by Sanj Patel
Photographer: Jack Margerison // Stylist: Chalisa Guerrero // Makeup Artist: Charlotte Hayward c/o The Wall Group // Hair: Sophie Sugarman c/o LMC // Stylist Assistants: Athena Moumtzis, Renata Ramirez Jaco, Evette Keane
It’s a Wednesday afternoon in South East London, and actor Ceara Coveney has just finished shooting her second look of the day. Nestled on the high-street, the studio (or shop, as its faded lettering reveals), is an intimate space, bustling with a small team and punctuated by a playlist that jumps from Mark Ronson to Thundercat to Villagers.
At first glance, the two-floor setup seems to share its building with a salon below, while the upper level features black wooden flooring that creaks slightly underfoot. At the back of the room, a small clothing rail holds an assortment of dresses, jackets, and tops, with boots and heels neatly arranged beneath. Nearby, a table gleams with gold and silver jewelry—an irresistible spread for any magpie at heart.
Upon my arrival, it’s clear that Coveney’s presence on set is magnetic, yet there is a quietness about her that draws you in. She seems at ease, almost as if the camera is an extension of herself. Later, amidst a flurry of set changes and constant movement, she joins me at the vanity table, dressed in a chocolate brown tracksuit, her ginger hair loose around her shoulders.
“I grew up with three older sisters who were always at dance classes. That was my starting point, and eventually it led to singing and acting,” she recalls. “At 14 I entered a monologue competition and read an extract from Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, which I won."
"I’d always loved acting. So when it came to deciding my future I couldn't really see myself doing anything else.”
Fast forward a few years and in the present, Coveney's roles in The Amazing World of Emma and Young Wallander have culminated in her roaring success. And while the actress herself admits that the process didn’t happen overnight, the 20-something is now commanding the spotlight as Elayne Trakand in the third season of Prime Video’s epic adventure-drama, The Wheel of Time.
Based on a series of books by Robert Jordan, the show features a cast of talented actors in a world where magic exists, but only women can wield it. "It’s an epic high-fantasy series," Coveney explains. "A journey of dark forces coming into play, shaping the characters as they face challenges to fulfil a prophecy that will either save or destroy the world." Throughout, the series explores powerful alliances, magic, and the blurred lines between good and evil.
“It’s a story of destiny, light and dark, but at the crux of it all, everything is very human and all of the themes and the relationships are something that we can relate to.”
A quick outfit change later, and Coveney returns to where the camera can capture her again. It only takes about 15 minutes for her to get the perfect shot, earning a polite applause from the crew.
“So, when I auditioned for Elayne I didn’t know what the project was,” she reveals. “The whole thing was under code names, so all I could understand was that the show was based on a fantasy series and that the character was regal and a princess.”
“What was it like, training to become a real princess?” I ask. For a moment, it’s hard not to picture the process resembling Anne Hathaway’s transformation in The Princess Diaries.
“It was great. I had to learn how to horse ride, and worked with a movement coach to practice channelling, which is the magic system that the women use,” she says, laughing as she gestures to illustrate the process. “I was also really lucky enough to do scenes with Sophie Okonedo and Olivia Williams this season. It’s hard to pinpoint specific lessons, but just watching how these actors navigate, and what they bring to the space, is really inspiring in itself.”
As the conversation shifts further into her character, Coveney continues with the same enthusiasm, her energy now more composed as she relaxes into a white egg-shaped chair. “My job was made really easy by the writing, and in particular, by Katherine B. McKenna, who has penned some really beautiful episodes. I find that she captures Elayne so well, and I am able to lean into that,” she tells me.
“I love exploring her relationship with the other characters and what each of them can bring out of her.”
Curiosity about Elayne’s journey leads to a question about which moments stand out for Coveney. “There is this one scene in episode six that takes place in an area that we haven’t really explored yet,” she teases, a glint of excitement in her eyes. “It’s very dangerous, and there is a moment where Elayne has to go undercover. She’s trying to blend in, speak the local accent, and gets herself in a bit of a sticky situation, eventually having to find her way out of it somehow.”
Keen to avoid spoilers, I shift the focus back to her connection with the fictional protégé. “There is something to always peel back,” says Coveney, reflecting on her character’s most relatable qualities. Soon, the room is filled with the soft shuffle of feet and sounds of bags being packed away. “Because it is based on books, so much is prescribed already. It isn't a project where you have loads of creative freedom, because you want to stay faithful to the source material. I have felt that the writers will do that – or if they don't, then there will be a reason behind their choices.”
Around us, the team begins to tuck garments into protective covers, neatly stacking them for collection. “However, within that, I always love to find creativity,” Coveney says, forming a quiet smile. ”It could be in a space and how my character interacts with it, bringing it to life.”
Elayne’s rich backstory invites curiosity. For Coveney, the idea of delving into the monarch’s life before the events of the series is especially intriguing. “I’d love to explore her upbringing and her life in Caemlyn, before we meet her in the books,” she reflects. In the same breath the actor also shares her approach to portraying Elayne, emphasising the need to understand rather than judge. “If you're coming at it from a place of judgment, sometimes you can feed that into your performance. I think Elayne might judge herself in some ways, but mostly she is unaware of those things. I always try to understand what makes her tick, and why she acts the way she does or makes certain decisions.”
At least three more bags are placed around my feet while the sun, having been hidden behind the studio's covered doorway, slowly begins to pour over the ground.
I tap my iPhone, noting my final line of questioning. “So, given that, is there any advice you would give your character?”
She glances over me quickly, taking me in, before saying, “I would tell her to trust herself, like I have had to learn to trust myself.”
Make sure to follow Ceara Coveney on Instagram. The Wheel of Time is now streaming on Prime Video.
