Selene

**Selene** is a character introduced in season 2 of *The Wheel of Time* television series portrayed by Natasha O'Keeffe.

Selene is the owner of the Crescent Inn, located in the Foregate of Cairhien. She and Rand have formed a "no strings attached" relationship since the young man from the Two Rivers started a new life in the city.

*This article contains spoilers for major events in season 2. Do not read any further if you wish to avoid spoilers for this character.*

Selene is in fact **Lanfear** (Old Tongue for *Daughter of the Night*), one of the Forsaken from the Age of Legends. She is an extremely dangerous and powerful channeler who serves the Shadow.

## History

### Early life

Lanfear was born in the Age of Legends. She was known as an extremely powerful channeler, and a master of *Tel'aran'rhiod*, the World of Dreams.

She shared a romance with Lews Therin Telamon, the Dragon Reborn, an extremely powerful Aes Sedai. However, their love came to an end after Lews Therin met his wife. This caused Lanfear to swear her oaths to the Dark One, hoping she could win back Lews Therin. She became one of the Chosen.

Lanfear and the other Forsaken were sealed away behind *cuendillar* by Lews Therin before the Breaking of the World.

### Season 2

Lanfear is released by Ishamael after the latter's confrontation with Rand al'Thor at the Eye of the World. Bayle Domon later found a broken piece of *cuendillar* from when Lanfear was released, as it was noticed that the old moon dial outside Cairhien shattered one night. Some time after this, Lanfear settled in Cairhien, using the alias "Selene". She became the owner of the Crescent Inn in the city's Foregate, and appeared to accumulate a good amount of knowledge about the state of the world in the Third Age.

Selene strikes up a "no strings attached" relationship with Rand, the Dragon Reborn, when he starts a new life in Cairhien. She helps Rand when he is trying to find a bottle of Ghealdanin red wine for Logain Ablar by bringing him into a party held by the city's nobility. She informs him about Cairhienin politics before she meets Anvaere Damodred, adopting a somewhat dismissive attitude with the Cairhienin noblewoman.

After Rand fails to learn anything from Logain, Selene invites him to a cabin at Kinslayer's Dagger, claiming that she used to spend time there with her family. When they reach the mountainous area, she claims that she in fact used to come here with her former lover. At night, Selene seems shocked when Rand embraces the One Power to defeat the Shadowspawn attacking them. She seems to be taken aback at first, and Rand says he must leave her, as male channelers are said to kill those they love when they go mad. She asks Rand if this means that he loves her, and adopts a very understanding attitude. The two go inside the cabin to sleep together, and Selene confesses that she is a "monster" just like Rand, revealing that she is a channeler. However, at that moment, she is stabbed by Moiraine Damodred. Rand is furious that Moiraine "killed" his lover, but the Aes Sedai says that she could not have done so, as Selene is in fact Lanfear, one of the Forsaken. Moiraine instructs Rand to leave at once, while Lanfear's eyes go black with *saa*.

## Relationships

Selene shared a romance with Lews Therin Telamon, the previous Dragon Reborn. However, their love came to an end after Lews Therin met his wife, causing Selene to swear her oaths to the Dark One. In Season 2, Selene develops a "no strings attached" relationship with Rand, the new Dragon Reborn, when he starts a new life in Cairhien.

## Physical appearance

Selene is an attractive, adult woman with fair skin, black hair, and a slim build.

## Appearances

Selene appears in the following episodes:

## Quotes

> **Rand**Selene. Listen, I don't think tonight is... I have to be alone.**Selene**That's the funny thing about people. When things get bad, we want to be alone. The truth is, that's when we need each other the most. We can be alone together.— Season 2 episode 2 Strangers and Friends

> **Rand**I don't want to hurt you.**Selene**You can't. You know... there was someone that I loved once. When he left, I was shattered. But I knew no one else could ever have that power over me ever again. What's left to hurt if he still has my whole heart? When I'm with you, I can pretend you're him, I can pretend I'm... whole again. You can't imagine what a gift that is. It's so much more than I've had in a very long time. Who do you think of... when you're with me?**Rand**Someone I wish I could forget.**Selene**Well, maybe that will just have to be how this works for us. You'll help me remember... and I'll help you forget.— Season 2 episode 2 *Strangers and Friends*

> **Rand**The Wheel never gives anyone what they want. Least of all me.**Selene**No one and nothing ever gives you what you want. If you want something, you have to take it.— Season 2 episode 4 *Daughter of the Night*

> **Rand**How can you think I'd ever trust you again?**Lanfear**I'm the only one who actually cares about you, Rand. Everyone else-- Ishamael, Moiraine-- they just care about what you can do. Come with me.**Rand**Do I have any choice?**Lanfear**You know who I am.— Season 2 episode 8 *What Was Meant to Be*

## Gallery

Season 2 poster of Rand and SeleneEpisode 202: Rand and Selene smile fondly at each other in their room at the innEpisode 202: Selene sits on her and Rand's bed at the innEpisode 203: Selene smiling and having a drink in the ForegateEpisode 204: Rand and Selene by the burnt innEpisode 204: Rand and Selene on Kinslayer's DaggerEpisode 204: Rand and Selene on Kinslayer's DaggerEpisode 205: Rand faces Lanfear in *Tel'aran'rhiod*Episode 207: Lanfear burns the ForegateEpisode 207: LanfearEpisode 208: Lanfear, Rand, Moiraine, and Lan in the Ways
## Trivia

* In December 2021, news site *WoT Series* reported that actress Karima McAdams may have been cast in the role. It was later revealed that McAdams would portray Lady Suroth instead.
* Michaela Ilavská was cast as Selene's body double for season 2, and she filmed in 2021 with director Sanaa Hamri.
* On November 24, 2021, showrunner Rafe Judkins gave a joking (spoilery) answer in a Reddit AMA on who would be playing Selene in the show.

## Changes from the book series

Lanfear is an adaptation of the character of the same name  (*book spoilers!*) from the book series.

## 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. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 5: *Damane*.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 4: *Daughter of the Night*.
3. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 1: *A Taste of Solitude*.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 2: *Strangers and Friends*.
5. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 3: *What Might Be*.
6. ↑ Twitter: @brother\_Buddha @malkiersking @CTnapier @MaxRyanOfficial Saa-ch a cool final image. September 10, 2023.
7. ↑ Eri, WoTSeries. Season Two Cast: Melissa James, Jessica Boone & More. December 26, 2021
8. ↑ https://twitter.com/geekyeri/status/1550669333872799744
9. ↑ https://twitter.com/WotTVSeries/status/1661365827470348293
10. ↑ Michaela Ilavská's agency CV shows that she filmed in 2021 (season 2) in the role of "Body acting - role of Selene in the Wheel of Time" with director Sanaa Hamri. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
11. ↑ Rafe Judkins AMA on Reddit, November 24, 2021. Q: "Who is playing Selene?" Answer (spoilers).