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Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is bringing in new faces for its third season. According to sources close to the production, three actors have joined the cast: Andrew Richardson, Zubin Varla, and Adam Young. Richardson is set to take on a main role, while Varla and Young will appear throughout the season in recurring parts.

Andrew Richardson, a British actor with a solid background in theater, has also been seen in several films like Daughter of the Bride, The Independent, Killer Among Us, and Jack London’s Martin Eden. On television, he’s shown up in series such as Extrapolations, Fantasy Island, and The Last O.G.

Zubin Varla is also from the UK and has already done voice work for The Rings of Power. He’s acted in shows like Andor, Holby City, Will, Deep State, and Strike Back. On the film side,...

Prime Video’s hit series “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has announced three new cast members joining for its upcoming third season. Andrew Richardson will be joining as a series regular, while Zubin Varla and Adam Young will appear in recurring roles.

Andrew Richardson is a British actor known for a strong background in stage performances.

He has also appeared in movies like “Daughter of the Bride,” “The Independent,” “Jack London’s Martin Eden,” and “Killer Among Us.” On TV, he’s been seen in “Extrapolations,” “Fantasy Island,” and “The Last O.G.”

Related: 10 Ways ‘The Rings of Power’ Is Different than ‘Lord of the Rings’ (& 5 Why It Is Better)

Zubin Varla, also from the U.K., has contributed voice work to “The Rings of Power” before this new casting announcement. His other TV roles include parts in “Andor,” “Holby City,” “Deep State,” “Will,” and “Strike Back.

Andrew Richardson, Adam Young, and Zubin Varla join ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ season 3

Prime Video’s massive fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has expanded its cast by three. Andrew Richardson is joining the production in a series regular role. Zubin Varla and Adam Young have boarded the series in recurring roles.

Prime Video’s announcement did not indicate who the three newcomers will be playing. They join previously announced new additions Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things) and Eddie Marsan (Franklin).

“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 and conquer all Middle-earth at last,” reads Prime Video’s synopsis.

Production...

Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has added three cast members to its upcoming third season: Andrew Richardson, Zubin Varla and Adam Young. Richardson will be a series regular, while Varla and Young will appear in recurring roles.

Richardson, a British actor with an extensive resume of stage roles, previously appeared in films such as “Daughter of the Bride,” “The Independent,” “Jack London’s Martin Eden” and “Killer Among Us.” His television credits include “Extraplotations,” “Fantasy Island” and “The Last O.G.”

Varla, also hailing from the U.K., has already been credited with voice work in “The Rings of Power.” Some of his previous TV credits include “Andor,” “Holby City,” “Deep State,” “Will” and “Strike Back.” On the film side, Varla has appeared in “A Little Life” and stage-to-screen broadcasts of “Dara” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Young, a London-based actor, is best known...

To celebrate the release of Under the Vines Series 1 set to arrive on DVD and digital 2 June 2025, courtesy of Acorn Media International, we are giving away a copy of the Series 1 DVD to one lucky winner.

Raise a glass and toast the arrival of the perfect pairing of Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards in the much-loved New Zealand set comedy drama Under the Vines, a fresh and entertaining series full of dry wit and notes of sweetness.

Renowned New Zealand star Rebecca Gibney (Wanted, Packed to the Rafters, The Flying Doctors) and British acting favourite Charles Edwards (The Crown, The Terror, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), are thrown together as two unlikely city slickers who inherit a failing vineyard in rural New Zealand. Despite neither of them having done a hard day’s work in their lives and both despising each other on first meeting, the...

Amazon Prime’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Poweris one of the most expensive shows ever produced, and per Variety, the J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired series could be making its way to syndication. Amazon MGM Studios Distribution, headed by Chris Ottinger, has begun to make The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power available to third parties for syndication. The news comes as Amazon pulled the plug on its other big-budget fantasy series, The Wheel of Time.

In addition to The Rings of Power, Amazon is also making shows like Citadelavailable to third parties. The upcoming series Butterfly and Countdown, starring Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles, will also get a chance at syndication. Countdown and Butterfly will be available 18 months after their season concludes. Countdown is set to premiere on Prime in June, and Butterfly later this summer.

