Honestly, if you watched the first season of Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time, you might have been a little skeptical. It was okay. It had big sets and magic, but something was missing. Then Season 2 hit, and suddenly, the screen was on fire every time a certain mysterious innkeeper appeared. Everyone was asking the same thing: Who is the lanfear wheel of time actress?
Her name is Natasha O'Keeffe.
You probably recognize her. She was Lizzie Shelby in Peaky Blinders, the woman who stood toe-to-toe with Cillian Murphy and lived to tell the tale. She was also the titular bride in that creepy Sherlock special, "The Abominable Bride." But playing Lanfear is a different beast entirely. It’s a role that requires you to be the most beautiful woman in history while also being a literal monster from the Age of Legends.
The Mystery of Selene and the Big Reveal
When O'Keeffe first appeared as "Selene," she didn't look like a 3,000-year-old villain. She looked like a charming, slightly witty woman running an inn in Cairhien. She had this easy chemistry with Rand al'Thor that made you forget, just for a second, that this is a high-fantasy show where everyone is trying to kill him.
Then the mask slipped.
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The lanfear wheel of time actress had to pull off one of the most iconic transformations in the series. One minute she’s a lover; the next, she’s casually burning down an entire street or cutting someone’s head off without blinking. O'Keeffe described the process as "keeping a cap on my excitement." She knew who she was playing, but she had to convince the audience—and Rand—that she was just a normal girl.
Why Fans Were Nervous (and Why They Were Wrong)
Before she was cast, the internet did what the internet does. They worried. In Robert Jordan's books, Lanfear is described as a "superlative" beauty. Like, the kind of beauty that makes men lose their minds. Some fans on Reddit and X argued that O'Keeffe was "handsome" rather than "ethereal."
They were wrong.
Beauty in a TV show isn't just about a static face; it’s about presence. O'Keeffe has this predatory grace that makes her more terrifying than any CGI trolloc. When she walks into a room, she owns it. Rafe Judkins, the showrunner, mentioned in interviews that they actually did chemistry reads with Josha Stradowski (Rand) specifically to make sure the relationship felt real. They didn't want a "damsel in distress" Lanfear. They wanted a "vampy bulldozer."
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Natasha O'Keeffe’s Career Before the One Power
O'Keeffe isn't some newcomer. She’s been a staple of British TV for over a decade. Born in Brighton and trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, she’s got that classical theater foundation that lets her handle the "high-stakes" dialogue of a fantasy epic without sounding cheesy.
Her "greatest hits" include:
- Misfits: She played Abbey Smith, a character who was literally the manifestation of someone’s imaginary friend. Weird? Yes. Great? Absolutely.
- Peaky Blinders: As Lizzie Shelby, she went from a prostitute to the matriarch of the Shelby family. That range is exactly what she brings to Lanfear.
- Strike: Playing Charlotte Campbell, she mastered the "toxic ex-girlfriend" energy that defines Lanfear’s obsession with the Dragon.
Funny enough, she admitted in an interview with 5ELEVEN Magazine that she hadn't actually read the books before getting the part. She wasn't a "fantasy enthusiast." But maybe that’s why her performance feels so fresh—she isn't trying to copy a 1990s book cover. She’s building a human being who just happens to be a "Daughter of the Night."
What Makes Her Version of Lanfear Different?
In the books, Lanfear can be a bit... much. She’s often stomping her feet like a jealous teenager because Lews Therin doesn't love her anymore. The lanfear wheel of time actress took that character and gave her a soul. Or at least, a very stylish version of one.
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The Humanity of a Forsaken
There's a scene in Season 2 where she talks to Ishamael (played by Fares Fares). They aren't just villains twirling their mustaches. They’re old friends who have been through a literal apocalypse together. O'Keeffe plays Lanfear as someone "sick in love." She doesn't see herself as evil. She just wants her man back, and she’s willing to burn the world to get him.
She also has way more agency in the show. Instead of being a damsel Rand has to rescue in a portal world, she’s the one pulling the strings from the jump. She’s the one who helps him escape, she’s the one who manipulates the high society of Cairhien, and she’s the one who keeps the other Forsaken at bay.
The Future of Lanfear in Season 3 and Beyond
If you're worried about what happens next, don't be. The show has already teased that Season 3 will dive even deeper into her past. We’re going to see more of the "homecoming" vibe as the story moves toward the Aiel Waste. O'Keeffe has mentioned that the relationship between Rand and Lanfear starts to get "new and exciting" for her because his "old tricks" aren't working anymore.
She likes a challenge.
Basically, the lanfear wheel of time actress has become the MVP of the series. While the "Light" characters are busy arguing about prophecies and rules, she’s having the most fun on screen.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see more of Natasha O'Keeffe's work, go back and watch her seasons of Peaky Blinders or the cult classic Misfits. It really shows how she developed that "dangerous but vulnerable" energy she brings to the Shadow. You can also look out for her upcoming Netflix projects in 2026, which she’s keeping very quiet about for now. Keep an eye on the official Wheel of Time social accounts for Season 3 production updates, as they often post behind-the-scenes clips of the Forsaken that don't make it into the final edit.