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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...

Two months after the conclusion of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, a wild fan theory about Kemen (Leon Wadham) has continued to pick up steam. Introduced in Season 1 as the arrogant and ambitious noble from Númenor, Kemen also serves as the Mouth of King Al-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), speaking on behalf of his dictatorial father.

Reading the tea leaves, fans believe Kemen will eventually devolve from The Mouth of Ar-Pharazôn to the Mouth of Sauron, one of J.R.R. Tolkien's most lethal lieutenants bolstering Sauron's army. A few crucial pieces of evidence support the theory, although fans must wait until Season 3 arrives in 2026 to receive definitive answers. With plenty of time to sift through the support, here's why fans believe Kemen could become The Mouth of Sauron when The Rings of Power returns in 2026.

Who is The Mouth of Sauron in 'LotR' Canon?

New Line Cinema...

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...

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 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: This review contains spoilers for The Rings of Power's season 2 finaleThe Rings of Power is playing the long game. That's been clear since reports first emerged about creators Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne's five-season, billion-dollar plan for J.R.R. Tolkien's masterworks. To tell a story at this scale with this level of production value, planning is vital. But, part of what makes television so great is improvisation. Sure, it can lead to less-than-stellar results. But improvisation, or lack of a detailed map, has led to some of the best television ever created.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Cast Amelia Kenworthy, Bridie Sisson, Robert Strange, Sara Zwangobani, Sophia Nomvete, Trystan Gravelle, Daniel Weyman, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Peter Tait, Anthony Crum, Owain Arthur, Leon Wadham, Thusitha Jayasundera, Tyroe Muhafidin, Beau Cassidy, Maxine Cunliffe, Charlie Vickers, Lloyd Owen, Geoff Morrell, Kevin Eldon, Sam Hazeldine, Charles Edwards,...

Warning! Major spoilers ahead for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power director Charlotte Brndstrm and director of photography Alex Disenhof explain Adar's dark fate in the season 2 finale. Prime Video's hit The Lord of the Rings show created by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, just concluded its sophomore outing, teeing up an explosive season 3. After playing an important role as a villain in most episodes thus far, The Rings of Power's season 2 finale sees Adar (Sam Hazeldine) betrayed and killed by the Orcs he calls his children after they fall under Sauron's (Charlie Vickers) control.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Brndstrm and Disenhof delve into how they shot Adar's final scene with Galadriel in The Rings of Power's season 2 finale, which comes just before his death. The creatives explain that they mirrored...

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

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 finale director Charlotte Brndstrm and cinematographer Alex Disenhof explain the new Elven lands featured in the episode. Continuing its story of the rise of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) during the Second Age of Middle-eath, Prime Video's Lord of the Rings series created by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne just concluded its sophomore outing. The Rings of Power's season 2 finale featured a number of big developments, concluding in a new Elven land as Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), and Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) plan their next moves.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Brndstrm and Disenhof delve into those new Elven locations featured in The Rings of Power's season 2 finale. After the brutal and bloody fall of Eregion, the two creatives explain that it was important...

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

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Charlie Vickers explains why Sauron chooses to spare Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) in the season 2 finale. Created by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, the hit Prime Video Lord of the Rings show returned for its sophomore outing in August, chronicling Sauron's rise to power during the Second Age. Sauron and Galadriel finally face off again in The Rings of Power season 2 finale in an epic duel, before which Sauron tries one last time to get her to join him as a ruler of Middle-earth.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Vickers delves into why Sauron didn't immediately kill Galadriel in The Rings of Power's season 2 finale, despite having the opportunity to. According to the actor, Sauron still saw a potential to get Galadriel on-side. After the events of the finale,...

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

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Robert Aramayo teases Elrond's journey to come in a potential season 3. After returning for its sophomore outing in August, Prime Video's Lord of the Rings show created by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne just released its action-packed finale, with Elrond once again playing a key role. Though Eregion is essentially lost in episode 7, The Rings of Power's season 2 finale sees Elrond and Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) lead the surviving citizens to safety, teeing up a continued struggle against Sauron (Charlie Vickers) in the future.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Aramayo and Gil-Galad actor Benjamin Walker tease what might be next for Elrond should The Rings of Power season 3 get the green light. According to Aramayo, who is well versed in J.R.R. Tolkien's source material,...

