The Rings of Power season 3 will be jumping ahead five years when the Lord of the Rings show returns to Prime Video. According to co-showrunner Patrick McKay, this is actually an "advantage" for them and gives the show "a jolt of adrenaline".

Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, McKay said: "I mean, it's pure advantage. We love the idea that even if you've maybe never seen the first two seasons, season 3 is a great place to jump in because the stories are starting in a brand new spot. You know, if you're a fan who loved the first two seasons, that's wonderful, and now you can see where everybody has gone in five years."

He added at the roundtable attended by GamesRadar+: "This character is now friends with this character, and they've moved over here, and oh my gosh, the war seems to have been gone for a while here. An entire realm got built in Rivendell, an entire tower got built in Barad-dûr, in Mordor. So it's an opportunity to just kind of give your storytelling a jolt of adrenaline. Hit the ground running from the first minute of season 3 and hopefully never let up."

The Rings of Power season 3 trailer was released at San Diego Comic-Con and showed Sauron heading to Mordor to create the One Ring. It also introduced a whole new host of characters, including Jamie Campbell Bower's Celeborn, Galadriel's long-lost husband.

The new season begins on Prime Video on November 11 with a four-episode drop. Two episodes will then air weekly until the finale, which marks a very different approach to the show's previous release schedule. However, it does mean that it will be wrapped up by the time that Blade Runner 2099 begins on Prime Video on November 25.

For more from SDCC, check out our San Diego Comic-Con 2026 live coverage as well as our breakdown of the SDCC 2026 schedule.

Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower is playing a notorious Lord of the Rings character in The Rings of Power season 3 as he steps into Celeborn's shoes. The Elven warrior is Galadriel's husband, but he has been absent from the story so far.

It's now been confirmed that this will be addressed in the new season through an "epic" flashback. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, co-showrunner Patrick McKay shared the insight, explaining how we'll see a new side to Galadriel in the upcoming third season.

"You've gotten to know Galadriel as one character over multiple seasons, but whenever there's anyone who's really important in your life, that person brings out other qualities in you, and you see different things when someone is with someone that they really love," he tells GamesRadar+ and other press at a roundtable. "So bringing in Celeborn, you start to see this whole other part of Galadriel."

McKay added: "We're going to go back to the First Age when they first met in this really romantic, beautiful, epic scene. And then we're going to understand what has happened to her and why she has had this descent that she has had in the time since he's been gone. And then getting to see him come back again, you'll see again a totally different part of her begin to come out and flourish."

We do see a glimpse of this scene in The Rings of Power season 3 trailer, as Galadriel and Celeborn dance in a forest, surrounded by golden lights. The pair have been separated for hundreds of years when he returns in season 3 and he must join the fight quickly against the rising darkness.

For more on what's been revealed at SDCC, check out our San Diego Comic-Con 2026 live coverage and our SDCC 2026 schedule.

One of the biggest ongoing mysteries in The Rings of Power will be answered early on in season 3. The identity of Ciarán Hinds' Dark Wizard will be revealed in the new season, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay have confirmed.

When asked by GamesRadar+ at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 whether we'll be finding out his identity, Payne promised: "We are! That's all we can say." Then his co-showrunner McKay gave an even more intriguing tease: "You'll find out, and you might find out sooner than you think."

It seems like we won't be waiting too long then into The Rings of Power season 3 to finally have some answers. While they didn't reveal the exact timings, the first four episodes will be released at once on November 11 so we're guessing there may be some big reveals in there.

There has been a lot of speculation about who the Dark Wizard really is, with some even wondering if he was Gandalf before the Stranger's big reveal. However, we know who he definitely isn't: Lord of the Rings character Saruman. .

"Well, I wonder if we can make news on this one. We can say definitively he is not Saruman. Definitively, 100% he is not," McKay told GamesRadar+ after season 2, while Payne teased: "I think we can say we do know who he is."

Elsewhere during our conversation at SDCC, the showrunners also teased their plans for season 3 – and where it stands in their timeline. "We always thought of this as one, five-season story that aspires to the epic, or even the mega-epic," McKay explained at a roundtable attended by GamesRadar+. "And when you watch any story or read any book at first you're not sure who's who. Is that a bad guy is that a good guy, what's their agenda, what's that person's real identity sometimes? That's always how things unfold."

He continued: "As we thought about the first two seasons, we thought about them as the first act of a huge three-act story, and sometimes in the first act you don't know who everybody is yet. But now the joy of a third season is actually, everybody's out in the open. The masks are off. We have full metal, evil dark lord Sauron. We have Gandalf appearing much more similar to his iconic, third age, novelistic appearance. And those are just the gifts that keep on giving as storytellers."

For more, check out the new The Rings of Power season 3 trailer. You can also follow along with out San Diego Comic Con 2026 live coverage and our SDCC 2026 schedule to not miss a moment.

Simon Pegg's Balrog will be "an intelligent, strategic, dangerous adversary" in The Rings of Power season 3.

Balrog, voiced by Pegg, was teased at the tail-end of The Rings of Power's second season, where the Mines of Moria – and King Durin's madness – uncovered the fiery creature lying in wait.

But whereas most Tolkien and Lord of the Rings fans may know him as the one who fought Gandalf in an epic duel, The Rings of Power's latest season will seemingly show a new side to the fearsome foe.

"So, creatures in Tolkien talk, full stop. And the Balrog is not just a monster; it's not a mindless beastie. This is an intelligent, strategic, dangerous adversary, and we think of him as a character," co-showrunner Patrick McKay teases at The Rings of Power's Hall H panel at SDCC 2026 – with GamesRadar+ in attendance.

"And every season, we want to show a different side of him, a different facet of him that you've never seen before. And we are crazy, stupid, or wild enough to imagine that this season he should have a scene with Sauron."

Perhaps teasing a spark that would soon become Sauron's meddling in Mount Doom, McKay adds. "I don't want to give away the game, but you know Balrogs know how to live in fire and be on fire and live. And if Sauron goes into a volcano to forge a ring, that might be a kind of dark magic that he would need to understand. He essentially goes to the Balrog to try to learn this power, and it also found a really cool opportunity to show another side of Sauron's character. Because Sauron is a Maiar, he's constantly interacting with people who are, in some ways, just a different class of being than him. The Balrog is the same class of being, so it's Maiar versus Maiar in this, and it's something that Sauron generally has to respect."

The Rings of Power season 3 premieres on Prime Video on November 11. Stay up to date with this year's San Diego Comic-Con with our SDCC 2026 live blog and our SDCC 2026 schedule.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's Celeborn star says Sauron puts a real damper on his and Galadriel's reunion in season 3, suggesting he may use the relationship against the elves.

"The reunion between the two of them is deeply impactful, particularly for Celeborn. And I think, you know, with Galadriel, it's the memory, and the hope of their reunion has really been the thing that's been keeping him alive," said Celeborn star Jamie Campbell Bower at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, attended by GamesRadar+. "With this time and distance between them, they've got a lot to catch up on."

However, what should be a happy moment between Celeborn and Galadriel may turn sour, as Bower suggests Sauron may use the two's emotions against them. "Sauron, from my perspective, and as we know, he uses that which you hold most dear against you," added Bower, "that definitely creates some complications for Celeborn for sure."

Celeborn is finally joining The Rings of Power season 3 after being absent from seasons 1 and 2. The news broke just days before SDCC, but fans already had a feeling Bower would play the long-lost elf. In the Lord of the Rings franchise, Celeborn is Galadriel's husband, but in the series, they have been separated for hundreds of years. We have already seen Sauron manipulate Galadriel in order to get what he wants, so we wouldn't put it past him to somehow ruin her happiness this time around.

Sauron will truly be getting up to no good in season 3, as aside from meddling in Galadriel's relationship, we will finally see the Dark Lord forge the One Ring.

Also announced at the SDCC 2026 Prime Video panel, Gandalf star Daniel Weyman shed some light on what the wizard has been getting up to in the time jump between The Rings of Power season 2 and 3. After hanging out with Tom Bombadil, Weyman says, "I think we will agree-he has arrived in season three. He's in his power. He has agency. He's the Gandalf."

The Rings of Power season 3 arrives this November 11 on Prime Video. Stay up to date with this year's San Diego Comic-Con with our SDCC 2026 live blog and our SDCC 2026 schedule.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 star Daniel Weyman has teased how Gandalf will play into the series going forward. Speaking during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, the actor revealed that the iconic Lord of the Rings character has "arrived".

"We've seen in this in this time gap between season two and season three-he's been sitting around with Tom Bombadil," Weyman said at the panel attended by GamesRadar+. "He's been trying to learn his stuff, and he can't make a sense of these riddles that Tom keeps coming up with. But he is-he is learning. I think we will agree-he has arrived in season three. He's in his power. He has agency. He's the Gandalf. I think we all hopefully know and love, and that means that as he tries to influence what's going on in Middle Earth as the darkness is rising."

Weyman also teased a bit about what Gandalf will be doing in the upcoming season. "He's on the lookout for people whose hearts have been chilled, that have been frozen," he added. "He's going to try and rewarm them. He's going to rekindle them to like a place where they can where they can grow and they can love again. So hopefully, we're going to be watching him through season three, work all ways of helping to defeat [Sauron]."

Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay also teased what to expect from the new season at the panel and were in attendance with plenty of the cast, including Benjamin Walker, Charlie Vickers, Jamie Campbell Bower, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Owain Arthur, and Ismael Cruz Cordova.

The third season features a big time jump from season 2 as we head into a new era of war between the Elves and Sauron. This is also the season where we finally get to see the Dark Lord forging the One Ring to rule them all, a key moment in Lord of the Rings history.

Speaking ahead of SDCC, McKay told Empire that the filming this was "the single most ambitious, technically challenging sequence we've ever done on the show. Charlie’s performance is absolutely staggering. We never could have prepared for it."

Elsewhere, we also got our first look at Gandalf in all his glory, following on from his reveal at the end of season 2. He appeared on a side of a bus making its way through San Diego wearing his signature hat.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 begins on Prime Video on November 11. Check out our SDCC 2026 schedule and follow along with our San Diego Comic Con 2026 live coverage.

For more, check out our guide to the best Prime Video shows as well as our SDCC wish list for what we hope is revealed this year.

The Rings of Power season 3 is releasing later this year and will showcase one of the most pivotal moments for Middle-earth. The showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne confirmed that the forging of the One Ring will play a big part in the upcoming episodes.

Speaking to Empire Magazine, McKay explained: "This is the season where Sauron makes the One Ring in the volcano." Adding that filming it was "the single most ambitious, technically challenging sequence we’ve ever done on the show. Charlie’s performance is absolutely staggering. We never could have prepared for it."

Now that is some statement for a show that last year staged a multi-episode battle that took weeks to film. We're expecting big things then from the moment Sauron turns full villain this year – and actor Charlie Vickers also told the publication how excited he is for it.

He added: "The first day I walked onto that set, I cried. "What an amazing privilege and honor to be able to tell that story."

We're still several months away from the third season, but news is starting to come in thick and fast ahead of the San Diego Comic-Con panel (check out our SDCC 2026 schedule for when that is).

We recently got our first look at Gandalf in his hat too in an unexpected way. There's also been news that a fourth season is already in the works, reportedly, and filming could begin pretty soon.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 begins on November 11. For more, check out our list of the new TV shows arriving in 2026 and our selection of the best shows on Prime Video right now.

After two years of 'is he, isn't he', The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 will go full Gandalf after season 2 finally confirmed that Daniel Weyman's Stranger was, in fact, the grey wizard all along. And now we have our first glimpse of Weyman in full Istar garb… thanks to an ad on the side of a San Diego Comic-Con tram.