The Studio Expects “Top Dollar”

Ottinger said he expects that...

“I knew I had a finite journey to go on,” admits Charles Edwards of his doomed character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. But the actor was excited to play out the final arc of Celebrimbor, the elven smith from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth novels who forged the titular rings. In a recent interview (full video above), Edwards discusses how the Prime Video series expands on the deeds of this pivotal figure, and allows Edwards to explore a downfall and death worthy of the greatest tragic heroes.

Edwards spends the bulk of Season 2 locked in a deadly dance with Charlie Vickers as Sauron. The Dark Lord appears to Celebrimbor as the ethereal Annatar to convince the prideful elf to craft the rings that will one day oppress Middle-earth. “Charlie is a very relaxed person, a very gentle person, a very intuitive person,” describes Edwards of his scene partner,...

After being separate for the entire second season, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Sauron’s (Charlie Vickers) showdown in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” had to make waves – which is why their sword fight in the finale excited director Charlotte Brändström.

“It’s actually their first encounter of the season, they hadn’t seen each other since Season 1,” she told TheWrap during a new installment of How She Did It, presented by Prime Video. “I first looked at a lot of sword fights in various films to get inspiration.”

Brändström turned to the blueprints in movies like “The Duelists” and various “Zorro” movies to help find said inspiration for shooting her own fight. Next came the duel’s location, and the show worked backwards to get the perfect fit.

“The set was designed for the sword fight, it didn’t exist before,” she said. “I was talking...

Charlie Vickers didn't see his big twist coming.

“Going into the second season, it was really nice to have a real clear through line and to know exactly where the character was going,” says The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star. Vickers explains that he shot several episodes of Season 1 without knowing that his character, Halbrand, was actually the dark lord Sauron in disguise. What a relief then, to have all of his cards on the table for Season 2. Vickers joined Gold Derby to discuss his portrayal of the fearsome J.R.R. Tolkien villain (watch the full interview above), including Sauron’s new form called Annatar.

Sauron holds the power to change his appearance, which affords Vickers the opportunity to play two starkly different iterations of the character. Halbrand feels distinctly human, a “low man” who works with his hands. By contrast, Annatar is ethereal, regal, and possesses...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerhas taken a toll on its actors. Luckily, Charles Edwards has found a way to work through the series' harrowing Season 2 storyline.

Speaking to Deadline, Edwards discussed the events of the series' intense second season and the way they pushed through the dour tone on set. "The storyline this season was tough, but we got through it by having a great sense of fun on set," the actor, who portrayed the Elven smith known as Celebrimbor, who tragically met his end during Season 2, explained. "When we weren’t working - and when we were working too - there was a really friendly, happy atmosphere."

"It was felt by not only us, but everyone who was working on that storyline," Edwards continued. "It was just Charlie and I in that story. It did feel like a bubble from the rest of the show in a way.

Entrenched in a world of elves, dwarves, orcs, ordained men, wizards and Harfoots, the three leading men of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 couldn’t be more down to Middle-earth if they tried.

Actors Charlie Vickers, Charles Edwards and Daniel Weyman sat down for a chat at the Deadline Studio at Prime Experience to talk about their experience filming the epic fantasy series.

Check out the conversation in the video, and scroll down for photos from the event.

Created by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, unearths the fabled history during the Second Age of Middle-earth. In Season 2, Sauron (Vickers) is shunned by Galadriel (Morfydd Clark). Without loyal followers or an army, the Dark Lord is forced to rely on...

Eddie Marsan and Jamie Campbell Bower join ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (Photos Courtesy of Prime Video)

Stranger Things‘ Jamie Campbell Bower and Franklin‘s Eddie Marsan are entering the fantasy world created by J.R.R. Tolkien for season three of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Prime Video did not confirm who either actor will be playing, but did say Bower joined as a series regular. Marsan joins in a recurring role.

The series premiered in September 2022, with season two following in August 2024. Season three is currently in pre-production. Filming’s expected to begin at Shepperton Studios in the UK this spring.

“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...

