Cape Town-based actress and entrepreneur Nicole Sherwin has been cast in Season 3 of The Wheel of Time, premiered March 13, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video. Sherwin takes on the role of Lian, the wife of Rhuarc and the Housemistress of the Aiel people, a wise and formidable leader within the series’ intricate fantasy world.
A Journey from the Jungle to the Set
Sherwin’s path to securing the role was as adventurous as the series itself. While vacationing in the jungles of Sri Lanka in 2023, she filmed a self-taped audition surrounded by nature’s wild beauty. In early 2024, she received the life-changing news—she had booked the role. By March, she was stepping onto set, ready to bring Lian to life in what has become one of the most visually stunning and expansive fantasy series on television.
Transforming for the Role
While stepping into the world of the Aiel, Sherwin experienced a particularly amusing moment with renowned New Zealand-based makeup artist Davina Lamont. Upon meeting Sherwin, Lamont exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, you have such radiant, healthy skin. I love it! But I hope you don’t mind—we are going to have to totally mess it up. I’m going to have to give you pigmentation, freckles, and dirt because, as the Aiel Roofmistress, you live in very harsh conditions.” She then laughed at the irony of altering Sherwin’s naturally luminous skin to fit the rugged, desert-dwelling aesthetic of the Aiel people.
The irony was not lost on Sherwin, as she had personally battled rosacea, adult acne, and pigmentation in the past—skin conditions that mirrored the harsh, sun-exposed environment of the Aiel. Around 15 years ago, (before launching her superfood skincare brand, Eco Diva Natural), Sherwin struggled with her skin’s health due to unknowingly mixing multiple beauty brands in her daily routine. “Too many ingredients from different products will eventually become toxic on the skin,” she explains.
Determined to heal her skin naturally, Sherwin turned to plant-based, bio-identical ingredients that supported her skin microbiome. By harnessing the power of superfoods like baobab, marula, and rooibos, she successfully rebalanced her skin, eliminating inflammation and restoring a healthy glow. The transformation inspired her to launch Eco Diva Natural, a skincare range dedicated to clean, kind, and effective formulations that nourish and protect the skin at a cellular level.
To now play a character whose appearance had to be artificially weathered to resemble the very skin struggles she once overcame in real life was a full-circle moment. “It’s surreal,” Sherwin says. “I spent years healing my skin naturally, only to have it ‘damaged’ again for a role—thankfully, just with makeup this time!”
The Wheel of Time – A Global Phenomenon
Based on Robert Jordan’s best-selling 14-book saga, The Wheel of Time has captivated audiences worldwide with its rich storytelling, breathtaking landscapes, and powerful performances. Led by Rosamund Pike, the cast features a diverse array of talent from across the globe, bringing this epic tale of destiny, power, and survival to life. With each season, the show has grown in scale, depth, and cinematic brilliance, making it a must-watch for fantasy lovers.
Sherwin describes her role in the series as a dream come true, stating, “To be part of this world—to be Aiel, to walk the red desert, to live by the spear, and to honor the code of ji’e’toh—is beyond anything I could have imagined. I feel incredibly blessed to be among such visionary storytellers, actors, and creators.”
Beyond Acting: A Passion for Clean Beauty
Outside of acting, Sherwin is recognised for her award-winning superfood skincare brand, Eco Diva Natural. Focused on clean, kind, and ethical beauty, the brand harnesses the power of plant-based superfoods to nourish and transform the skin. Sherwin’s dedication to holistic skincare has earned her multiple Clean Beauty Awards, making Eco Diva Natural a trusted name in high-performance, eco-conscious beauty.
For Sherwin, the intersection of her two passions—acting and clean beauty—came full circle on The Wheel of Time set. Having a top industry makeup artist notice her skin’s natural health and glow was a proud moment, solidifying the power of superfood skincare.