Prime Video has already released a brief promo for this Thursday's season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, but an extended version has now been shared online which features quite a bit of new footage.

Spoilers for the previous episode follow.

It's not the best quality, but the video shows more of the fierce battle between Galadriel and Sauron that was teased in the first trailer. The Dark Lord is still in his Annatar form here - but as we've already seen, this makes him no less powerful.

We also have another shot of the Balrog, who was first awakened from his long slumber in the season 2 finale. The fiery demon will be unleashed from his cavern deep beneath Moria when King Durin refuses to listen to his son and digs far too deeply into the mountain.

Finally, we get a glimpse of the Dark Wizard (surely Saruman?...

The penultimate season 2 episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming, and despite featuring a massive battle and a couple of deaths (though we'd say Arondir is still kicking), it was a kiss between two characters that emerged as the biggest talking point.

Spoilers from this point on.

Though they never had a relationship in J.R.R. Tolkien's source material, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo) locked lips in "Doomed To Die." Were these Elven comrades simply unable to contain their feelings any longer, giving in to their passionate desire for one another?

Not exactly.

The kiss was actually a strategic play on Elrond's part, as he was able to slip the captured Galadriel a cloak pin that she would later use to free herself from Adar. While some fans enjoyed this moment and are even "shipping" the characters, a lot of others...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 stunt coordinator and second unit director Vic Armstrong explains Morfydd Clark's Galadriel evolution. Returning for its sophomore outing last month, Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings series, which hails from creators Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, continues to put Galadriel front and center in the action. In The Rings of Power season 2, Galadriel's quest against Sauron rages once more from season 1, and the Elven warrior remains a major force for change in Middle-earth, both on the battlefield and off.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Armstrong touches on how Clark's Galadriel has changed in The Rings of Power season 2, revealing some of the behind-the-scenes filming details. Armstrong shares immense praise for Clark and her physicality as a performer, as well as her positive attitude towards stunts and doing her own action sequences, particularly when it comes to horse riding.

The intense penultimate episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming, and "Doomed To Die" focused on the devastating Battle of Eregion, as Adar - with Galadriel as his prisoner - and his forces launched an attack on the Elven kingdom while Elrond and King Gil-glad mounted a desperate defence.

Spoilers follow.

With Durin unable to keep his word to Elrond by sending an army of Dwarves to bolster the Elven ranks, Adar ultimately emerges victorious, stabbing Arondir (possibly fatally) and seizing Galadriel's ring, Nenya, from Elrond before flinging the Elf to the ground.

Meanwhile, Celebrimbor realizes that Annatar has been Sauron all along, and he's been tricked into forging the nine rings for mortal men while his city crumbles around him.

Prime Video has now released a brief promo for next week's season 2 finale, and it sees the Dark Wizard (surely Saruman... right?...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debuts a new clip from season 2, episode 7, showing Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) emerging out from under Sauron's (Charlie Vickers) grasp. Created by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, the hit Prime Video fantasy series returned for its sophomore outing in August, charting Sauron's rise in Middle-earth during the Second Age. Sauron's main task in The Rings of Power season 2 has been forging the titular rings, and Celebrimbor, as a great Elven smith, has become an unfortunate victim of his dark influence.

Now, IGN releases a new clip from The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7, showing a quiet moment between Sauron and Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) in the latter character's forge. The clip sees Celebrimbor seemingly seeing the light after so many episodes of darkness, explaining the beauty of his work. The clip also ends with a tense moment as Celebrimbor, after revealing that...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power designer Barrie Gower recently explained why Sauron's Elven form looks different from other Elves on the show. In the second season of the Prime Video series, Sauron disguises as Annatar (Charles Vickers), the Lord of Gifts and self-proclaimed emissary from the god-like Valar, to deceive the Elven smith Celebrimbor into crafting the remaining rings of power.

In an interview with Screen Rant, Gower discussed why it was necessary to differentiate Annatar from the other Elves in Middle-earth. The designer explained the practical processes of achieving the future Dark Lord of Middle Earth's otherwordly appearance. "So, we are dictated primarily to giving somebody elf ears that would suit them, but we're covering their own ears basically, or extending. Fortunately, Charlie has very nice ears, so we were able to give them these beautiful, slightly upturned angular ears," he said. "We were...