Quick LinksThe Rings of Power Season 3's Time Jump is a MistakeWhy the Rings of Power Is Jumping Ahead By Several Years

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Poweris officially returning for a third season. The controversial Prime Video original series dives into the deeper works of J.R.R. Tolkien to craft a larger vision of the world of Middle-earth before the War of the Ring. The first two seasons of The Rings of Power depicted the return of the Dark Lord Sauron to Middle-earth after his and Morgoth's defeat in the First Age. Now, as the end of the Second Age looms nearer, Sauron works to corrupt the races of Men, Elves, and Dwarves, swaying them with the otherworldly strength of his deviously crafted rings of power. However, a small group of foresighted Elves and Men work against the rising darkness in the world, fighting to keep...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will return for a third season. Prime Video has confirmed the series’ renewal; season three production is underway.

Rumors of a third season were first discussed in December 2022. Those behind the series say they have a five-year plan for the fantasy series. Season two premiered in August 2024.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Sam Hazeldine, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani star in the series set 1000 years before The Hobbit.

Prime Video revealed more about the renewal in a press release.

“Today, Prime Video confirmed...

Morfydd Clark as Galadriel in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ season 2 (Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime Video)

Prime Video’s The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power has officially been renewed for a third season. The upcoming season will see a leap forward in time, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Season three is currently in pre-production, with filming expected to begin this spring at its new home, Shepperton Studios.

Prime Video’s renewal announcement did not indicate returning cast members or include a description of the upcoming season. However, The Hollywood Reporter offered this synopsis: “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 and conquer all Middle-earth at last.”

Charlotte Brändström, Sanaa Hamri, and Stefan Schwartz...

Big news has been revealed for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The series has been reported to be returning for more episodes, but with a significant change in the timeline.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Rings of Power has been renewed for Season 2. The third season is now in pre-production with plans to start filming this spring at Shepperton Studios in the UK, per the report. As the second season concluded in October 2024, there were growing concerns with fans that The Rings of Power may not get renewed.

Related15 Scariest Characters in The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is filled with fun and action but also some truly scary characters. Whether good or evil, each side has intimidating names.

Additionally, it's been reported that a major time jump will happen with Season 3, picking up with Sauron creating the One Ring. The logline for the season reads,...

One can tell a story is well told when it keeps bringing new things to light, even after it's finished. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is one such case, especially Celebrimbor's (Charles Edwards) character arc. The greatest of Elvensmiths is also the most ambitious, shouldering a powerful legacy that, unfortunately, has made him blind to the evil that manipulated him and ended up killing him. He does accomplish wonders with his work, though, and one of the greatest tragedies in the series is that he could actually have seen the true power of the Elven Rings if it weren't for Sauron (Charlie Vickers).

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been creating debate since its launch, but many agree that its season 2 Sauron storyline will be hard to beat. Rings of Power season 1's ending reveals that the show's original character, Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), has actually been Sauron all along. Halbrand transforms into Annatar for the second season, marking huge progress in the show. Meanwhile, the show's primary mystery shifts to the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), whose identity is finally confirmed in Rings of Power season 2's ending, leaving him free to oppose Sauron. Yet even this may not bring season 3 up to season 2's standard.

Now Gandalf, the Stranger finishes season 2 being tutored by Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) in the ways of his growing power and resisting Sauron. Elsewhere Lord of the Villains' villain Sauron will be on a new journey all his own. Charlie Vickers has excelled in the role of Halbrand and Annatar,...

When Nori Brandyfoot actress Markella Kavenagh discovered Gandalf might be a part of “The Lord Of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” she had no qualms about getting showrunners to spill the beans.

“So, the very first rehearsal I had with [Daniel Weyman] who plays the Stranger, I asked him in front of one of the showrunners, Patrick, if he was playing Gandalf,” Kavenagh said at a recent “Rings of Power” panel hosted by Variety. “Wrong move. Definitely bad. Wrong question at that stage. But Dan said something really cool, which was that at that point, The Stranger didn’t know who he really was, or what his journey really entails. And I honestly never thought about it again.”

For Kavenagh, Season 2 of “Rings of Power” was an opportunity to explore a more world-weary Nori: “Season 1 Nori was in such a different place. She’s seen a bit more of...

