Maksim

**Maksim** is a character in *The Wheel of Time* television series. He is portrayed by Taylor Napier.

Maksim is one of Alanna Mosvani's two Warders, the other being Ihvon. "The three of them have a complicated relationship built on love, sex and respect that welds them into a fearsome force in battle." Maksim is with the group of Aes Sedai who capture the false Dragon Logain Ablar.

## History

### Early life

Maksim was born in Andor to a fairly wealthy family. His father tried to kill him when he was twelve years old.

He chose to become a Warder as he had fallen in love with Ihvon, who in turn had already fallen in love with Alanna Mosvani. The three eventually all became lovers of one another, with Maksim and Ihvon both bonded to Alanna.

### Season 1

Maksim and Ihvon are camped with the Aes Sedai after the capture of Logain Ablar. They have dinner with the other Warders and Nynaeve al'Meara, and Maksim is embracing Ihvon as Stepin is joking about Lan's history. Nynaeve says she found Lan by tracking him, and Maksim laughs, and saying that he likes her. When Nynaeve says that Warders are more fun than they look, Maksim jokes that he "looks fun", prompting a somewhat exasperated response from Ihvon. Nynaeve says that the Warders "serve" the Aes Sedai, and the group falls silent, with Stepin explaining that their bond is stronger than anything. Maksim says that they are proud to stand by the Aes Sedai. When Alanna joins Maksim and Ihvon, the three retire for the night.

When Logain's followers attack the Aes Sedai camp, Maksim and Ihvon stand by Alanna as they hold off the oncoming army to let the others return to the cave, as they realize that Logain must have broken free. As Alanna unleashes a massive attack of the One Power, Maksim and Ihvon battle many soldiers fighting for the False Dragon. The three return to the cave as Liandrin and the other sisters link to gentle Logain, and Maksim witnesses Alanna join the Aes Sedai in doing so.

Maksim attends the mass funeral held for Kerene Nagashi, the King of Ghealdan, and the other combatants. The group makes their way back to Tar Valon over a month with Logain kept on a leash, and returns to the White Tower. Maksim, Ihvon and Lan are with Stepin as he prepares to burn Kerene's Great Serpent ring. When Stepin relates the story of his difficult upbringing and meeting Kerene to the other Warders, Maksim jokingly tells him to stop whining, as his father tried to kill him when he was twelve. Stepin considers being bonded by Alanna in order to help the loss of Kerene and serving alongside Maksim and Ihvon, but struggles with the idea. Eventually, he commits suicide due to the great sense of depression induced by his Aes Sedai's death. Maksim attends Stepin's funeral with the other Warders and guests, dressed all in white.

When Alanna is called to the Hall of the Tower by the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, Maksim and Ihvon are waiting for her outside after she and the others are dismissed. Maksim hands Alanna a pear after she exits.

### Season 2

Egwene is embarrassed when she unexpectely walks in on Maksim, Ihvon, and Alanna during an intimate moment while cleaning up in Aes Sedai personal quarters as part of her novice duties.

Maksim and Ihvon are later sparring with Nynaeve, as the novice is unable to get anywhere while practicing her weaves in class. Maksim tells her how grueling Warder training is, and he and Ihvon both tell her that she needs to find the reason that brought her to the Tower in order to succeed at her training.

## Relationships

### Alanna and Ihvon

Alanna, Ihvon, and Maksim are all lovers of one another. They have an extremely close relationship, and fight fiercely in battle together.

## Physical appearance

Maksim is a fair-skinned blond man with a beard.

## Abilities

Maksim is an expert with a spear and shield.

## Quotes

> **Nynaeve**You Warders are more fun than you look.**Maksim**Except me, of course. I look fun.— 1.04 *The Dragon Reborn*

## Trivia

* The name "Makzim" in the books comes from Maksim Zhukov, a fan of *The Wheel of Time*. If the Warder Makzim from the novels inspired the new name, then this reader is the original namesake of Maksim's character.
* Maksim is one of the confirmed LGBT+ characters in *The Wheel of Time*.

## Gallery

Episode 104: Maksim and Alanna in battleEpisode 104: Maksim in battleSeason 1: MaksimEpisode 204: Maksim plays with the kids
## Changes from the book series

In the book series, Alanna's second Warder is named **Owein  (*book spoilers!*)**; showrunner Rafe Judkins responded to a fan question about the name change, confirming that it was because the name Owein sounds indistinguishable from Owyn, and stating that "if a name sounds literally exactly the same as someone else's we will change, but otherwise try to keep the same." There is another Warder in the book series similarly named **Makzim  (*book spoilers!*)**, which is perhaps where the new name is from.

## Navigation

Padan Fain •
Liandrin Guirale •
Alanna Mosvani •
Logain Ablar •
**Maksim** •
Ihvon •
Min Farshaw •
Loial •
Siuan Sanche •
Leane Sharif •
Ishamael •
Verin Mathwin •
Selene •
Anvaere Damodred •
Dain Bornhald •
Aviendha •
Gitara Moroso •
Moghedien •
Season 1 characters •
Season 2 characters •
***see all***

## References

1. ↑ *Deadline*: The Wheel Of Time’: Amazon Adds Three To Cast Of Series Based On Fantasy Books by Denise Petski, December 23, 2019.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Official X-Ray for Prime Video: *The Wheel of Time*, under the "Characters" section (login required), section labeled "Maksim". Retrieved November 26, 2021.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Taylor Napier on *The Dusty Wheel*. LIVE: Wheel of Time Interview with Taylor Napier!. December 10, 2021.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 5: *Blood Calls Blood*.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 1: *A Taste of Solitude*.
6. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 4: *The Dragon Reborn*.
7. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 6: *The Flame of Tar Valon*.
8. ↑ Linda Taglieri. Character Names Derived From Readers' Names. February 26, 2002.
9. ↑ Twitter: December 23, 2019.