As snapped by SD_Comic_Con over on Twitter, the image features Weyman sporting a familiar-looking hat and holding Gandalf's instantly recognizable gnarled staff. The beard, of course, is still intact. Check it out below.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 is set for a full reveal at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, with Weyman, Sauron star Charlie Vickers and showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne among those set to appear during Saturday's panel. Prime Video is pairing the Rings of Power panel with a first look at their sci-fi sequel series Blade Runner 2099, making it one of the convention's hottest tickets. We'll be reporting live from the ground. Head over to our constantly updating San Diego Comic-Con 2026 schedule to make sure you don't miss a minute.

The Rings of Power returns to screens this November. A first look at season 3 was released in May, featuring Vickers' Sauron wearing Morgoth's Iron Crown, seemingly Annatar no more. Exact plot details are currently thin on the ground, but we do know season 3 is set to feature a time jump following the events of season 2, and will take place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron.

The Rings of Power season 2 ended with the Stranger finally learning his true identity after much soul-searching across Middle-earth, and Sauron securing all nine rings for himself after defeating Galadriel. There are also some interesting newcomers joining the cast this season, including Deadpool 2's Eddie Marsan, Andrew Richardson and Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell-Bower. We don't know who they're playing yet, but Campbell-Bower has been teasing fans about his mystery character.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 begins on November 11. San Diego Comic-Con 2026 kicks off on July 23. Check out our list of all the new TV shows arriving in 2026 and beyond, as well as our round-up of the best shows on Prime Video right now.

Ahead of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 hitting Prime Video in November, season 4 is in development – though it hasn't been officially greenlit yet.

The news comes courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, which says the plan is to begin pre-production on season 4 this fall, and for cameras to start rolling in early 2027.

But the fourth season hasn't been confirmed, with a greenlight still to come. It does seem very unlikely that the fourth chapter in the epic Lord of the Rings show won't happen; however, the show has always been devised as five seasons long. Season 1 had a record-breaking debut for the streamer and became its most-watched original, too, though season 2 dipped in views by 60%.

Season 3 will land this November 11, and the first look at the show is an ominous one indeed: it shows Sauron wearing Morgoth's Iron Crown with dark hair, no longer in his Annatar guise.

This isn't the only Middle-earth story coming to the screen. Andy Serkis is directing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, while Stephen Colbert is co-writing another film, which will be set after The Return of the King. But, these movies exist separately from the show, though they of course all draw from J.R.R. Tolkien's works.

Elijah Wood will return as Frodo in the Serkis film, along with Ian McKellen as Gandalf. The role of Aragorn, meanwhile, will be played by Jamie Dornan.

"I'm going back to do more Gandalf. Who would have thought there was more?" joked McKellen at an event attended by GamesRadar+. "The person who thought there was more was Andy Serkis, and he's going to be directing Gollum's early life."

While you wait for The Rings of Power season 3, check out our guide to all the upcoming TV shows worth getting excited about.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 officially has a release date and a first look at Charlie Vickers' return as Sauron. The Prime Video show will be arriving back on our screens on November 11 as a new era begins for Middle-earth.

The first image released from the new season shows Sauron wearing Morgoth's Iron Crown in what looks like a cave. He's seemingly done away with his Annatar disguise too, returning to his darker roots and looking more similar to his Halbrand disguise back in season 1. "The Dark Lord returns," reads the caption.

The third season of Prime Video's epic fantasy show will feature a time jump from the events of season 2. According to the synopsis, it will take place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron. The Dark Lord will be looking to craft the One Ring, which will not only allow him to win the war but also finally allow him control over all of Middle-earth.

At the end of season 2, Sauron was in possession of all nine rings after besting Galadriel in a fight and the last we saw of him, he was holding Fëanor's hammer. Alongside the Dark Lord's plans, there were plenty of other key storylines left hanging, including the confirmation of The Stranger's identity as Gandalf, the Elves retreating to Rivendell, and Durin taking power after his father's death.

Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell-Bower will be joining the cast in the new season alongside Eddie Marsan and Andrew Richardson. It's not completely confirmed who they'll all be playing though with Campbell-Bower teasing fans about his character's possible identity.

They'll be joining the show's returning cast of Vickers as Sauron, Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Robert Aramayo as Elrond, Daniel Weyman as Gandalf, Owain Arthur as Durin IV, Maxim Baldry as Isildur, and Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir. Ciarán Hinds will also be returning as the mysterious Dark Wizard, although it's not clear exactly who he is just yet.

Speaking to GamesRadar+, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay confirmed who he isn't. "We can say definitively he is not Saruman. Definitively, 100% he is not," McKay said. "I think we can say we do know who he is," Payne said as McKay added: "But that's all we can say."

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 begins on November 11. Check out our list of all the new TV shows arriving in 2026 and beyond, as well as our round-up of the best shows on Prime Video right now.

After dropping a Sauron-centric video to tease production beginning on The Rings of Power season 3, the Prime Video show has released another behind the scenes look at the Lord of the Rings prequel – except now, it's from the good side of the conflict.

The show's official social media released the video, captioned: "The sword of the Faithful." In it, we see Lloyd Owen wielding Narsil, which Miriel gifted to Owen's character Elendil in The Lord of the Rings season 2 ending.

Those who know their Lord of the Rings history will know that Narsil will play a huge part in the fight against Sauron. If you don't want Rings of Power spoilers, look away now, but in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, Elendil fights Sauron with this sword, and Elendil's son Isildur uses it to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand.

Narsil is broken in the process, but it's eventually reforged as Anduril, which is used by Aragorn – Elendil and Isildur's descendant – in the last battle against Sauron at the Black Gate.

The behind the scenes video doesn't give anything else away, but this is a reminder that an epic battle against the forces of evil is on the way.

"The answer is yes, we're very excited, but we can't say anything other than we're working on season 3," co-showrunner Patrick McKay told us last year. "We have a story we think is really strong, and we're hoping to turn it around as fast as possible."

While you wait for The Rings of Power season 3, check out our guide to the most exciting upcoming TV shows to fill out your watchlist.

The Rings of Power season 3 filming has kicked off, and the production announcement is all about Sauron.

In the video, which you can watch below, we see Sauron's crown being assembled and transported to set, backed by the villain's ominous theme.

Sauron revealed himself way back in the season 1 finale, after posing as Halbrand and teaming up with Galadriel. In season 2, the villain was in disguise again, appearing as Annatar to manipulate Celebrimbor into forging the titular rings of power.

But, Celebrimbor wised up to his act and Sauron abandoned his fair form at the end of the season, and he even ended up clashing blades with Galadriel.

The board now seems set for the most exciting season of The Rings of Power yet, with Sauron gathering his forces and the Elves preparing to fight back. Honestly, with The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum also on the way, there's never been a more exciting time to be a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's works.

Plus, this season, Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower has joined the cast, and he's teased that he'll be playing the Witch King. Whether this is the truth or a misdirect remains to be seen…

"Jumping forward several years from the events of season 2, season 3 takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer all Middle-earth at last," reads season 3's official logline.

The Rings of Power season 3 is expected next year. While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming TV shows of 2025 worth getting excited about.

As if we didn't have enough Middle-earth mysteries already, three new arrivals have rocked up to The Rings of Power season 3 – but we know precious little about who they will be playing in the Prime Video series.

Andrew Richardson, who's set to appear alongside Emilia Clarke in the upcoming Peacock series Ponies, but is best known for his Shakespeare work on stage, will portray a "series regular."

Elsewhere, Adam Young (Masters of the Air) and Zubin Varla (Andor) will appear in recurring roles.

Beyond that, we're none the wiser. Even a Palantir locked in Amazon HQ might not pry the answers from the production, which is currently filming.

The Rings of Power season 3 has already added the likes of Eddie Marsan and Stranger Things' Jamie Campbell Bower to its cast. Meanwhile, the new season on Prime Video – which is currently undated – is confirmed to have a time jump of several years.

One mystery that rumbles on is that of the Dark Wizard's identity after he tormented Gandalf in Rhun. Speaking to GamesRadar+, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay confirmed that it wouldn't be who everyone expected it to be.

"We can say definitively he is not Saruman. Definitively, 100% he is not," McKay said.

"I think we can say we do know who he is," Payne chimed in, before McKay replied: "But that's all we can say."

For more, check out our picks for the best shows on Prime Video and best movies on Prime Video.

The Rings of Power season 3 has added Stranger Things' Jamie Campbell Bower to its cast. Helpfully, the actor has already cut through the noise of speculation surrounding who he'll be playing in Middle-earth – but we're not totally convinced.

Ever since Bower's inclusion in the cast, fans have tried to figure out which figure from Tolkien's works he could be portraying. A chief theory is that of Celeborn, an elven lord and Galadriel's husband. He's been conspicuous by his absence in the Amazon series – especially as we know he still has a large role to play in the Second Age – and would certainly merit a large role in the upcoming seasons.

But if you hop on over to Bower's Twitter profile, you'll see he's changed his bio simply to 'Witch King'.

Also known as the Witch-King of Angmar, the terrifying force helped serve Sauron right up until the events of The Lord of the Rings in the Third Age. His true identity is unknown but, seeing as how The Rings of Power season 3 could see Sauron head back to Numenor in his true form, it stands to reason that Bower's character could form part of the new hierarchy there – before being bent to Sauron's whims.

Still, we're not completely convinced. Would Bower give the game away this soon? Probably not. We'd be surprised if he's not at least somewhat by Sauron's side in the upcoming season, but let's wait for official confirmation before getting too excited.

Bower, who has previous history in villainous roles as Vecna in Stranger Things, is joined in The Rings of Power season 3 cast by British character actor Eddie Marsan.

The Rings of Power season 3 was officially renewed earlier this month alongside confirmation of a substantial time jump. The showrunners told GamesRadar+ late last year that things were progressing nicely with the scripts and that they were hoping to "turn it around as fast as possible."

For more, check out the Lord of the Rings timeline.

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 has added two familiar faces to the cast - and we couldn't be more excited.

Prime Video announced via press release today that Jamie Campbell Bower and Eddie Marsan have signed on for season 3. Per the release, Bower will star as a series regular, while Marsan will be a recurring guest.

The casting news comes just after Prime Video announced that the series would return for a third season, adding that it would take place several years after the events of season 2 and jump straight to the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, where Sauron is creating the One Ring.

Bower is perhaps best known as Henry Creel aka fleshy supervillain Vecna aka the only supervillain who can be defeated by the powerful music of Kate Bush in the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. Some of us millennials know him from the Twilight franchise as Caius.

Marsan's career spans over 120 movies, including Deadpool 2, Mission Impossible 3, Atomic Blonde, Back to Black, and Sherlock Holmes. The actor also played Terry Donovan, the brother to the titular hitman, across eight seasons of the hit drama Ray Donovan.

The Lord of the Rings: the Rings of Power is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. Season 3 begins filming this spring in the UK, and will likely premiere sometime in 2026. For more, check out our lists of the Best Prime Video shows and the best Prime Video movies to stream right now.

The Rings of Power season 2 was not as popular as season 1, according to a new report.

The data comes from Luminate and has been reported by Deadline. Per the report, The Rings of Power season 2 viewership was 60% down from its predecessor across its first 12 weeks streaming.

The Rings of Power season 1 is Prime Video's most-watched show ever, though it was reported that only 37% of US viewers actually finished the show.

But, per the report, plenty of other shows had a difficult time last year, too. Echo and Agatha All Along pulled in disappointing results for the MCU, both netting lower viewership than Loki season 2 and the much-maligned Secret Invasion.

