.
His exit from the show meant he was absent from one of the later episodes and, in the final episode, only old footage of the character could be used.
For season 2, he was replaced by Finn, with writer Rafe Judkins promising the transition would be “seamless”.
“It’s always hard but we’re really lucky that Barney is so great in the first season; I love him in the show,” he told told Deadline in 2021.
“And Dónal Finn, who is playing Mat in Season 2, is amazing. I have seen him up on set doing his scenes now and they’re incredible and they fully capture the character. I think it’s a testament to this character and how great the character of Mat is that it really feels seamless between the two actors.”
Finn has since opened up about the experience of replacing Harris, telling TV Line: “I kind of put my head in the sand, because I knew that if I allowed myself some time to stop and think about it, I could get very overwhelmed.
“But ultimately, knowing how much the fans love this character motivated me to make sure that I was starting it in the right place, and that process involved kind of gathering up all of the written work of season 1 and taking all those scripts and mining them to create a backstory for Mat.”
Harris has not publicly commented on the re-casting.
Who is Mat Cauthon season 1 actor Barney Harris?
Barney Harris played Mat Cauthon in season 1.
He had previously appeared in series like Clique, and films including Billionaire Boys Club and A Brixton Tale.
He also has an upcoming role in the indie film Magpie.
Who is Mat Cauthon season 2 actor Dónal Finn?
Mat Cauthon is played by Dónal Finn in season 2.
He’s no stranger to the world of fantasy, having appeared in The Witcher, and the film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Finn has also appeared in TV series like How to Build a Girl and SAS: Rogue Heroes.
The actor has said he “mindlessly” said yes to the role and fans are sure to be intrigued as to what he’ll offer as the new Mat.
The Wheel of Time season 2 will be available to stream on Prime Video on 1st September.
Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what to watch tonight.
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