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Warning: Spoilers lie ahead for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2!

The Second Age of Middle-earth is becoming increasingly fraught after The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. The latest chapter of Prime Video's prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic novel has seen darkness taking root throughout Middle-earth as Sauron, under the guise of the fair god Annatar, began forging new rings with Celebrimbor while Galadriel raced to stop an Uruk invasion on Eregion. Additionally, The Stranger, Nori and Poppy continued their quest to learn his identity and how to manage his powers, while Númenor found itself in the midst of a civil war.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale saw the Uruk's invasion of Eregion proving largely successful as the city was destroyed, though Durin IV and the Dwarves,...

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Warning: Spoilers lie ahead for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2!Galadriel and Sauron's ties have finally come to an end in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. The latest season of the J.R.R. Tolkien prequel show has followed Morfydd Clark's Elf who, after having created the titular rings with Celebrimbor, has visions of the forger's death and the subsequent downfall of Eregion, leading to her racing across Middle-earth in the hopes of saving him from the Uruk. Charlie Vickers' Sauron, on the other hand, has infiltrated Eregion initially in his Halbrand form before transforming into Annatar, manipulating Celebrimbor into making more rings.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale saw multiple conflicts came to a head as Adar and the Uruk successfully invade Eregion, while Galadriel attempts...

The opening scene of the Season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was a powerful one for King Durin III and his kin. Ultimately, King Durin, played by actor Peter Mullan, succumbs to a Balrog as he leaps toward it with his ax. Mullan recently talked about that fateful scene with Empire and said it made him “laugh.”

In the Season 2 finale titled “Shadow and Flame,” King Durin’s son, Durin IV (aka Prince Durin), played by Owain Arthur, finds his father trying to crack into the Mines of Moria to find more mithril. Prince Durin hates that his father was corrupted by the Rings Sauron made for the Dwarves. Digging for more of the precious mithril would destabilize the entire mine, and the prince does not want his father to be controlled by his greed. Things take a turn when a Balrog comes and...

Fans of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power might have spent the season anticipating the reunion between Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Sauron (Charlie Vickers), but as we know now, that particular moment didn't come until the season finale. Understandable, as Sauron was a tad busy breaking Celebrimbor's (Charles Edwards) mind and spirit in Eregion, and Galadriel spent the first half of the season tracking him down. The second half of the season for Galadriel, however, was spent with Adar (Sam Hazeldine), the leader of the Orcs, as his prisoner. Their interactions during that time are interesting, to say the least, and in a recent interview with Collider's Carly Lane, Clark says that one moment in particular will change Galadriel "forever."...

Fans recently learned that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be getting a third season on Prime Video, but so far the showrunners have been tight-lipped on what to expect as the series moves forward. Per GamesRadar+, series co-showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay said they have a “really strong” story in the works for Season 3.

When GamesRadar+ asked about how much thought they have given to the new season, McKay said, “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.”

As for how much the Kingdom of Númenor will play a factor in the new season, McKay said, “We will confirm nor deny anything.”

Related 10 Tolkien Characters That Should Never Appear in...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 saw the pieces on the board of Middle-earth move. While Eregion, home of the elven-smiths, and their lord, Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), were removed. Thr series added Gandalf to its ranks, as Daniel Weyman’s Stranger came into full understanding of his identity as a Maiar. Also, by the time Season 2 had ended, audiences were introduced to Imladris, the homely elven sanctuary known as Rivendell, in the Peter Jackson trilogy. But not before we bore witness to an intense clash between Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and the Dark Lord, Sauron (Charlie Vickers). It was a clash that ended with Galadriel jumping off a cliff to escape Sauron. So, what comes next?...

For “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” actress Morfydd Clark, reuniting with co-star Charlie Vickers on screen “was fantastic because also our characters have been talking about each other’s characters and obsessing over each other for all this season, and it was a wonderful climax to that.” Watch our complete video interview with Clark and Vickers above.

See‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ costume designer Luca Mosca on bringing Tom Bombadil to the screen for the first time

“The Rings of Power” is set during the Second Age, thousands of years before Frodo’s journey in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy of books and films. But it includes familiar, long-lived characters like Galadriel (Clark), an elf who in this time period has been tricked by the evil Sauron (Vickers) and now will stop at nothing to destroy him. In Season 1, the...