While The Rings of Power season 3 hasn't been officially confirmed, the show is planned to run for multiple seasons. "The answer is yes, we're very excited, but we can't say anything other than we're working on season three. We have a story we think is really strong, and we're hoping to turn it around as fast as possible," co-showrunner Patrick McKay told GamesRadar+ last year.

Season 2 focused on Sauron, who set about manipulating the Elven smith Celebrimbor via his Annatar form. Celebrimbor forged the nine titular rings of power, and, though Galadriel fled with them, Sauron eventually reclaimed them after a climactic battle against the backdrop of the Siege of Eregion.

While you wait for The Rings of Power season 3, check out our guide to all the most exciting upcoming TV shows of the year to fill out your watchlist.

The Rings of Power fans have spotted a heartbreaking Celebrimbor detail, and it's all to do with Adar.

Back in season 1, Celebrimbor lamented that, while the master craftsman Fëanor's works had "nearly turned the heart of the Great Foe himself," his own had accomplished nothing. It's a sentiment that feels all the more upsetting when you remember that Celebrimbor would later forge the rings of power themselves under the manipulation of Annatar, as seen in The Rings of Power season 2.

But, tragically, his work managed to turn the heart of one foe – he just wasn't around to see it.

In the season 2 finale, shortly after Celebrimbor's death at the hands of Sauron, Galadriel encounters Adar. In the previous episode, Adar stole the ring Nenya from Elrond, and here Galadriel sees its effect – it has completely cured Adar of his corruption, returning him to his Elven form and seemingly softening his heart, too. But, it's a sadly short-lived change, as his Orcs turn on him and betray him shortly afterward.

Brimby missed it by like fifteen minutes. from r/LOTR_on_Prime

In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, co-showrunner JD Payne reflected on the tragedy of Adar. "Ultimately, [with] the Second Age, there's something tragic about it and we love in tragedy those moments when things could have been different," he shared. "This moment when he and Galadriel are reaching towards each other like, 'Wow, could there actually have been this detente between Orcs and Elves and could they maybe have coexisted?' If not in a carebear, happy rainbow land, at least in a place where the Orcs lived over here and the Elves lived over here, and everyone gave each other their space. And could that have happened in some alternate universe? But, you know, Sauron comes and does what he does, and Adar is killed, and now we'll never know. When you can touch it but not grab it, there's something doubly painful about that."

The Rings of Power season 3 is in the works (though it has yet to be officially announced), but there's no release date at the moment. While you wait, check out our guide to all the most exciting new TV shows on the way.

In a year of excellent TV, one show stands above the rest. I'm talking about The Rings of Power, Prime Video's sweeping Tolkien adaptation. Here at GamesRadar+, we loved it so much we crowned it our best show of 2024. The latest season had it all – Sauron unleashed, the Stranger discovering his wizard identity at last, and the forging of those infamous rings.

And while the finale brought all these plot threads together into a seismic showdown between different sets of heroes and villains, one episode in particular stands out as not just the best installment of the season, but the best episode of anything released all year.

The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7, titled "Doomed to Die," is the best hour and 10 minutes of television I've seen in a long time. Certainly the best I've seen in 2024. In fact, multiple times while watching I had to remind myself that this was actually TV, and not the next splashy blockbuster shrunk to fit on my laptop screen. The sheer, cinematic scope of the Siege of Eregion is spectacular, with rampaging orcs and valiant Elves going head to head in a confrontation that rivals Helm's Deep for hair-raising Lord of the Rings clashes. The effects work is stellar, with soaring arrows, hand-to-hand combat, and even a lumbering ogre played by Benjamin Walker.

And while all this is going on, Adar ratchets up the tension even further by setting the stage for his own demise in the finale. He's so hellbent on defeating Sauron, ostensibly to save his orc "children," that he's willing to throw those very same orcs into battle and watch them die. It's obvious to everyone but Adar that he's moving the pieces into the exact configuration of a mutiny – which makes for a dark undercurrent to the hopelessness of the battle. It really seems everyone is indeed doomed to die.

Then there's the tragedy of Celebrimbor, who, throughout the season, has been relentlessly manipulated by Sauron in his sinister Annatar guise. It comes to a head here, when Celebrimbor finally realises the truth and breaks free of the deception. It's heart-rending to see the others not believe the Elven smith, especially when Sauron lifts a hand to reveal he's bleeding red, apparently disproving Celebrimbor's accusation. All this tragedy is what makes it so rousing when Celebrimbor is able to smuggle the rings to Galadriel – one final act of heroism before his horrifying end in the finale.

Only a passing thing

Speaking of heroism, Galadriel herself notes that there has been "a dearth of Elven heroes" in the episode that night – but that couldn't be further from the truth. Not only does Arondir help her escape, while she herself smuggles the rings away later, but Elrond also does everything he can to free Galadriel and save Eregion. We get to see a touching scene between him and his best friend Durin again, too, where Durin pledges his aid. Only, the long-simmering issues in Khazad-dûm prevent Durin from coming to Elrond's help, leading to a truly heart-wrenching moment near the end of the episode. Far from the soaring cheer of Gandalf's arrival at Helm Deep, this is the opposite – Durin doesn't arrive, and Elrond is left hopelessly repeating, "Durin will come," to himself, even as it's obvious that he won't.

Of course, we can't forget that kiss, either, when Elrond ingenuously helps Galadriel break free of Adar by slipping her his cloak pin… and kissing her as a distraction. It caused plenty of discussion and controversy when the episode was released, and, personally, I definitely gasped.

And finally, there's that truly gutting ending. It really feels as if all has been lost, as Adar stabs Arondir – and we don't find out if Arondir lives or dies until the next episode – and takes Nenya from Elrond, who slumps back to the ground in defeat. It truly seems as if darkness has captured Middle-earth for good. But, as anyone who has heeded Samwise Gamgee's wisdom in the past will tell you, it's always darkest just before dawn. "But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow," he says in The Two Towers movie. "Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer."

In many ways, 'Doomed to Die' is The Rings of Power's Two Towers – that dark, shadowed moment before the sun shines out the clearer. And just like The Two Towers is the very best of the movies, I'd argue 'Doomed to Die' is the very best of The Rings of Power. And that's why you won't watch a better hour of TV this year.

For more, check out our guide to The Rings of Power season 3 or the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. You can also see our The Rings of Power season 2 review for our verdict on the whole season.

The Rings of Power season 3 is officially in the works after the dramatic finale of season 2 featured huge revelations and heartbreaking deaths. However, news has been pretty light on the ground for the Prime Video epic's return, which is why we quizzed showrunners on the future as part of our interview to mark The Rings of Power season 2 being named GamesRadar+'s best show of 2025.

While they didn't let much slip when we asked if they've given much thought to what the themes of this next part of the story will be, Patrick McKay replied: "The answer is yes, we're very excited, but we can't say anything other than we're working on season three. We have a story we think is really strong, and we're hoping to turn it around as fast as possible."

When GamesRadar+ pushed a little bit more on whether they're focusing on Numenor a lot in this next stage, McKay laughingly responded: "We will confirm nor deny anything."

While McKay and his fellow showrunner J. D. Payne didn't reveal any plot details, they also opened up about where we leave Sauron at the end of season 2. After killing Adar and Celembrimbor, and getting the rings back off Galadriel, we leave the Dark Lord holding Fëanor's hammer.

"For Sauron as a character at the beginning of season two, he still thinks he's the hero, right? He's like, I'm going to fix the whole world," McKay explains. "I have to make magic rings to do it and the way I do that is to trick this guy, right? That's my plan. But then to succeed, he has to double down and basically descend into the worst version of himself, where, by the end, he's the villain of this story, and he knows it."

He added: "So in some ways, the first two seasons have been the origin of Sauron, the Dark Lord. Season one, he was the aspiring Dark Lord, by the end of season two, he's the newly conquering Dark Lord."

We can't wait to see where that takes him in season 3. In the meantime, check out our guide to the best shows on Amazon Prime and our round-up of the best TV shows of 2024.

The Rings of Power season 2 solved several mysteries, from revealing the Stranger's identity to unpicking Adar's fate. Yet, one big question remained after the credits rolled on episode 8: just who is the Dark Wizard?

Game of Thrones actor Ciarán Hinds is the actor behind the character, but it's never revealed who exactly they are in the second season, leading audiences to theorize. One of the biggest candidates was the legendary Lord of the Rings character Saruman, thanks to his morally eh, grey, morals.

However, The Rings of Power showrunners have now had the final say on those rumors. "Well, I wonder if we can make news on this one," Patrick McKay tells GamesRadar+ as part of our interview to mark The Rings of Power season 2 being named GamesRadar+'s best show of 2025. "We can say definitively he is not Saruman. Definitively, 100% he is not."

"I think we can say we do know who he is," co-showrunner J. D. Payne then teased before McKay replied: "But that's all we can say." Well, there you go, the mystery lingers on.

We do have a slight shortlist of potential candidates now, and Payne and McKay have helped narrow it down even more. In the season 2 finale, the Dark Wizard tells the Stranger that there are five of them. These are Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, and two Blue Wizards Alatar and Pallando (sometimes called Morinehtar and Rómestámo). Now Saruman is off the table, as is Gandalf given the reveal about the Stranger's identity.

Hopefully, The Rings of Power season 3 will hold some answers. In the meantime, check out our guide to the best shows on Amazon Prime and our round-up of the best TV shows of 2024.

After almost two seasons of speculation, The Rings of Power season 2 finale finally revealed the Stranger's identity. In episode 8, after some prompting from Tom Bombadil, he shares that his name is Gandalf, bringing in one of the most beloved characters in The Lord of the Rings canon to the Prime Video show.

However, it wasn't always in the cards that the Stranger would be Gandalf, co-showrunner J. D. Payne tells us as part of our interview to mark The Rings of Power season 2 being named GamesRadar+'s best show of 2025.

"It took a while for us to get there," he explains. "There was a time where we were not committed to which of the Istari he would be when we first began. We wanted to have it be a journey of discovery for us along with the character. It was not a foregone conclusion that this is what would come out. So we spent some real time investigating multiple different avenues and really thinking through who this character should be and why and all the rationales behind it."

Elaborating on when they finally made the call, co-showrunner Patrick McKay clarifies: "You're ultimately writing to a destination, and I think somewhere early in writing season 2 was clear that this was where we were going."

Both are clear that it was an emotional choice, given their shared love for J.R.R. Tolkien's world. "It's incredibly emotional," Payne adds. "I remember the first time we saw an assembly of that scene where Dan Weyman says his name and says, 'Gandalf,' I got chills, I teared up."

He went on to explain that it felt "like meeting a childhood hero" for him: "That character is so beloved across so many different mediums, he's in the books, in the Peter Jackson films, and then to have him come and really be coming of age and go through that growth process, and then really come into his own at the end of the season, and discover/announce himself, was a truly emotional process."

For more on the reveal, Weyman told us earlier this year that he only found out he was playing Gandalf towards the end of filming season 2. For more, check out our guides to The Rings of Power season 3 and our round up of the best TV shows of 2024.

2024 has been a great year for television, with everything from returning shows to innovative new adaptations gracing our screens. However, here at GamesRadar+, there was one series that stood above the rest: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. After the first chapter introduced audiences to a new section of Middle-earth, the second season took everything up a notch with epic battles, heartbreaking deaths, and the creation of some pesky little rings…

To mark it being crowned our show of the year, GamesRadar+ spoke to showrunners Patrick McKay and J. D. Payne about their stand-out moments from the epic sophomore season. "We all feel like season two steps it up a little bit and the show is hitting its stride," McKay tells us. "The fact that a lot of viewers seem to feel that way too is really gratifying – it feels like the show is onward and upward."