Quick Links The Stranger Being Gandalf Is An Obvious Reveal The Stranger Being Another Istar Doesn't Make Sense The Rings Of Power Needs To Confirm The Stranger's Identity

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is approaching the end of its second season, which has delved deeper into the lore of Middle-earth and the Second Age. The sophomore season of the Prime Video original series has seen many improvements over its predecessor, with better-written characters, darker storylines, and stunning cinematography helping the once-heavily criticized series begin to win over some fans of the original Lord of the Rings franchise. The series also continues to tease viewers with certain mysteries, many of which may not be answered for some time.

One of the biggest enduring mysteries in The Rings of Power is the identity of the Stranger. Portrayed by Daniel Weyman, the Stranger fell from the sky in the...

Quick Links The Rings Of Power Will Kill Off Most Of Its Main Cast The Rings of Power Is Setting Up A Tragic Failed Hero The Rings Of Power's Payoff Will Be Worth The Wait

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is back and better than ever in its second season as it gets closer and closer to unleashing full-scale war upon Middle-earth. The latest episodes of the Prime Video original series see Sauron working his deception on Celembrimbor to craft more rings of power for the Dwarves and Men, kickstarting a chain reaction that will lead to the forging of the One Ring. The newest season has also seen an uptick in its reception from both critics and fans after its debut season received decidedly mixed reviews. The show seems to have finally found its footing in J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world, winning over some fans...

Quick Links Kemen Won't Be A Nazgul In The Rings Of Power Kemen Could Become The Mouth of Sauron Very Little Is Know About The Mouth of Sauron

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 continues to flesh out its Numenor storylines as political matters heat up on the once-great island. After their terrible defeat at the hands of Adar and his Orcs in Middle-earth, the Nmenreans sail back home with their tail between their legs, where they face their most difficult adversary yet: themselves. After suffering heavy losses as a result of Queen Miriel's orders, Ar-Pharazn organizes a peaceful coup that removes her from the throne and places himself as the new protector of Numenor. However, his resistance to anything Elvish and growing fear of death will eventually result in the island's destruction in a great flood that Miriel has foreseen, dooming Numenor and most of its inhabitants.

The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 5, "Halls of Stone," now streaming on Prime Video.

One star of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power thinks his character should never possess a ring. In a Screen Rant interview, Leon Wadham, who plays Kemen, a Nmenorean, in the series, said it would be a disaster if his character were ever given one of the Rings of Power. The series so far, has shown the characters of Celebrimbor (Charles Edward) and Sauron, disguising himself as Annatar, (Charlie Vickers) forging several rings in Eregion while Kemens great city of Nmenor is struggling.

Related Rings of Power Season 2 Gives Isildur a Problem That Aragorn Had Centuries Later

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 places Isildur in a predicament that Aragorn would have to deal with centuries down the line.

The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is heading toward its finale with just a few episodes left to go. Ahead of the next episode's debut, Cbr has an exclusive sneak peek clip to debut.

The clip, dubbed "What Did He Promise," features Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Adar (Sam Hazeldine). The two discuss their thoughts on Sauron, with Adar giving a cautious warning to Galadriel about her quest to find him. It's an early look at Season 2, Episode 6, after which the penultimate episode and the season finale will bring the sophomore season to its conclusion. The episode is set to drop on Prime Video on Thursday, Sept. 17 at :01 Pt, and the sneak peek clip can be viewed below.

Related Rings of Power's Pharazn Has Become an Evil Version of a Fan-Favorite Character

Rings of Power has shed light on Pharazon and the kingdoms of Men,...

With his father now in power, Kemen is quickly becoming far too power hungry in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. Introduced in season 1 of the Prime Video prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, Kemen is the son of Trystan Gravelle's Pharazn, the key advisor to Nmenor's Queen Mriel. Having been raised in a life of luxury and privilege, Kemen is often a troublesome thorn in both his father and other Nmenrian's sides, as he frequently gets away with his actions.

In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, Kemen's ambitions are growing well beyond his reach after he and Pharazn ruled over Nmenor during Mriel's travels to the Southlands, having gotten a taste of the life of royalty. After his father successfully takes the throne from his cousin, Kemen attempts to bond even further with his father by carrying out his...