It was all fun and games in Season 1 of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” until that catastrophic environmental chain reaction that created the desolate lands of Mordor. The challenge for every department on Season 2 of the Prime Video series, then, was to make all the lands of Middle Earth correspondingly darker and more troubled.

While retaining the identity of the series, the filmmakers behind “The Rings of Power” wanted to shake up how the show feels now that Sauron — excuse us, Annátar (Charlie Vickers) — is armed with powerful magic rings and a will to dominate all life.

That mission meant leaning on both old- and new-school tricks, where CG set extensions work hand in hand with painted backdrops to create a sweeping landscape with a tactile feel. It meant stressing point-of-view and handheld photography, even in the midst of the show’s biggest battle sequences. And...

He would forever be known as the smith who birthed the rings of power, Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), Lord of Eregion and the greatest of Elven smiths, has passed from this world, having met his fate at the hands of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's Season 2 finale. The Prime Video series ended its sophomore season with the Fall of Eregion, and with it the loss of many Elven lives, but none resonates quite as much as Celebrimbor's. Subjected to Sauron's mind games for much of the second season, Celebrimbor manages to break the cycle just before his city falls, and he is impaled by Annatar (aka Sauron) after being filled with Orc arrows.

The following contains major spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8, "Shadow and Flame," now streaming on Prime Video.

Actor Charles Edwards is opening up about the Season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in a new behind-the-scenes video. Per GamesRadar+, the clip posted by the official Rings of Power X account, shows Edwards, who played the Elven smith Celebrimbor, being applauded by the cast and crew of the Amazon Prime Video show as his time on the series came to an end.

An off-camera voice can be heard saying, Ladies and gentlemen, that is a series release on Mr. Charles Edwards. Thank you very, very much. The Celebrimbor actor, still dressed in his Elven clothing, addresses the group on-set, saying, Ive been very lucky in having Charlie Vickers (Sauron/Annatar) as a scene partner for most of it.

The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8, Shadow and Flame," now streaming on Prime Video.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power helped increase Prime Videos ratings for September. Per Deadline, Nielsen ratings were up 12% for Prime Video from August, mainly due to the J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired series and Thursday Night Football.

Rings of Power was the third most-watched title among all streamers in September with 4.3 billion viewing minutes. The success was due in part to the launch of Season 2 of the series. Season 2 of the fantasy series brought with it answers to several questions left from Season 1, such as the identity of The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), and the deaths of several key characters.

Related "Make Lord of the Rings Fans Smile": War of the Rohirrim Director Determined to 'Protect' Peter Jackson's Movies

The Lord of the...

Mirdania (Amelia Kenworthy) was one of the Gwaith-i-Mrdain Elven-smiths and Celebrimbors (Charles Edwards) protog, with her fate in The Rings of Power even more tragic than her mentor's. Mirdania, like the Elves of Eregion (and most of Middle-earth), was manipulated by Sauron (Charlie Vickers) into helping craft the Rings of Power before meeting her demise at his hand. Celebrimbor was likewise deceived by Sauron, meeting the same fate, but there was one significant difference between their deaths.

Mirdanias Rings of Power character foretells, nearly verbatim, what is to befall Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor often mimics her actions in the proceeding scene or episode, creating a symmetry between the characters. Mirdania and Celebrimbor both offered shelter to Sauron, even though they were told to do otherwise. They also both help him craft rings for men. After initially aiding Sauron, they glimpsed who he really was but were further manipulated into not seeing his actual corrupt state,...

Sir Ian McKellen looked to none other than J.R.R. Tolkien for inspiration on his interpretation of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and its Hobbit prequels. McKellen said, via Entertainment Weekly, that he used recordings of the legendary authors smoky voice to help with his depiction of the wizard.

We found a recording of Tolkien reading a bit of The Hobbit. It was very useful to hear the smoky voice - very English, rather professorial. Well, he was a university teacher, McKellen said of the author who taught English language and literature at the university level for a good part of his life and specialized in Old and Middle English.