For more on what they're proudest of and a deep dive into major reveals in the finale, key relationships, and even a slight update on The Rings of Power season 3, read on for our full conversation below. Be warned though, this interview contains big spoilers from season 2 and has been edited for length and clarity.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 has been named GamesRadar+'s show of the year. Congratulations!

J. D. Payne: Thank you, thank you!

Patrick McKay: Thank you very much. It's amazing.

The second season was a highlight of the TV year – what is your reaction to its success and how fans have embraced it?

McKay: That's a big question.

Payne: I mean, I think we're thrilled. We've been excited about this storyline specifically for a while, it's one of the big canonical stories of the Second Age, the forging of the Rings. If you're going to tell a Second Age story, you want to tell the story of Sauron and Celebrimbor in Eregion. That's just the core of it. And so knowing that we had two actors as amazing as Charles Edwards and Charlie Vickers that were going to be able to perform these fraught, tense, emotional scenes. That was something we were just really excited to bring to the world. And now that it's out there and people are seeing it and everyone's reacting, we couldn't be happier with how people are really embracing it.

McKay: Yeah, I think, look, this is a massive, ambitious life project for us, for Amazon, for everyone involved, for all these incredible craftspeople and department heads. And I think, you know, generally, on our side of the fence, we all feel like season 2 steps it up a little bit and the show is hitting its stride. And the fact that a lot of viewers seem to feel that way too, is really gratifying. It feels like the show is onward and upward.

Well, I was going to say season 2 is hugely ambitious and definitely contains some of the biggest moments for you so far, including that incredible Siege of Eregion. When you look back at it, what are you most proud of with what you've achieved?

McKay: You know, it's funny, actually, J. D. touched on this, season 2 is wildly ambitious. I think, for us, in every way, bigger than season 1, in terms of the complexity of the work, the complexity of the production, the amount of location work, the visual effects, the creatures, all of it. The show really broadened in a lot of ways. But I think when we really look back on it, what I think we're most proud of is in some ways the smallest part – that relationship between Sauron and Celebrimbor and, more, the two Charlies – Charlie Vickers, Charlie Edwards – and how that becomes the anchor that moors every other storyline. That's just two great actors in a room. And sometimes, all of Middle-earth can go away and if you have actors who are matched with the right material and some nice costumes and a couple of wigs, some of the smallest, most intimate stuff, I think, is the stuff that we feel really shines.

I guess this is kind of like making you choose your favorite children. But what is your favorite episode of season 2?

McKay: That's a good question.

Payne: I mean, each one has different things in it, and that's what's so fun about it, is this show can play in so many different registers. We have so many talented people that we're working with, in VFX we have so many fun creatures this season that Jason Smith, our VFX supervisor, was able to be the genius behind, with costumes designed by Luca Mosca that shine throughout, and our actors. Some shows have one actor that sort of carries it but, I mean, we are blessed with an embarrassment of riches, in terms of our featured and series regulars who just do such amazing work. But I think between episode 7 and 8, we often go back and forth between those two.

There's things we love in terms of the scope and scale and spectacle of episode 7, and then the ways that the storylines we've been building for two seasons come together in episode 8, like with the death of King Durin with the Balrog. That's a very emotional scene for us. And the death of Celebrimbor also, just both those actors knocked out of the park, that might be one of my favorite scenes we've ever shot. The single tear that comes down Charlie Vickers' cheek and just the complex emotions he goes through in that moment when the orc comes into the room. I've watched that I don't know how many dozens of times now, and I never get tired of it, and I always find more nuance.

McKay: I mean, look, they really are all of our children in a way. And the amount of effort in a writer's room trying to come up with the best storyline, through the writing and the rewriting – we're doing hundreds of drafts of these scripts – and all the design work... Every single episode is a seed that has to become a tree over the course of, in the case of this season, four years from when we first had the notion of this version of this story. So they are all precious to us. I particularly really love the first episode of the second season from the first cut we saw – Charlotte Brändström, who's our producing director and one of our closest collaborators, just crushed it cinematically. But from very early on, we felt that episode 7 and episode 8 of season 2 were, at least for us, the two episodes of the show that we feel have come closest to what we wanted to be.

We also had some huge reveals in season 2, especially in the finale, and we finally found out the Stranger's identity after a lot of guessing. How exciting is it to have that secret out for one and also to be bringing such a beloved character into your universe?

Payne: I mean, it's incredibly emotional. I remember the first time we saw an assembly of that scene where Dan Weyman says his name and says, 'Gandalf,' I got chills, I teared up. It was just very oddly emotional, it's like meeting a childhood hero in some ways. That character is so beloved across so many different mediums, he's in the books, in the Peter Jackson films, and then to have him come and really be coming of age and go through that growth process, and then really come into his own at the end of the season, and discover/ announce himself, was a truly emotional process. It took a while for us to get there. There was a time where we were not committed to which of the Istari he would be when we first began. We wanted to have it be a journey of discovery for us along with the character. It was not a foregone conclusion that this is what would come out. So we spent some real time investigating multiple different avenues and really thinking through who this character should be and why and all the rationales behind it. And, you know, there's a long kind of internal process, and we're happy with where it's come to.

When did you make that decision? Was it before writing, or was it later on in the process?

McKay: During the writing, because, I mean, you're ultimately writing to a destination, and I think somewhere early in writing season 2 was clear that this was where we were going.

We also had some brutal goodbyes. I think we've mentioned a couple of them already, but one that really got me was Adar, I was so sad to see him go. Did you always know that season 2 was the end of the road for him?

Payne: We didn't, actually. Very early on in the process, Adar died at the end of season 1 when Sauron unceremoniously was exiled from Galadriel, and then we just had him show up in Mordor.

McKay: I don't know that it ever made it into the draft. In the three-by-five notecards on a cork board and then very quickly it was like, 'No, that's too quick, and this character is too compelling.' We're very lucky that we made that pivot, because his storyline is one of our favorites in season 2. Two great actors over two seasons playing different facets of this character brought into life in an incredible way, and we find his death also pretty painful to watch, it's brutal.

I think it's because just before that, you're really feeling for him…

Payne: Ultimately, [with] the Second Age, there's something tragic about it and we love in tragedy those moments when things could have been different. This moment when he and Galadriel are reaching towards each other like, 'Wow, could there actually have been this detente between Orcs and Elves and could they maybe have coexisted?' If not in a carebear, happy rainbow land, at least in a place where the Orcs lived over here and the Elves lived over here, and everyone gave each other their space. And could that have happened in some alternate universe? But, you know, Sauron comes and does what he does, and Adar is killed, and now we'll never know. When you can touch it but not grab it, there's something doubly painful about that.

We got some answers in season 2, but we also have a lot of mysteries ongoing as well, including the Dark Wizard, who's such a fascinating character. I know you've said that there's almost no possibility that he is Saruman. But is that a mystery that you see stemming multiple seasons, a bit like how you did with the Stranger?

McKay: Well, I wonder if we can make news on this one. We can say definitively he is not Saruman. Definitively, 100%, he is not.

Payne: I think we can say we do know who he is.

McKay: But that's all we can say.

I also wanted to delve into some specific moments from the finale that really stood out to me. I think that Sauron and Galadriel reunion in the final episode is a real highlight for many viewers, how tricky was it bringing that shape-shifting scene together? And do you have a particular favorite moment from it?

McKay: Yeah, we love that sequence. Morfydd [Clark] and Charlie [Vickers] are friends and close collaborators. We've been doing this for years with them. And you know it was, it was hard to keep them apart for an entire season, but the sort of joy of that was knowing at the end of the rainbow – the dark, twisted rainbow – they would be reunited. We love it. That was a sword fight that we spent months and months prepping for and designing and working with stunts and building that whole set with all those ruins. But you know, some of the coolest stuff is watching Morfydd and her doppelganger and her entire manner – she's playing Sauron's version of her. It's so cool. That's one of my favorite moments. There's also this great close up of Charlie Vickers after he stabbed her, where he looks so malevolent and insane, absolutely insane, and he's smiling. Charlie is a lovely, lovely human and such a sweet guy, but when he plays the villain, it's pretty fun.

Elrond had such a tragic trajectory this season, and I think one of the most beautiful moments is in the finale when he puts on the ring to save Galadriel. Because their friendship was so interestingly developed this season as well, do you kind of see that as one of the key pillars to telling this story?

McKay: Absolutely, and in the history of Middle-earth. These are maybe the two most legendary Elves in all of Middle-earth history, telling this part of their lives where they're very different characters than the versions of them that Frodo will meet in thousands of years is one of the reasons you make the show. I think we always love the idea of their friendship, where they often disagree and they're often at loggerheads, but they're both right, and that's, you know, a discipline we try to bring to every season when they have a story. If they're going to be at cross purposes, they have to also be learning from one another and growing together in parallel. They're almost like family – well, they eventually will be – but they're closer than friends in a way that would be closer to a brother and sister who also fight and at least once had a smooch, but like a chaste smooch…

Payne: It's also very satisfying to be bringing them both closer by degrees to the Third Age versions that I think people know and love. It's been a journey for our audience, certainly, seeing what people thought about those characters. Season 1, it's like, 'Well, wait a minute, these aren't the ones that we know.' You say, 'Well, yeah, if we started the board there, there'd be no growth, there'd be no story.' This season Elrond had a really pivotal, big step in his arc. He starts off in, 'This is the age of the Elf, everything is possible, everything's beautiful.' [You're] taking him through the process of getting to where he can eventually become that more sort of jaded and cynical Elrond of the Third Age that believes that men are weak and has seen the great failures in Isildur's unwillingness and failure to destroy the ring.

We spoke a little bit about how Charlie Vickers really went into Sauron's evil side, and I think there's no more hiding for Sauron at the end of season 2. He's got the rings in his possession, he's holding Fëanor's hammer. How did you make the decision to leave him there on that shot?

McKay: Good question. Season 1, you're with Galadriel, you don't know who this guy is. You're not sure you trust him, but you kind of like him. But then, wait a minute, could he be Sauron? But I don't know. And then you feel the betrayal when the reveal is that he is Sauron. Then the fun of season 2 is now you're ahead of Celebrimbor, you are experiencing it through the eyes of someone who knows Sauron. And it's the fun of watching how his plans unfurl. But for Sauron as a character at the beginning of season 2, he still thinks he's the hero, right? He's like, I'm going to fix the whole world. I have to make magic rings to do it and the way I do that is to trick this guy, right? That's my plan. But then to succeed, he has to double down and basically descend into the worst version of himself, where, by the end, he's the villain of this story, and he knows it. So in some ways, the first two seasons have been the origin of Sauron, the Dark Lord. Season 1, he was the aspiring Dark Lord, by the end of season 2, he's the newly conquering Dark Lord.

You've previously said that season 1 was kind of all about the heroes, season 2 was more about the villains. I was wondering if you've given much thought to what the next stage of the story is in your mind?

McKay: The answer is yes, we're very excited, but we can't say anything other than we're working on season 3. We have a story we think is really strong, and we're hoping to turn it around as fast as possible.

You're probably thinking a lot about Numenor at the moment, aren't you…

McKay: [Laughs] We won't confirm or deny anything.

As we're talking about season 2, we're reflecting on the year as well. I was just wondering if either of you have any TV shows that have kind of stood out for you this year?

Payne: Oh gosh, yeah, there's some we're enormous fans of. The Bear, I think, we both really enjoyed it and admire just how spare and disciplined the storytelling is there.

McKay: I love Shōgun. I thought Shōgun was spectacular. I was literally texting Justin Marks, one of the showrunners, and just telling him, 'Oh my god, it's so great, so crisp.' I really liked aspects of Disclaimer. It's taken its lumps from certain people, and I can understand why but there are some great cinema moves in there. Man, I was in awe of large portions of that show.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is available to watch on Prime Video now. For more, check out our guide to The Rings of Power season 2 ending and the best shows on Amazon Prime.

