From peace to battle: Marcus Rutherford previews Perrin’s struggles in The Wheel of Time Season 3

In Season 3 of The Wheel of Time, Marcus Rutherford is back as Perrin Aybara, a man who is conflicted between the path of peace and the desire for war. In an interview with Collider, Rutherford says that Perrin is still grappling with violence, just as he did in Season 1.

Perrin's internal struggle is connected to his identity. He is both a blacksmith and a possible leader. The Wheel of Time season 3 places Perrin in situations where he is pushed to his morals and leadership. From dual-wielding weapons to declining to slay his foe, Perrin's arc continues to mirror profound philosophical questions.

"Violence doesn’t end until someone says enough," Rutherford explained, citing the influence of Tuatha'an.

---

Perrin’s way of battling uncovers almost all of his character in The Wheel of Time

Perrin's double wielding of axe and hammer symbolizes a greater metaphor. In the view of Rutherford,

"There's a metaphor of something that destroys and something that can build. He almost becomes this sort of walking metaphor from the books."

Rutherford explained the physicality involved in playing the role:

"You have to have weapons that are particularly heavy, because it just doesn't read on camera otherwise"

He continued,

"Trying to fight with two hands, it was knackering, but it's amazing. It's what you want to do."

The choreography of the scene was elaborate.

"We had days of rehearsal of just walking through that, and with Bella, as well," he explained.

Bella is the wolf-dog who plays Hopper. Rutherford went on,

"I'm passing people on to her, and she’s climbing on top of shoulders and stuff. It was really fun."

---

The philosophy of peace and why Perrin spares Padan Fain

Perrin chooses not to kill Padan Fain in Episode 7 of The Wheel of Time Season 3. Rutherford had this explanation:

"He has this axe, and he doesn't really know how to do it. He's too scared. The easy option is finally getting vengeance on this guy."

This move traces back to the past.

"There have been a lot of ramifications from killing Geofram at the end of Season 2, and you can obviously see how that's affected the people around him." Rutherford said.

The philosophy of Tuatha'an remains with Perrin. Rutherford said,

"That philosophy of violence begets violence, and it doesn't finish until someone says enough."

He continued,

"Perrin realizes that there has to be something that distinguishes him from Padan Fain."

---

The emotional scene with Loial and the impact of the loss

In The Wheel of Time Season 3, Loial is seen to die, and the cast responds emotionally. Rutherford explained,

"The scene before Loial goes to the Waygate, and it's almost just like two mates talking in the corner, and it’s a bit quiet? I love that scene — especially for Hammed [Animashaun], who's probably the best actor on the show, to be fair."

He added,

"They got Hammed to read Loial's words, and they played the audio of that in the scene, and it just knocks you."

As Rutherford said,

"He’s up at 2 AM, 3 AM. He’s usually the first to arrive, the last to leave. He's not just a trolloc, he has to deliver... kind of Shakespeare's sonnets."

---

Perrin’s decision to turn himself in to the Whitecloaks in The Wheel of Time

Perrin surrenders to the Whitecloaks towards the end of The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 7. Rutherford said,

"Perrin's just like, “This is all because of me. I'm at the center of this, and someone has to stop it. Someone has to be the reason that this doesn't happen again."

He went on,

"I've just seen my village burned to the ground for a second time, and people have come out of it, some unscathed.” He just puts himself in that position and looks to Ila, and is like, “Violence doesn’t end until someone says enough.” It just comes full circle."

Perrin's leadership is evident in his selflessness.

"It's not about those visible moments of being a hero. It's in those quiet moments of knowing what to say to Mat’s sisters, or knowing what to say to Marin, or the Tuatha'an." Rutherford said.

---

Hopper, Egwene, and the Power of Connection

Earlier in The Wheel of Time season 3, Egwene gets a vision of Perrin and Hopper together.

Rutherford remembered shooting with the wolf-dog:

"She ran through a whole cast and crew of ADs and jumped up onto me."

He continued,

"For Egwene to not even know who this person is, what's happening to Perrin, and what these people mean, but to know that he's home and happy, it's pretty powerful."

---

In Season 3 of The Wheel of Time, Marcus Rutherford's performance of Perrin presents a man torn between his past, his conscience, and his self. Between battle scenes and introspective leadership, Rutherford clarifies that Perrin's power is restraint and duty. Through his relationships, choices, and ultimate abdication, Perrin is a character characterized not by violence but by the decision to cease it.