Related Rings of Power Showrunners Say the Dark Wizard May Not Be Who Fans Think He Is

The Dark Wizard portrayed on The Rings of Power may not be who everyone thinks he is, according to series showrunners.

We've got another doozy winging your way on the Empire Podcast this week, folks. On the guest front, our man in LA James White talks to Sarah Paulson, star and producer of new Disney+ thriller Hold Your Breath, about milking tension — and also cows [21:33 — 34:08 approx]. Then, Chris Hewitt sits down for a chinwag about vampires, changing tyres, and playing people called Bob with Lewis Pullman, star of the latest screen take on Stephen King's Salem's Lot, which is finally hitting our screens after a couple of years spent dwelling in the dark [52:39 - 1:09:31 approx]. And as if that weren't enough star power already to be going on with, we also bring you a special preview of our incredible The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power S2 Spoiler Special Q&a with showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, creative producer Lindsey Weber, and stars Charles Edwards, Megan Richards, and Daniel Weyman...

The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8, Shadow and Flame," now streaming on Prime Video.

The future of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power seems to be bright, according to Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. Salke told Variety, she feels really good about the series, which ended its second season on Oct. 3.

Salke said over 55 million people have engaged with the show since Season 2 launched on Aug. 29. And if you look at the long-term trajectory, which is how this company looks at an asset like that, this is a long-term investment in that franchise. () Theres well over 150 million viewers watching and engaging with the show, Salke said. So, I feel really good. I think we all do, she added.

Related 'It Was Pretty Pathetic': Rings of Power Star Reveals Big Problem With Filming Sauron & Galadriel Fight...

The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power wrapped up the other week with an eventual, action-packed finale. King Durin fights the balrog! The Stranger's identity revealed! And of course, the Siege of Eregion raged on, with Sauron killing the elven smith Celebrimbor before crossing swords with his former friend Galadriel in a fun fight where Sauron changes his appearance several times to throw his opponent off her game, appearing as the divine Annatar, the grounded Halbrand, Celebrimbor and even Galadriel herself. As established in author J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings mythology, Sauron is basically a god and can do stuff like that.

It was a jolt getting to see Halbrand, the earlier incarnation of Sauron from the first season, even for a moment. But for actor Charlie Vickers, switching back and forth came with challenges. "I think I did the Halbrand stuff on a Monday morning.

Despite some negative reviews and criticism from self-proclaimed “fans,” The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon has emerged as a popular series.

The second season premiered on August 29, 2024, and concluded on October 3, 2024, with the final episode titled “Shadow and Flame.”

Amazon has deemed the second season a success, with both fans and critics noting it as an improvement over the first season. As a result, viewers are still buzzing about the revelations from the last episode while awaiting official news on the possibility of a third season.

But it’s not just the fans who are talking! Showrunners Jd Payne and Patrick McKay recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss several intriguing details about the final episode. In this report, we’ll highlight their insights related to the fascinating relationship between Celebrimbor and Sauron!

We anticipated that the second season would focus on Sauron’s ascent,...

In spite of some negative reviews and criticism from self-described “fans,” The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon turned out to be a popular series. August 29, 2024 saw the debut of the second season of the show, which ran until October 3, 2024, with the final episode being titled “Shadow and Flame.”

The second season has been deemed successful by Amazon. Fans and critics alike have also pointed out that it’s an improvement over the first season. Consequently, the fans are still talking about the revelations from the last episode even though we’re all waiting for official word on whether or not a third season will be produced.

But not just the fans! Namely, showrunners Jd Payne and Patrick McKay sat down for a talk with The Hollywood Reporter in which they revealed several interesting details about the final episode.

In this report, we are going to...

Warning: the following story contains spoilers from “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Season 2, Episode 8 — read at your own risk!

Prime Video celebrated the end of the second season of “The Rings of Power” by gathering some of the cast members for a screening of the 74-minute finale, “Shadow and Flame,” on Tuesday night. The all-guild FYC event was held at The London Hotel West Hollywood and featured a cast Q&a with Charlie Vickers as Sauron/Halbrand/Annatar, Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor, Markella Kavenagh as Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot, Maxim Baldry as Isildur, and Owain Arthur as Prince Durin.