You can also read our list of the best movies of 2024 and the best games of 2024 too.

The Rings of Power season 3 is currently being written, the showrunners have confirmed in a new interview as they teased one of the most interesting arcs on the show.

Speaking to YouTube channel Rings and Realms, Patrick McKay gave a small tease about the show's future, saying, "We're writing season 3 and there's a lot of happening in Numenor". However, most of the conversation revolved around getting into details of season 2, and the wider arcs on the show.

Chief among the discussion was Elrond, who went on a huge journey in the second season. Talking about his arc across the show, J.D. Payne explains: "There are several big tentpole moments that Tolkien gives us with First and Second Age Elrond. We know that he's the herald of Gil-galad in the Battle of the Last Alliance. We know that he has this moment going to Eregion and fighting this hopeless, ill-fated battle. Really from moment one, we've been thinking about Elrond going through these huge, life-changing events and experiences."

Co-showrunner Patrick McKay added in the interview that this is something that they discussed with actor Robert Aramayo early on too. The actor is mostly known for playing complex roles so was surprised to be cast. "We cast him to play the most optimistic character in the show, right," McKay added. "And I remember talking with him and he's like, 'Why? I don't understand, I love Lord of the Rings, but why?' and it was like we're going to take him on a journey, we're going to break him because that's the story of Elrond.' That's the story of Elrond, he's this incredible force for good who loses everything."

McKay explained this is the place they're heading the character towards by the time of the Third Age. And as Payne puts it with Elrond's arc, "The hits keep coming, it never really lets up."

For more on the show, check out our guides to The Rings of Power season 2 ending explained. We've also got a list of the best shows on Prime Video to stream right now as well.

The Rings of Power season 2 had a fair few casualties, but one that hit us hardest was Celebrimbor’s. The Elven smith was manipulated by Annatar – Sauron in disguise – to make several rings of power in the show’s sophomore season. Their conflict came to a head in a brutal final exchange that saw Celebrimbor tortured with Orc arrows before he was impaled. Ouch.

Now, a new behind-the-scenes video shared by Prime Video has revealed this wasn’t actually his final scene. Actor Charles Edwards’ final moment on set came during the Galadriel and Sauron fight, when Annatar shapeshifted into him as he was fighting the Elf. The clip shows Edwards addressing the team on set, saying: "I’ve been very lucky in having Charlie Vickers as a scene partner for most of it and we’ve had a wonderful, wonderful time. And thank you, bye."

Later in the clip, he called his exit from the show "heartbreaking". He said in an interview with Sauron actor Vickers: "It is heartbreaking for me, genuinely because we had a truly wonderful time, the two of us." Watch it below. 

Speaking to GamesRadar+, Edwards previously revealed the macabre leaving gift that his co-stars got him too. "I did mean to steal… well, not steal – they said I could have it, but I never got round to it – a little anvil that he uses as a paperweight at one point," he explained. "But what I did get given was a little miniature model of me impaled on the tree with the vines coming out of my chest." The model in question was in reference to Galadriel's vision early in the season which foreshadows the Elven smith’s death.

For more on the Lord of the Rings show, read our guide to The Rings of Power season 3 and our breakdown of The Rings of Power season 2 ending explained.

While The Rings of Power season 2 has wrapped up on Prime Video, a new fan theory has us reassessing the latest batch of episodes. 

One of the major questions in the season has revolved around the Dark Wizard, played by Ciarán Hinds. While the season 2 finale seemed to confirm the mysterious character is none other than Saruman, the showrunners debunked that particular theory very quickly, leaving us to more speculation. 

Now, a new theory suggests that the Dark Wizard is another major character from J.R.R. Tolkien's works: the Witch-king. He's one of the Ringwraiths, AKA one of the nine mortal men gifted a ring by Sauron. 

"The Witch-king was originally introduced in the story as the Wizard King during the development of The Council of Elrond chapter and was later said by Gandalf to be not only the captain of the Black Riders but a former member of his own order before 'evil took him,'" points out one fan on Reddit, quoting from Tolkien Gateway. In the show, the Dark Wizard does indeed say he's one of five – surely one of five Istar. 

"I would like this sooo much more than any other character becoming the Witch King. I don't feel like they’ve built anyone up enough to be considered 'great kings of men,' let alone nine of them – kind of an issue with the condensed timeline. But this would totally work for me. Better than him being Saruman as well," says one fan. 

Not everyone is convinced, though. "Hinds' character seems to be one of the lost Blue Wizards whom Tolkien initially characterized as losing their way and 'starting cults in the East.' He's not necessarily evil, but due to his lack of empathy, in contrast to GrandElf, he treats the Easterlings as people to be controlled using fear and sorcery (his use of acolytes)," theorizes another fan. 

This isn't the first time fans have speculated the Dark Wizard is the Witch-king, either. We'll just have to wait and see to find out if the theories prove true. For now, you can check out everything we know about a potential The Rings of Power season 3, or our The Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on the most recent episodes. 

Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke says The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will continue as long as it keeps up its 150 million viewer range.

"[That 50-episode] commitment is never the thing that’s driving what we’re doing," Salke told Variety. "We’ll continue to make the show as long as we see global customers loving it and watching it to the point where – it is a business. Obviously, we need a large amount of people showing up. And there are a large amount of people, so there’s no debate about whether or not the show will continue."

Added Salke: "There’s well over 150 million viewers watching and engaging with the show. So I feel really good. I think we all do."

The series is in Middle-earth's second age, meaning thousands of years before Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin embark on their journey in Peter Jackson's live-action trilogy. Rings of Power hit Prime Video on September 1, 2022, and became the most-watched original Prime Video series in the streaming platform's history. The show was initially greenlit for three seasons, though if it continues to do well, we're sure to see many more.

The cast includes Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Robert Aramayo as Elrond, Dylan Smith as Largo Brandyfoot, Sara Zwangobani as Marigold Brandyfoot, Charlie Vickers as Sauron, and Daniel Weyman as The Stranger (who has since been revealed to be a certain wizard that we all know and love).

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is streaming now on Prime Video. For even more on the show, read our The Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict of all eight episodes. 

If an actor departs from a show, you might expect them to be given some flowers, showered with gratitude and, perhaps, gifted a prop from set. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, it seems, does things differently as one of the second season's major departures has revealed the surprisingly morbid (yet perfect) token they received after leaving the show.

Spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2 ending follow. You have been warned!

As Celebrimbor actor Charles Edwards tells GamesRadar+, he was given a recreation of one of his early season 2 scenes – but had his eyes on one of the props from the Eregion workshop set.

"I did mean to steal… well, not steal – they said I could have it, but I never got round to it – a little anvil that he uses as a paperweight at one point," Edwards says.

"But what I did get given was a little miniature model of me impaled on the tree with the vines coming out of my chest."

That is, of course, in reference to the moment in Galadriel's vision which sees Celebrimbor uttering Black Speech before being impaled on a tree, a scene not dissimilar to his actual death at Sauron's hands.

"It's obviously a model they made in order to make the big version. I've got that sort of fibreglass, resin replica of that moment. I'm very happy with that. I did want the tree, but I don't think I can have the tree!"

The Rings of Power season 2 is now streaming. While you wait for The Rings of Power season 3, here's Edwards on why his Celebrimbor death scene was cut down from the original script.

The Rings of Power season 2 might have just wrapped up on Prime Video, but fans already have theories about the future. 

One fan theory revolves around Theo, who, in the latest season, had minimal screen time. According to this idea, though, he could have a huge destiny ahead of him anyway. 

"I feel very safe now saying… that Theo will go on to lead his people out of the grip of the Númenorean overlords to found Rohan," says one fan on Reddit. The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8 saw a faction from Númenor arrive to the Southlands at last, though they were anything but kind to the struggling survivors of last season's disaster.   

"It just makes so much sense, his mother led the people and the final episode showed they look up to him as her heir as well," the fan continues. "His name's Theo, hence all the 'Theoden' and 'Theodred' names coming from it (side note, Bronwyn and Eowyn also show a similar naming pattern between these people and those of Rohan)."

The theory adds that Theo already has a close bond with Isildur, which could help establish the ties between Rohan and Gondor later in the story (Isildur will go on to found and rule over Gondor), and that Númenor's cruelty could lead to the Southlanders leaving for new pastures, which could end up being Rohan. Plus, with Theo's connection to the Ents, the tree-like creatures could help him and the Southlanders travel through the forest. 

Honestly, we're pretty convinced, and, though some fans are sold too, some have other ideas. "Remember how keeping promises was mentioned like three times in a row the last time he saw Arondir? He's going to be the King of the Dead and break his promise to Isildur and curse his people…" guesses one person, with others agreeing that Theo is doomed to become the King of the Dead.

We'll have to wait until The Rings of Power season 3 for more answers on Theo's future, but, for now, it would seem there's a lot to speculate about. 

For even more on the show, read our The Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict of all eight episodes. 

The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8 was packed with major events – including one, huge reveal about the Stranger. Now, the following will contain spoilers for the season 2 finale, so turn back now if you're not up to date! 

Towards the end of the episode, the Stranger, who had so far been nameless, decides to take on the name Gandalf, after his Stoor friends take to calling him "grand elf." Yep, the Stranger has indeed been Gandalf the Grey all along. 

In J.R.R. Tolkien's source material, though, Gandalf didn't come to Middle-earth until the Third Age to assist in the struggle against Sauron. The Rings of Power is set during the Second Age, long before Gandalf is 'supposed' to arrive. But, as one expert has explained, it's really not that big of a deal.

"First thing to specify is that there's no such thing, really, as canon in Tolkien," Dr. Corey Olsen, The Tolkien Professor/President at Signum University, explained in an discussion shared by The Rings of Power Twitter account. "Tolkien's ideas were ever evolving."

"In the text of The Lord of the Rings, we're told that Gandalf with the other Wizards arrived at around year 1000 of the Third Age," Olsen added. "And in his later years, he was playing with the idea of maybe Gandalf coming sooner, maybe some of the Wizards coming in the Second Age and taking part in the wars of the Rings of Power."

Elsewhere in the finale, it also seemed that the Dark Wizard would turn out to be Saruman – though the showrunners have already debunked this particular theory. 

While you wait for The Rings of Power season 3, check out our The Rings of Power season 2 review for our verdict on the latest episodes. 

It's not often that showrunners completely dismiss fan theories out of hand. After all, half the fun in watching a new series week to week is the theorycraft and speculation behind each scene and line.

So, it should come as a surprise – and potentially quite telling – that The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay are here to tell you that the leading Dark Wizard theory is completely wrong, thank you very much.

Spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2 ending follow. You have been warned!

The Dark Wizard's interactions with Gandalf (the wizard formerly known as The Stranger), including calling him "old friend" has led many to speculate that he is, in fact, Saruman.

"I'll say something on the record. Given the history of Middle-earth, it would be highly, highly, highly improbable that this could be Saruman," McKay told Vanity Fair. Payne chimed in, "If not impossible."

"The Dark Wizard has an important role to play in the doings of Middle-earth, and in the development of our wizard, who's now coming into his own," McKay added. "Tom Bombadil has told him, 'You're destined to face him. And then destined to face Sauron.' So the Dark Wizard's fate is not decided and his name is not out there yet, but it would almost defy the laws of gravity and physics for it to be Saruman."

That sure seems definitive. If that's the case, there are only three candidates left. After all, five wizards coming to Middle-earth is set in stone in Tolkien's works: Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, and two blue wizards. You've got a 33.3% chance of getting it right – now that Saruman isn't in the mix.