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

Chaos is brewing in the world of Men in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. Acting as a prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic novel, season 1 of the Prime Video show saw the island of Nmenor working to preserve the peaceful state of their land, even with Galadriel's warnings of Sauron's return. The Rings of Power season 1's ending left Nmenor in a state of early turmoil with the death of King Tar-Palantir and Mriel's blinding during Mordor's rise in the Southlands.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 picks up with Mriel struggling to maintain her power in Nmenor as her cousin, Pharazn, begins turning the tide in his favor with the local population. With the appearance of a Great Eagle swaying support in his favor,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 star Ema Horvath explains why her character, Erien, chooses Pharazn (Trystan Gravelle) over her own father. Based on The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Prime Video's fantasy series returned last month for its sophomore outing, following Sauron (Charlie Vickers) as he works to forge the titular rings. Troubles in the Middle-earth city of Nmenor have also been a key focus in the season 2 episodes thus far, with Erien and her father, Captain Elendil (Lloyd Owen), finding themselves on opposites sides of a power struggle.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Horvath dives deep into Erien's headspace in The Rings of Power season 2, explaining that it's a confluence of several factors that have shaped her decision to side with Pharazn. Part of it, the actor explains, is her character's own self-doubts and professional ambitions, but she stresses...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Leon Wadham explains why one character in the show should never be given a ring. Taking place during the Second Age of Middle-earth, Prime Video's epic fantasy series adapts the works of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved Lord of the Rings source material, chronicling Sauron's (Charlie Vickers) rise to power. The Rings of Power season 2, which premiered on the streamer at the end of August, has thus far featured Sauron forging numerous rings with Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) in Eregion, as, elsewhere, Nmenor experiences unrest.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant as new episodes continue to air, Wadham, who plays Nmenrean nobleman Kemen, argues that it would be disastrous if his character was ever given a titular Ring of Power. The actor points out that, even without any rings corrupting the leaders of Nmenor, the city is already being torn apart from within,...

Sauron (Charlie Vickers) may be the villain in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, but he isn't the worst character in the series. That distinction goes to Kemen (Leon Wadham), the son of Pharazn (Trystan Gravelle), who has become central to the Nmenor storyline. This bratty, privileged boy has let power go to his head as he tries to impress his father by terrorizing anyone who disagrees with him. Kemen may not be the biggest obstacle the people of Middle-earth must face, but he fills the role of the egotistical and annoying antagonist who comes to power easily and undeservedly. Kemen has no real authority; he has not distinguished himself as a warrior or shown a talent for the subtleties of politics. However, he is furthering the unrest in Numinor with his violence.

Quick Links Rings of Power Season 2 Gives Kemen a Dark Destiny Rings of Power Season 2 Has Kemen Murdering Valandil

The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 5, "Halls of Stone," now streaming on Prime Video.

With the progression of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, the Game of Thrones in Nmenor is heating up. Ar-Pharazn has won public favor, and most citizens believe that he -- not his cousin Tar-Mriel -- should be on the throne. It's gotten very political, with her coronation actually swinging in Pharazn's favor.

Sadly, Mriel has relinquished the crown after the war against Adar's orcs. As he keeps plotting to ensure he stays in power, the show officially reveals its take on Game of Thrones' Joffrey Baratheon. Sadly, this young tyrant claims a major casualty and hints at more death and destruction to come under Pharazn's banner.

The fallowing contains major spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 5, "Halls of Stone," now streaming on Prime Video.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 has pulled out all the stops with shocking reveals that have left the audience speechless. This is expertly showcased in the doomed kingdom of Nmenor with Pharazn and his son Kemen. In Episode 5, the former begins to institute questionable laws, with Kemen spearheading many of the more shocking changes -- such as stripping those loyal to the previous queen of their status and desecrating religious sites while in use. These moments lay the groundwork for the inevitable end and flooding of Nmenor.

In an interview with Cbr, Leon Wadham talks about the character growth that Kemen has experienced. The actor explores the events surrounding the murder of Valandil in Season 2, Episode 5, and explains how that...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power stars Ema Horvath and Leon Wadham have addressed how a major death in season 2, episode 5 will impact Erien and Kemen respectively, moving forward. During the events of The Rings of Power season 2, episode 5, Kemen arrives at a temple to have it closed down, making way for Pharazn's (Trystan Gravalle) plans to revitalize Nmenor. However, this leads to a confrontation with him and Valandil (Alex Tarrant), in turn leading Kemen to stab him in the back after he lays down his sword.