The cast members talked about what they were most excited to tackle in Season 2, the pressures working on the big-budget fantasy series based on the J. R. R. Tolkien books, and how they have to keep so many secrets because “Lotr” characters like Sauron and Gandalf are so well-known.

The following contains major spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8, "Shadow and Flame," now streaming on Prime Video.

Much preparation went into the epic battle scene between Sauron and Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) in the Season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Sauron actor Charlie Vickers and the episodes director, Charlotte Brndstrm spoke with CinemaBlend about all that went into the showdown between the two iconic J.R.R. Tolkien characters.

Notably in the scene, Vickers character morphs several times - from the blond, clean-shaven Elf, Annatar, to Halbrand then to Galadriel, and the Elven smith Celebrimbor before ending the scene as Annatar. In Season 1, of The Rings of Power, Sauron was continuously disguised as Halbrand, a brunette and often scruffy-looking man, quite different from Annatar. Vickers described what went into the shapeshifting aspect of the battle.

Related Rings of Power...

The Rings of Power season 2 was a big improvement on its predecessor, with 10 moments standing out as the season's best. Although The Rings of Power's cast remained mostly the same in season 2, the overall quality of storytelling was much stronger. It is worth pointing out that season 1 was not bad, but by the time of The Rings of Power season 2's ending, it was clear how much more confident and assured the second installment in the Prime Video show truly was.

The Rings of Power season 2 continued the exploration of The Lord of the Rings' Second Age, specifically the defining moment in which Sauron manipulated Celebrimbor into crafting the titular jewelry. As Sauron's Rings of Power plan fell into place, darkness rose around the many characters sworn to oppose him, from Galadriel and Elrond to Durin III, the wizard known as The Stranger, and those residing in Nmenor. Across these...

Editor's Note: This article contains spoilers for 'Rings of Power' and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien."I have many names." How many times has Sauron (Charlie Vickers) actually said that in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? A deceiver by nature, one would expect Sauron to have many names, indeed, and his exhaustive repetition has turned this quote into a meme already. In the Season 2 finale, "Shadow and Flame," he says it to the Orc Glg (Robert Strange) after killing Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), and, now, the question is inevitable: just how many names does Sauron really have?...

The following contains major spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8, "Shadow and Flame," now streaming on Prime Video.

Season 2 of The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power may have concluded, but there is still speculation about the identity of one character - the curious Dark Wizard played by Oscar-nominated actor Ciarn Hinds. While he may be an "Istar," the question remains if he is, as many have wondered, Saruman. However, Sci-fi & Fantasy Gazette, via Vanity Fair, reported that Rings of Power showrunners say that assumption is unlikely.

Saruman, who is also known as Saruman the White, in The Lord of the Rings, was the first of the Istari, the emissaries of the Valar, sent to Middle-earth in the Third Age to help counteract the evil Sauron. However, he was corrupted and overcome with a great desire for power, and became one of Saurons greatest servants.

The following contains major spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8, "Shadow and Flame," now streaming on Prime Video.

With the identity of The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) revealed in the Season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, some fans were left wondering whether the character made his debut too early and breaks from the lore established by The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien. Per IGN, a new post by Prime Video has a Tolkien Professors take on the story.

Dr. Corey Olsen, president of Signum University and Mythgard Institute, talked about how canon in Tolkiens world may not actually be canon in the traditional sense. Signum University, based in New Hampshire, offers graduate courses in Tolkien studies.

Related Why Tolkien Disliked the Titles of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The Lord of the Rings was not...

The second season finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power aired earlier this week, and we had the pleasure with speaking to several cast and crew members about the show, the season, the characters, and where things go from here. Check out our exclusive interviews below!

Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

Robert Aramayo (Elrond) and Benjamin Walker (Gil-galad) talk snatching victory from the jaws of defeat

WinterIsComing: You two were left out of the big action episode in season 1 of The Rings of Power. This time, you were in the thick of it these past two episodes. Were you guys happy you got to mix it up this time? And what was the preparation like for these action scenes?