For more, check out our guide to Narsil, plus our cast interviews with Daniel Weyman on the Gandalf reveal and Sauron actor Charlie Vickers on the meaning behind his final scene this year.

Spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2 follow.

It finally happened in The Rings of Power season 2 finale: Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) had their long-awaited showdown. With the wounds of Halbrand's betrayal still fresh in her mind, the Elven commander locked swords (and crowns) with the Dark Lord. 

While Sauron may have snatched the Nine Rings for Men away from Galadriel, she ultimately relents and keeps her own Ring of Power, jumping off a cliff-edge and only barely surviving.

So, is the book closed between Sauron and Galadriel? And is her mind free of his corruption? As Sauron/Annatar actor Charlie Vickers tells GamesRadar+, there's still going to be a connection between the two moving forward.

"I think there's definitely going to still be a presence. I think it was a confrontation. But I think, as you see in The Lord of the Rings books, he is still present in her mind," Vickers says. "And I think as long as this show continues, they are the forces of good and evil. And I think that connection will endure for the show. It's not all over yet."

As you may know, Sauron ultimately does achieve his goals of forging The One Ring and holding dominion over Middle-earth (for a little while, anyway). The delicious part of The Rings of Power, then, is seeing Sauron's rise – and the people he has to step over on the way.

We've already seen Galadriel almost fall at his hand, while Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) met his own grisly end during the finale. So, can Sauron go much lower?

"This is only the beginning for him. I think that's the exciting part," Vickers teases. "It's the first really key part of this story; he has so much more to do. There will always be more manipulation and more people he needs to get through to. I think there's a lot more to come from him."

Vickers adds, "In terms of going lower, there's definitely the possibility of that happening, yeah."

The Rings of Power season 2 is now streaming. For more, check out our guides on The Rings of Power season 2 ending and The Rings of Power season 3. Then dive into more of our cast interviews as Daniel Weyman talks The Stranger reveal and the Celebrimbor actor Charles Edwards breaks down why his death scene was cut short on set.

The Rings of Power season 3 trailer has arrived, and it promises a dark third season. The new teaser was shown at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 and featured Sauron crafting the One Ring, an epic battle brewing, and some new characters. The third outing of the beloved fantasy show is arriving later this year, debuting in November. And while that's still a little way off, thanks to SDCC, we actually know a whole lot about what to expect.

There will be a time jump too when we return as we find Middle-earth in the midst of war between the Elves and Sauron. In our extensive guide below, we've also got details on the cast, synopsis, and some exclusive insight from the showrunners too. It's certainly a good time to be a Lord of the Rings fan too, with a new movie in the making focused on Gollum and a new Lord of the Rings game also in the works.

There's also some news brewing about a potential fourth season of The Rings of Power being in development. So while we prepare for all of that, why not catch up on how to watch The Lord of the Rings movies and shows in order.

The Rings of Power season 3 release date

The Rings of Power season 3 begins on November 11, 2026.

Four episodes are due to arrive at once before two episodes drop weekly, making it a new structure than we've seen before.

This is also a slightly shorter wait than we expected too as production has sped up compared to previous seasons. The show wrapped filming in December 2025, meaning it's hitting screens in 11 months rather than the 20 months it took for season 2.

The Rings of Power season 3 plot

The Rings of Power season 3 has an official synopsis, but it doesn't reveal much. This reads: "Jumping forward several years from the events of season two, season three takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war, bind all peoples to his will – and at last rule all Middle-earth."

This isn't entirely surprising given where the season 2 finale ended things off. As we saw, Sauron is now at his greatest power yet, having taken possession of the Nine Rings for Men as well as bringing the Orc army under his wing.

After his confrontation with Galadriel, we see him standing with Fëanor’s hammer in Annatar form, setting up his forging of the One Ring. In J.R.R. Tolkien's works, Sauron forges this in the flames of Mordor. From the first look image below we know that this is what he's up too as he's pictured with the Iron Crown. However, he won't be in Annatar form anymore as he's sporting some Halbrand-style brown locks.

He'll face opposition from the rest of Middle-earth, no doubt. The Elves are bruised and battered following the Siege of Eregion, with severely depleted numbers. However, even with Galadriel recovering from her near death experience, she decides along with Elrond and Gil-galad that they will fight to defeat the Dark Lord. We expect the third season will see them rallying their ranks.

They'll have a new ally though, who has just learned his name: Gandalf. Yes, the Stranger was the famous wizard after all. He now knows his name, has his staff, and is set on his path to clash with both the Dark Wizard and with Sauron. It's not yet clear whether the Harfoots will be part of this, as they head off on their own way at the end of the season, but let's hope it's not the last we see of them.

Elsewhere, things are not looking good. In Khazad-dûm, the Dwarves are in mourning after the death of King Durin and are also dealing with the fact they've awoken the Balrog under the mountain.

Numenór is in disarray with Pharazon declaring supporters of Miriel as traitors and sending Elendil fleeing with a very familiar sword (read more about Narsil here). It's not much better for the other humans either, many of whom (including Isildur) are leaving the Southlands for Numenor.

In terms of where we leave season 2 on the Lord of the Rings timeline, we're nearing the halfway point of the Second Age. Looking at what to expect next from Tolkien’s books, we'll likely see the creation of Rivendell in the wake of Eregion's fall, but there is a big gap in the timeline between that and the next big event: the first sighting of the Nazghûl. It seems pretty clear that The Rings of Power will look to fill in the gaps of the men given the rings in season 3.

We also know that Celeborn, Galadriel's husband is joining the story too. Speaking at SDCC, "The reunion between the two of them is deeply impactful, particularly for Celeborn. And I think, you know, with Galadriel, it's the memory, and the hope of their reunion has really been the thing that's been keeping him alive," Celeborn star Jamie Campbell Bower said. "With this time and distance between them, they've got a lot to catch up on."

This won't be the end of the story either as there are some reports that The Rings of Power season 4 is already in development too. Filming could take place as early as 2027 too, all things going well.

The Rings of Power season 3 cast

Although there were some big casualties (RIP Adar, King Durin and Celebrimbor) in The Rings of Power season 2, we're expecting most of the major cast to return for a third season.

There will also likely be plenty of new characters joining as well. A whole host of new faces, including Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower and Eddie Marsan, are set to join the line-up as well as Simon Pegg in an unexpected role.

Here's who we're expecting to star in The Rings of Power season 3:

• Charlie Vickers as Sauron
• Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
• Robert Aramayo as Elrond
• Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad
• Daniel Weyman as Gandalf
• Sophia Nomvete as Disa
• Owain Arthur as Durin IV
• Kevin Eldon as Narvi
• Lloyd Owen as Elendil
• Maxim Baldry as Isildur
• Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
• Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Míriel
• Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir
• Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo
• Markella Kavenagh as Elanor "Nori" Brandyfoot
• Megan Richards as Poppy Proudfellow
• Ciarán Hinds as the Dark Wizard
• Ema Horvath as Eärien
• Leon Wadham as Kemen
• Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil
• Jamie Campbell Bower as Celeborn
• Eddie Marsan as Thrain
• Andrew Richardson as Anarion
• Adam Young as Marnûkh
• Zubin Varla as Khamûl the Easterling

Is there a Rings of Power season 3 trailer?

Yes! The first trailer for The Rings of Power season 3 was released at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. You can watch it above.

It gives us a glimpse at Celeborn and Galadriel's reunion as well as Adam Young's mysterious Orc Marnûkh. However, the main focus of the trailer is Sauron heading to Mount Doom to create the One Ring... Darkness is arriving in Middle-earth.

This won't be the last trailer we see before the show is released so watch this space.

For more on Tolkien, read our guide on the Lord of the Rings timeline.

After Tom Bombadil, a rather obscure Tolkien character who was absent from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, became a significant character in The Rings of Power, fans are hoping another strange figure will make an appearance.

This specific character, however, might be obscure to the point where we'd call them a deep-cut. "Since they've brought in Bombadil," one fan wrote. "The door is open for another mysterious fan favorite to appear." The mysterious fan-favorite in question is known to fans as The Thinking Fox, a character that appears for no more than a paragraph in the book The Fellowship of the Ring. When Frodo, Sam, and Pippin are asleep in a fir-wood tree on the first night of their journey, a fox happens upon them and is quite confused. 

"'Hobbits,' he thought. 'Well, what next? I have heard of strange doings in this land, but I have seldom heard of a hobbit sleeping out of doors under a tree. Three of them! There's something mighty queer behind this.' He was quite right, but he never found out any more about it." You can read the page itself here. It's important to note that this specific fox never appears again, and that his rather brief and odd appearance has become something of a meme with the LoTR fandom.

"The thinking fox will obviously bring the Stranger his staff," someone wrote.

"Whenever they get to the inevitable part of the show where Halflings are approaching what will be the Shire, just have a fox there to see them coming," another commented.

"YES!!! this is my all-time favorite character in LOTR. Could there be a great-great... great grandparent of our guy?" wrote another.

The Rings of Power season 2 is currently streaming on Prime Video, and you can check out our Rings of Power season 2 release schedule for the finale's exact release time. You can also see our Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes. 

We imagine your Duolingo streak might be cut short if you had to learn Khuzdul, Sindarin, or one of the many, many fictional languages J.R.R. Tolkien invented in his works. So, how do actors on The Rings of Power get to grips with the new tongues by the time the cameras are rolling?

As Celebrimbor actor Charles Edwards tells us, wordy moments such as his Black Speech scene in Galadriel's vision earlier in The Rings of Power season 2 requires the help of dialect coach Leith McPherson, who has coached actors on various Tolkien languages in the past, including on all three Hobbit movies.

"She's extremely well versed in it but we knew what I was going to be saying, which was The Ring poem – essentially – in Black Speech and I had to learn it by rote," Edwards explains to GamesRadar+ of the scene, which features the Elven craftsman hoisted up on a tree after reciting the famous words inscribed on The One Ring. 

From there, it was surprisingly straightforward for the Celebrimbor actor, who went home and learned his lines with the help of an audio aid from McPherson.

"I said the words and she did an audio bit for me on how it should sound and you just learn it by parrot fashion in the kitchen, [walking] up and down until you got it," Edwards explains. "That was my first day of shooting, actually, this season. Black Speech and up on a harness."

Edwards, who has been one of the season's standouts as Celebrimbor, also went further than most by literally taking ring-making classes to better understand the master craftsman.

"It informed me tremendously. Because when I got this role, I had never heard of Celebrimbor. I was a big Lord of the Rings fan when I was a kid and obsessed with it. But I hadn't registered who Celebrimbor was," Edwards explains. 

"I looked him up and the first thing are these fan art pictures of these huge muscle guys with hammers and I thought, 'Oh, they want to go in a different direction with that!' But then when I read the translation of his name – Hand of Silver. People often say Fist of Silver, which implies a different kind of thing. Hand of Silver is much more my take. The lessons I had with the jewelry was all about delicacy, tiny detail, and dealing with the minutest of touches. I was so pleased to discover that, because it fell directly into how I had envisioned him," Edwards says. 

"I saw him much more bookish, much more cerebral and surgical in the application of his work."

The actor also broke down Mirdania's death in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 in our recent interview, a shocking moment that saw Celebrimbor (and mostly Sauron's magic) push Elven smith Mirdania over the walls of Eregion.

"In the script, it said she goes to him and he pushes her away, saying 'Leave me alone' and then Sauron's energy pushes her over the edge which is – essentially – how it comes across," Edwards says. "That was a melee, it happens – obviously he didn't mean to do it! It's a key moment."

The Rings of Power season 2 is currently streaming on Prime Video. For more, check out our guides on The Stranger and Annatar.

The Rings of Power season 2 is almost at an end – and a new trailer for the finale teases an action-packed, explosive episode. 