Speaking with Screen Rant, Horvath and Wadham explained how Kemen killing Valandil will impact the way Erien views her role within Nmenor and both their loyalties to Pharazn in The Rings of Power season 2. Horvath detailed a cut scene between her and Mriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) mourning their losses from season 1, while Wadham discussed how Kemen didn't mean to kill anyone,...

The latest episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, "Halls of Stone," may have been the best of the second season so far. Sauron is at his villainous best, the dwarves were delightful as always, and there were some heartbreaking scenes on the isle of Númenor.

Now that Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) has taken the throne, he's going about suppressing those Númenoreans who don't share his vision for the future of the kingdom, namely those who are still faithful to the Valar and the elves. He sends his son Kemen (Leon Wadham) to do some the dirty work, which gets very dirty indeed. Kemen breaks up a ceremony being held by the Faithful and gets into a fight with Valandil (Alex Tarrant), with whom he'd had tension in the past. Valandil stopped short of badly hurting Kemen, and then when he turned his back, Kemen ran him through with a spear,...

[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5.] After too little time spent in Númenor in the first half of the second season, The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5 refocused attention on the island kingdom. A treacherous tragedy befell a character who can only be described as honorable and lovable, signaling a dark turn in this already tensely split nation. Here, Leon Wadham explains what this tragic event means for the show moving forward. Kemen (Wadham) spends the episode trying to impress his father, Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), who is now the ruler of Númenor after staging a coup during Queen Míriel’s (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) coronation in Episode 3. Despite the increasingly oppressive forces of Númenoreans who side with the userper, “the Faithful” (aka those loyal to their society’s old ways defined by reverence and respect for the Elves) are still practicing their ancient religious practices. ...

The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 5, now streaming on Prime Video.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 has improved over Season 1-- but it's still far from perfect. Season 2, Episode 5 covers a lot of territory from Nmenor, Khazad-dm and Eregion, while lightly touching on Elrond, Gil-galad and Galadriel. While many of the stories are well-balanced, Rings of Power is still struggling with how to make audiences care about its storylines when each one is fighting for screen time. Episode 5 highlights this struggle perfectly.

Episode 5 is anchored by the performances of Charles Edwards, Charlie Vickers and Peter Mullan. Celebrimbor and Annatar's relationship continues to grow more interesting, while Durin and Disa demonstrate great emotional depth. Elsewhere, Lloyd Owen as Elendil helps to elevate the Nmenor plot and create a much stronger example of the political intrigue of the world of men.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 4 is now streaming on Prime Video, and among the Ents (and Ent-wives), eerie Barrow-Wights and the debut of Tom Bombadil, the most significant talking point might be our biggest hint yet as to the true identity of The Stranger (Daniel Weyman).

Spoilers follow.

When Nori (Markella Kavanaugh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) get separated from their "Istar" friend after being whisked away by a sandstorm he caused (he still doesn't quite have a grasp of his powers), they encounter a group of larger Halflings who call themselves Stoors (Smeagol/Gollum is believed to have been a Stoorish Hobbit). After some initial hostilities, the Harfoots attempt to better explain who they were travelling with.

After describing the Stranger as "a giant" and "bigger than an Elf," Harfoot leader Gundabel sarcastically interrupts with, "oh, so he's a great big grand-elf?"

Say grand-elf...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay have addressed whether Tom Bombadil is the most powerful being in Middle Earth, virtually making him "God." Rory Kinnear portrays the character in the Prime Video series, now in its second season.

J.R.R. Tolkien's source material depicts the character as a jolly singing fellow who has been around since the beginning of time. The characterization informed Bombadil's presentation in The Rings of Power, which retains core elements without affecting the show's serious tone. Dialogue in the series' fourth episode hints that Bombadil's demeanor belies his true status in Middle Earth, with many asking if he is basically "God." "We would have no problem if that question was being asked because people say that about the character in the books," co-showrunner Payne told The Hollywood Reporter. "And I think people asked that of Tolkien himself.

Prime Video (via Nerdist.com) has released the first clip from tomorrow's fourth episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and it introduces a character fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's work have been waiting to see brought to life on screen for a very long time.