Robert Aramayo: The main thing was we were doing the siege of Eregion, you know what I mean? So it was some battle with...

The second season of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power came to an end this week, and the finale seemed to leave little doubt as to the identity of the "Dark Wizard" played by Game of Thrones alum Ciarán Hinds.

However, all may not be as it seems when it comes to this mysterious and very powerful character.

We know that this blatantly evil sorcerer is an "Istar," and it was generally assumed that he must be Sarauman. Granted, it would be a pretty major change to the lore if this character "broke bad" prior to the events of Tolkien's trilogy, but so would the introduction of another Istari who was never mentioned in the saga at all.

This led to speculation that Hinds might be playing either Alatar or Pallando, the "Blue Wizards" who are never really discussed in any great detail in The Lord of the Rings...

Warning: Contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale!Celebrimbor actor Charles Edwards has unpacked the prophecy his character makes about Saurons One Ring during The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale. Despite finally breaking free of Saurons bewitchment and sending the nine rings of Men away with Galadriel, Celebrimbor finds himself being brutally tortured for knowledge of their whereabouts. In his final moments, Edwards Elven smith taunts his captor with a vision that the Rings of Power will ultimately lead to Saurons own destruction. It is these fateful words that prompt the aspiring Dark Lord to take Celembrimbors life with a final arrow through the heart.

Speaking with Vulture following the recent Rings of Power season 2 finale, Edwards was asked about the true nature of his prophetic words. Likening his characters own vision to the one experienced by Galadriel...

[Editor’s note: The following post contains spoilers for “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”]

A spotting session is a common practice in film and TV scoring that sets a composer up to write the music for a given project, where the showrunners/filmmakers watch cuts and figure out where they want music and discuss what they want that music to do. But talking about music in the abstract can, in the words of composer Bear McCreary, be a little bit like dancing about architecture. Even when you’re trained in music theory, part of what’s beautiful about it is you’re never quite going to build the idea out of words themselves.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” concluded its second season with Sauron (Charlie Vickers) holding sway over Eregion — if not over the apparent elven ability to fall off of tall cliffs and survive. None of the twists and turns...

Warning: Major Spoilers lie ahead for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale!

Every narrative thread is coming to a head in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale. The latest season of the Prime Video prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's novels has seen the feeling of evil slowly spread throughout Middle-earth, with Galadriel still hunting for Sauron after revealing himself in his Halbrand disguise, while the Dark Lord hides in Eregion in his Elven form of Annatar to work with Celebrimbor to forge new rings. All the while, Nmenor finds itself in the midst of a power battle between Mriel and Pharazn, while the Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dm falls into shambles.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale sees the Uruk's siege on Eregion largely succeeding, destroying the Elven realm and all of Celebrimbor's works, while...

The following contains major spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 8, "Shadow and Flame," now streaming on Prime Video.

More stories from Middle-Earth may yet be told as Prime Video could be on the cusp of renewing The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power for a third season. The Hollywood Reporter stated an announcement regarding a third season of the epic fantasy series is forthcoming, and could likely be announced as soon as this month.

Jd Payne and Patrick McKay, showrunners for Rings of Power, have reportedly been working on next season already, but an official announcement has yet to come. This week, Prime Videos UK Upfront presentation in London, which is geared towards advertisers, featured several actors from the show.

On hand at the presentation were Rings of Power actors Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Queen Regent Mriel), Charlie Vickers (Sauron/Halbrand/Annatar) and Sophia Nomvete (Disa). Typically,...

Warning: Major Spoilers lie ahead for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale!

Middle-earth is no longer a peaceful land for Elves in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. On the verge of having to leave Lindon due to the death of their tree of life, though even with the construction of the three Elven Rings of Power preserving it, Elves found themselves in a state of turmoil, as Galadriel revealed that Halbrand was actually Sauron. Furthermore, the city of Eregion, home to ring forger Celebrimbor, becomes the target for Adar and the Uruk, all while Celebrimbor inadvertently welcomes Sauron in when he presents himself as Annatar, an Elven god of gifts, and creating more of the titular rings.

The latter half of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 saw Elrond strive to enlist the Dwarves to aid...