It also confirms the fate of Arondir, who is on the brink of death following a showdown with Adar in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7. 

In the clip, which is streaming on Prime Video and which you can watch below, we see Arondir alive and well and continuing the fight in Eregion. We also see Poppy and Nori in peril with the Dark Wizard and the Stranger, while Sauron reclaims his crown and battles Galadriel. In short, it looks like an unmissable episode. 

New promo for ep 8 from r/LOTR_on_Prime

The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 was absolutely massive, with the Siege of Eregion in full swing. One major talking point from the episode, though, was that surprise kiss between Elrond and Galadriel. While it allowed Elrond to slip Galadriel his cloak pin, which she used to escape the orcs, it is a little bit strange considering Galadriel is his future mother-in-law.

"It's a shocking thing to do in that tent, in that moment," Elrond actor Robert Aramayo told us of the kiss. I think it's a smart tactic on Elrond's part, you know? I understand – obviously – given the lore and what we know about Elrond and Galadriel's future… I understand the controversy that may ensue."

The Rings of Power season 2 finale will stream this Thursday, October 3. In the meantime, you can check out our Rings of Power season 2 release schedule for the exact release time, or see our Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes. 

Elrond and Galadriel's kiss in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 has proved divisive among fans, but actor Robert Aramayo has defended the moment, insisting it's a scene borne out of practicality, not passion,

"It's very practical in the moment," Robert Aramayo tells GamesRadar+ "I think it's the best way to give her the keys to get free."

In the scene in Adar's Orc encampment, Elrond leans in to give Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) a kiss. While the (admittedly, romantic) score may have suggested otherwise, it's later revealed that the Elf sneaked a lockpick to Galadriel so she could escape.

"It's a shocking thing to do in that tent, in that moment. I think it's a smart tactic on Elrond's part, you know? I understand – obviously – given the lore and what we know about Elrond and Galadriel's future… I understand the controversy that may ensue."

As Tolkien-heads may be aware, Elrond later marries Galadriel's daughter Celebrian, making her – in effect – his mother-in-law. We imagine that would make for an awkward family reunion but maybe, as Gil-galad actor Benjamin Walker points out, not as much as one in a galaxy far, far away.

"[It's] very Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, if we're being honest!" Walker jokes. 

Infamously, Luke and Leia shared a kiss in The Empire Strikes Back, a moment that was subsequently spoiled by the reveal that they were, in fact, brother and sister. 

The Rings of Power season 2 is currently streaming on Prime Video. For more, check out our guides to some of Middle-earth's big mysteries: who is Adar, who is The Stranger, and the latest on all things Annatar.

If you're anything like us, you still haven't recovered from the shock of that death in The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7. But, as second unit director Vic Armstrong says in a new interview, it was originally far more gory in its nature.

Spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2 follow. If you haven't seen the show (or aren't a fan of graphic, bloody descriptions of injuries) look away now.

"We did a really gory thing where [Mirdania] gets thrown off the castle wall and the orcs kill her," Armstrong tells Slash Film, of the moment where Amelia Kenworthy's Elf is unceremoniously dumped over the side of the walls of Eregion by the combined force of Celebrimbor's accidental push and Annatar's dark magic.

"[Director] Charlotte [Brändström] said, 'Give me some really gruesome bits!' So I said, 'OK.' So I had [Mirdania] thrown off the roof, you see her go down and hit the ground, there's a really good shot, and you see this orc chop her. And then he holds up her whole shoulder and arm and starts drinking the blood," Armstrong revealed. 

"But they deemed it a bit too gory, which, I can't understand why, of course," Armstrong laughed.

It's a moment that not only contributes to Celebrimbor's worsening state, but proves that all bets are off in Eregion as Adar's Orc army closes in.

As Celebrimbor actor Charles Edwards tells GamesRadar+, it's a "muddy", but unintentional, action from the Elven craftsman.

"In the script, it said she goes to him and he pushes her away, saying 'Leave me alone' and then Sauron's energy pushes her over the edge which is – essentially – how it comes across," Edwards says. "That was a melee, it happens – obviously he didn't mean to do it! It's a key moment."

The Rings of Power season 2 is currently airing on Prime Video. With just one episode left, be sure to check out The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule for the latest timings on the finale. 

Then dive into our explainers on Adar, Annatar, and The Stranger for a more in-depth look at some of Middle-earth's most mysterious figures.

The Rings of Power season 2 just had a very controversial moment – and even Galadriel actor Morfydd Clark has weighed in.

Now, before we go any further, consider this your The Rings of Power season 2 spoiler warning. Turn back now if you haven't seen the latest episode! 

In The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7, Galadriel is taken captive by Adar. When Elrond comes to negotiate with Adar, he approaches Galadriel to say goodbye, pretending he's going to let her die because he won't give up Galadriel's ring. Surprisingly, Elrond leans in and kisses Galadriel – and if you're wondering why that's so controversial, it's because, in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, Elrond ends up married to Galadriel's daughter. So, he's kissing his future mother-in-law. Awkward…

However, Elrond is using the moment to pass Galadriel his cloak pin, which she then uses to escape. So, there are no hidden romantic feelings here. 

"He's definitely being bolder than she'd expect," Clark commented on Prime Video's after show. "She is a little shocked."

Fans are also mulling over the implications of the kiss. "Lol that kiss was a huge nothingburger. Never have I ever seen a kiss that was so chaste and unromantic. It was purely tactical. Y'all need to calm down," says one fan. 

"I was furious for about two minutes then I realized what had happened. And now I'm fine with it," says another person. 

"I know what they were going for but it still should have been a kiss on the head," thinks someone else. 

"Hot take but I don't hate this as much as I thought I would. Elrond asking for her forgiveness beforehand, them not truly kissing on the mouth, Galadriel looking weirded out after it," says another person. 

The stage has been set for an explosive finale, with Elrond defeated by Adar, Galadriel on the run with the nine rings for men, and Celebrimbor staying behind to face Annatar, AKA Sauron. 

In the meantime, you can check out our Rings of Power season 2 release schedule to keep up to date, or see our Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes. 

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is almost drawing to a close, and we have one final epic episode on the way. While a lot is still unknown about how it will all come to an end, Prime Video has released a dramatic trailer, teasing some major upcoming plot points.

The trailer was tagged on at the end of the latest episode. You can watch it on Prime Video directly here or watch a slightly trimmed version on Reddit here.

"Manwë promised you’d come," the Dark Wizard says to the Stranger as the new trailer begins. "You know me?" he replies. Could we be about to find out who he really is? Another storyline teased is Isildur and Estrid, who are seen kissing, as Numenor declares everyone not following Pharazon as a "traitor". 

Meanwhile, Prince Durin confronts his father, telling him to take off the ring. It doesn’t seem like that goes too well as we get a glimpse of the Balrog in the flames of the mountain. In the final moments, we see Annatar reach for Morgoth’s helmet, as Galadriel watches on.

Speaking about the season finale, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay opened up about what viewers can expect on the after show. "Seven is this epic battle, psychological warfare, all the character pieces coming together," McKay says. "Eight, our hope I think is to go underneath it. It becomes quite emotional."

For more, check out our guides to The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule and our The Rings of Power season 2 review.

In the latest episode of The Rings of Power season 2, two major characters kiss – and the moment is a little stranger than it might appear, once you take the works of J.R.R. Tolkien into account. 

The following will contain spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7! Turn back now if you're not up to date!

If you're still reading, then you know that Elrond and Galadriel shared an unexpected kiss before the Siege of Eregion. On the surface, this is nothing but a romantic moment between friends that takes Galadriel by surprise. Looking deeper, though, there's some weird subtext to unpick. If you're wondering why this kiss is controversial, head to the below for all your questions answered. 

Why Elrond kissing Galadriel is controversial in The Rings of Power

In J.R.R. Tolkien's works, Elrond actually ends up with Galadriel's daughter, Celebrían. Elrond and Celebrían's daughter is Arwen, who plays such a major role in The Lord of the Rings. 

Galadriel is married to Celeborn in Tolkien's works – and in the show – and though he's been mentioned in The Rings of Power, he hasn't yet appeared. That means the kiss between Elrond and Galadriel is kind of weird on two levels, considering Elrond is locking lips with his future mother-in-law, who also happens to be a married woman. 

Though, of course, within the show, Elrond seems to be kissing Galadriel purely as a distraction technique. Just before the moment, he slips off his cloak pin, which Galadriel later uses to escape Adar and the Uruk-hai. It seems pretty clear that, during the kiss, Elrond passes Galadriel the pin for this exact purpose. 

Now, why he decided kissing her was the best distraction is a mystery… and it'll surely lead to an uncomfortable story for Celebrían, someday. 

You can check out our Rings of Power season 2 release schedule to keep up to date, or see our Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes. 

The Rings of Power season 2 may be drawing to a dramatic close as battle beckons in Eregion, but some of the cast are having a lot of fun with the connection between their characters. Galadriel star Morfydd Clark shared a fan edit video of the Elf with Adar (played by Sam Hazeldine) after the pair crossed paths in the latest episode.

Posting on her Instagram story, she shared a TikTok video of the two characters set to Charlie XCX’s ‘Girl, so confusing’. The edit shows the pair interacting as the lyrics “sometimes I think you might hate me” plays over the top. Clark tagged Hazeldine in the post writing “so confusing”, which he then shared to his story with the added caption, “#rumbled”.

Fans of the show have been loving seeing the actors engage with the community like this, sharing their thoughts on Reddit. “Lol I saw that! Morfydd ships herself with everyone it seems. She is the captain of every ship,” wrote one while another added: “Sam reposted it lolol! I love that the two of them are acknowledging and enjoying fan madness.” A third joked: “I love that they can laugh about it lol”.

However, it’s fair to say this isn’t the most expected ‘ship’ on The Rings of Power so far, as fans of Galadriel and Sauron’s dynamic have been hoping to see a connection between those two characters continue. Regardless of how out of canon that would be (where is Celeborn, again?), the actors have been open about their characters’ connection.

Speaking about this, Sauron actor Charlie Vickers previously told us: "They’re higher beings so I’m sure it runs deeper than being in the same place together. I think the fact that when she turns him down at the end of season one, it pisses him off quite a bit. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of him that thinks, 'I can get her, I can get to join me.'"

The Rings of Power season 2 continues on Thursdays. For more, check out our guides to the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, our The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule and our The Rings of Power season 2 review.

Annatar loves a good trick and so, too, do the creative team and crew behind The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2.

In The Rings of Power season 2, episode 6, Sauron's 'fair form' tricks Celebrimbor into believing that all is well in the Elven realm of Eregion, even going as far as obscuring the fact that its walls are crumbling all around the craftsman.

But, once the facade slips and Annatar steps into the chaos surrounding the orc attack on the stronghold, the idyllic light from Celebrimbor's scene soon turns pitch black.

To achieve that effect, the team fused together light, extras, and camera movement around Annatar actor Charlie Vickers to capture the moment in real time, which you can see for yourself below.

"When I read the scene, I could see this move around Annatar as it turned from day to night," episode director Sanaa Hamri said on Amazon's Inside the Episode Rings of Power after-show. "And then it followed him and went into slow motion and I was like, 'Oh, this is going to be one of those epic moments for Sauron.'"

According to The Hollywood Reporter, costs for the first season of The Rings of Power may have ran north of $400 million, with other reports suggesting that the show's total spending could reach a billion dollars when all is said and done.

The Rings of Power, meanwhile, is hurtling towards its second season finale. With a five-season plan still on the table, it remains to be seen how the rest of the story shakes out. 

For more, check out our guides to Annatar, Adar, and The Stranger – plus a look towards the show's streaming plans with The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule.

Warning: This article contains details from The Rings of Power season 2 episode 6. 

The Rings of Power season 2 is at it again with another line plucked almost directly from The Lord of the Rings. The latest nod came in episode 6, and it might have finally solved one of the show’s longest-running mysteries. 

Tom Bombadil and the Stranger make a brief appearance in ‘Where Is He?’ as the wise Midde-earth dweller tries to help the Istar find his destiny. Their journey takes them to a field of trees where the Stranger is to try and find a staff, but he’s troubled by the thought this will distract him from helping save Nori and Poppy from encroaching danger.

In response, Bombadil says to him: "Many that die deserve life, some that live deserve death. Who are you to give it to them?" Sound familiar? Well, that quote is very similar to one that Gandalf utters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings books.

In The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf says to Frodo: "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them?" when the pair are discussing what to do about Gollum. A slight variation of it even made its way into Peter Jackson’s adaptation as well.

This is certainly a big hint that the Stranger is actually Gandalf, which has been speculated since he first crashed into Middle-earth back in season 1. It’s also not the first time that the character has quoted the great wizard either, with a nod in the season 1 finale leaving us convinced that it was him. "When in doubt, Elanor Brandyfoot, always follow your nose," he said to Nori at the time.

Yet, despite all of the clues, nothing has been confirmed about who the Stranger really is, whether that be a Blue Wizard or Saruman. We’ll find out soon though, as the showrunners recently confirmed to the Radio Times that his identity will be revealed by the end of season 2. Place your bets now.

For more, read our guides to the sack of Eregion and who Feanor is. We’ve also got a breakdown of The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule and our The Rings of Power season 2 review.

The Rings of Power season 2 is nearing the tail end of its season, and it seems like plenty of action is ahead. Right at the end of the latest episode, a sneak peek trailer of episode 7 was tagged on, which shows war coming to Middle-earth.

Naturally, we’ll be getting into spoilers from The Rings of Power season 2 episode 6 as we discuss what it teases, so make sure you’re up to date on the fantasy show. The new trailer, which you can watch on Prime Video as it's not yet been widely released, begins where we left off, with Adar’s Orcs approaching Eregion.

However, it’s not on the battlefield that the most brutal conflict is taking place, it’s inside the forge. "True creation requires sacrifice," Annatar tells Celebrimbor, who seems to be losing his grip on reality. Later on, Sauron tells him that if he finishes "the nine" he will spare his city, seemingly no longer hiding his true identity.

Elsewhere, Adar’s Orcs clash with Elrond’s Elves on the outskirts of Eregion. "You cannot defeat me in battle," he tells the Elven commander, "my forces outfight yours." It won’t stop him trying though, as the trailer teases some epic action that the showrunners have teased took a year of planning to execute.

Some major reunions also take place in the penultimate episode, including between old friends Elrond and Prince Durin. "I need your axe old friend," he tells him. That’s not the only shot of old friends uniting either as Galadriel and Celebrimbor embrace in another scene. She tells the smith, "I won’t let you face him alone."

For more on the latest episode, read our guide to the sack of Eregion and who Feanor is. We’ve also got your guide to The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule and our The Rings of Power season 2 review.

The Rings of Power season 2 has everyone speculating about what might happen to Adar. 

The character, played by Sam Hazeldine, is an all-original creation of the Prime Video show and does not exist in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, which means his fate is a complete unknown. 

"He betrayed and killed Sauron. And then humiliated him again in his Halbrand form, making him swear at his feet," points out one fan. "Dude's about to die the most gruesome death to ever grace a screen."

"Or, Sauron finally reveals himself and grants Adar clemency only after tossing lava on him, melting away his regal corpse, and forever onward, he will be known as Gothmog, the same bloated Orc we see in the LotR trilogy," speculates someone else. 

"Someone once wrote here that when Sauron regains complete control of the Orcs he can order them to kill Adar. Killed by his own 'children' would be a truly tragic death. And this was posted before S2 aired and before we saw the first scene of episode 1. So this would parallel the first death of Sauron, too," says another fan. 

"He's my absolute favourite character from the show! [Joseph] Mawle's emotional portrayal was definitely the highlight of season 1 for me, and Hazeldine has done brilliantly continuing the role. I'm insanely attached to his character now," says another person. "I've come to accept he probably won't survive the season, but I'm dreading the kind of end he's going to have. Given how much Sauron hates him it'll probably be brutal, but I can't stop thinking it'll also be tragic, something like the Uruks turning on him.. Honestly I would cry"

We don't have long to find out what might happen to Adar this season, as the Lord of the Rings show has just two episodes remaining. 

You can check out our Rings of Power season 2 release schedule to keep up to date, or see our Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes. 

One line from The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5 has foreshadowed Aragorn and his part in the battle against Sauron. 

The Prime Video show is set in the Second Age, long before Aragorn makes his appearance in the Third Age. 

In episode 5, Sauron, in his Annatar guise, tries to convince Celebrimbor to make some Rings of Power for men. Celebrimbor, however, is opposed to the move, citing Númenor assisting men of the Southlands following Adar's actions there as one of his reasons. 

"Have you ever been to Númenor? It is remarkable," Annatar responds. "But fractured, ever-teetering between glory and ruin. I fear Númenor more than any land in Middle-earth. I had hoped our rings might make her stable."

As one fan has pointed out, the moment links directly to a scene in The Two Towers, when Gandalf comments that "Sauron fears you, Aragorn," as Aragorn is the heir to Númenor (as a descendant of Isildur). Aragorn, of course, is a crucial part of the fight against Sauron in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which ultimately leads to the Dark Lord's downfall. 

Though, we should note that The Rings of Power and Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies don't actually exist in the same universe, and they're totally separate adaptations. Still, since they're both adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's writings, they're obviously connected enough for this to be a fascinating parallel. 

The Rings of Power season 2 is releasing weekly on Prime Video now, and you can check out our Rings of Power season 2 release schedule to keep up to date, or see our Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes. 

What creature is lurking about in the Khazad-dum? Some Rings of Power fans think they have it figured out – but others don't agree.

In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5, Disa sees something terrifying in the caverns. Initially, it seemed pretty clear (at least to us) that the creature was, in fact, the Balrog. In the novel The Lord of the Rings, the Company of the Ring encounters a balrog in the Mines of Moria. The demonic entities, which serve Morgoth are twice the size of a normal human and wield whips made of fire.

A new fan theory, however, poses that the creature Disa saw was the Watcher in the Water. The Watcher is a tentacled creature, similar to a kraken, that lurks beneath the western Walls of Moria. Tolkien never exactly explained what or where the Watcher comes from, though it does fall under the category of 'nameless things,'  which are defined as "strange things living in the pools and the hearts of the mountains."

"Durin IV calls the monster "a nameless evil, ancient and powerful." In the Legendarium, 'Nameless Thing' is actually a category of ancient, deep-dwelling, generally aquatic creatures," the fan wrote. "(In ep. 4, Arondir calls the mud-worm a 'nameless thing in the deep places of the earth,' although that particular form of creature was never mentioned in canon). Balrogs are definitely NOT of the category of nameless things." They also cite the sound design, the creature's roar, and the way the water ripples in the cavern ripples outward (a callback to Peter Jackson's Watcher as depicted in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)."

"Balrog makes more sense with regards to the reference to mining deeper. Watcher fits with the visual cues of the door and the water," another fan said.

"There was also a loud drum beat that preceded it. Just because there was water there, I don't think it's meant to be the Watcher. Balrog is more likely," another replied.

Whatever the creature is, we'll find our sooner rather than later – and both options are terrifying.

The Rings of Power season 2 is streaming now on Max. Check out our guide to The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule and our The Rings of Power season 2 review.

The Rings of Power season 2 is already proving to be a big hit for Prime Video, earning some significant streaming ratings. However, there is a big slice of the J.R.R. Tolkien fandom who make their less than positive thoughts very clear on the show on social media and YouTube.

But rather than ignoring this part of the community, co-showrunner J.D. Payne has said he’s actually more than happy to have them along on the ride. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Payne, who makes the show with his fellow creator Patrick McKay, had a perfect response. 

“The Fellowship had to look to each other, and those who support it, and remember what it’s fighting for,” Payne said. “And when we see that millions of people are watching this and responding so positively to it – that’s who we’re fighting for. And those who watch every episode and [negatively] write about it on social media and make YouTube videos, we’re happy to have you guys, too. It wouldn’t be a journey through Middle-earth without some trolls along the way.”

The statement came in a new report from The Hollywood Reporter about the ratings of season 2. The show hasn’t managed to meet its season 1 figures yet, although Amazon has confirmed that 40 million viewers worldwide have watched some of season 2 in its first 11 days on the platform. 

There’s no need for panic stations yet though, as the report goes on to clarify that work on season 3 has been happening for a while. Sources also tell the publication that Amazon is committed to The Rings of Power’s five-season plan. 

For more on the fantasy show, check out our The Rings of Power season 2 review and our breakdown of The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule.

In The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5, Mirdania has a particularly disturbing vision while trying to forge the nine rings for men. But, as it turns out, the truth behind the vision is even darker than it appears. 

The following is going to delve into spoilers for the latest Rings of Power episode, so turn back now if you're not up to date! 

Now, in the episode, Mirdania puts on one of the rings and has a sudden, terrifying glimpse into the unseen world. In there, she sees a monstrous figure – and, later, Annatar (who of course is Sauron), says that what she has seen is Celebrimbor, as he is becoming consumed with his work. 

But, what Mirdania really saw is even more worrying: the true form of Sauron. "Best episode so far. Mirdania describing seeing Sauron's true monstrous form in the unseen world was so cool, and how Sauron used it to manipulate her, made her think it was Celebrimbor's descent into corruption," one fan says. "This show gets Sauron perfectly and the actor is masterful. Wonder if him saying Mirdania's hair looks like Galadriel's under light was him playing into Mirdania's pride or was he sincerely longing for Galadriel, imagine if he has sincere feelings for her."

"Agreed. Favorite part of the episode. Sauron listening to her describe him in front of everyone was like 'oh shit, damage control time,'" says another fan. 

Annatar's deception is only deepening in his pursuit of the other rings of power, though, so far, Celebrimbor is pretty steadfast in his resolve not to forge any more jewelry. Whether that lasts remains to be seen in the rest of The Rings of Power season 2… though of course, if you know your Lord of the Rings, it's a bit of a forgone conclusion. 

The Rings of Power season 2 is releasing weekly on Prime Video now, and you can check out our Rings of Power season 2 release schedule to keep up to date, or see our Rings of Power season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on all eight episodes. 

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 hasn't even come to a close yet and we’re already thinking about season 3, which according to recent reports, is already in the works.

"A third season has been in the works for months, though it has not been officially greenlighted," says The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet added that, according to their sources, Amazon Studios "remains committed to the show’s original five-season plan."

This isn't a big shock as it was revealed earlier this year that showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne had already begun work on The Rings of Power season 3, and was working on a story outline for the season. It is unclear how far that outline has gotten, but if THR is correct and work has been ongoing for several months, we hope a script is on the way. 

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's works but separate from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Prime Video’s The Rings of Power premiered in 2022 quickly solidifying itself as one of the best shows on Amazon Prime. Now season 2 is here the viewership is only going up, as Amazon claims that 40 million viewers worldwide watched the new season’s premiere in its first 11 days on the streamer. 

The second season picks up from The Rings of Power season one finale, where Galadriel finds out that the man she had been championing all season long was actually her sworn enemy Sauron. So far, season 2 has shown a darker side of Middle-earth, packed with battle and dark creatures. 

Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 episodes 1-5 are available to stream on Prike video now with new episodes dropping weekly. For more, check out our guide to The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule and our The Rings of Power season 2 review.