In the clip, we see The Stranger get himself into a spot of bother when he attempts to pull branch from a tree to fashion his wizard's staff. In a moment that recalls Merry and Pippin falling foul to Old Man Willow in the book, the Stranger is trapped and consumed by the tree until old Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) comes to the rescue.

If you've read Tolkien's seminal trilogy, you should be very familiar with this mysterious character, who was introduced along with his wife Goldberry when Frodo and his company made their way through the Old Forest in The Fellowship of the Ring.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power actor Sam Hazeldine recently addressed assuming the role of Arda in the current season of the Prime Video series. Hazeldine replaced Joseph Mawle, who played the character in Season 1.

Hazeldine now portrays Adar, the corrupted Elf, one of the first Orcs, and their leader who crafts the land of Mordor for his kind. In an interview with ComicBook, the actor discussed playing one of the franchise's most recognizable characters. Hazeldine was asked if taking over the role was a challenge, to which he responded, "No, it wasn't actually. It was honestly a pleasure." He continued, "I think that's because it was such a rich character that's been created by the writers and by Joseph in Season 1. And so, it was a real privilege to take on that character and see where the story takes him from there. So, I really enjoyed it.

The first three episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 are now streaming on Prime Video, and ep 2, "Where the Stars are Strange," introduces a mysterious character who might just turn out to be the secondary antagonist of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy.

We know most of you will be well aware of who we're referring to, but just in case, spoilers follow.

After first catching up with Durin, Disa and the other Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, we find out who sent the masked marauders that have been tracking Nori, Poppy, and the Stranger through the deserts of Western Rhûn: A powerful sorcerer known only as the "Dark Wizard" (Game of Thrones alum Ciarán Hinds).

At first glance, there appears to be little doubt that this clearly wicked individual is Saruman, but there are other possibilities.

Rings of Power has taken a few liberties with certain aspects of Tolkien's works already,...

The first three episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power are now streaming on Prime Video, and the premiere wastes little time in taking us back to the Dawn of the Second Age to reveal the shocking origin of Sauron.

Major spoilers follow.

The first episode begins by introducing Sauron in his original form as a Maia spirit made flesh (played Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden) shortly after the defeat of his master, Morgoth.

Sauron gives a speech to a group of Orcs, attempting to convince them to embrace him as their new Dark Lord. However, Adar - now played by Sam Hazeldine - doesn't believe his would-be ruler has his "children's" best interests at heart, and instigates an uprising which results in Sauron's "death."

Though Sauron's spirit appears to leave his body, his blood flows into the earth, and the shape-shifting villain is eventually able to take the form of.

Key players from The Lord of the Rings trilogy appear as their younger selves in The Rings of Power. Aware that Elrond is in the prequel series, Hugo Weaving said he's still oblivious to how the show has depicted his character.

Hugo Weaving revealed he hasn't seen an episode of The Rings of Power. He told Radio Times he's no longer interested in revisiting The Lord of the Rings lore or any on-screen adaptations. Weaving played Elrond in the original Peter Jackson trilogy and two of The Hobbit installments; his performance as the half-elven Lord of Rivendell was iconic even to the Tolkien fan base. The Rings of Power sees a younger Elrond (played by Robert Aramayo), who has yet to witness Sauron's rise to power. Despite Amazon's enticing premise for the prequel, Weaving said he still doesn't want to see the new iteration of his character.

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The first season of The Rings of Power was released to much fanfare, but also received heavy criticism from audiences. Morfydd Clark recounted her experience facing backlash against her depiction of the iconic Middle Earth character.

Morfydd said she was overwhelmed by criticism over her portrayal of Galadriel during Season 1 of The Rings of Power. "I was just totally unprepared when Season 1 came out," she told Elle, referring to reactions from both Tolkien fans and casual audiences on social media. There's a silver lining to the backlash, however. "I've seen a really dark side of what it means to be someone who [anyone] can write a message to on Instagram, and a really lovely side," she asserted. Clark proved she can take on epic roles with notable performances in Saint Maud, Starve Acre, and her first film Madame Bovary; she said she's taking recent criticism in stride, and the positive reception keeps her going.

"Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside."

We recently got confirmation that a fan-favorite character from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Tom Bombadil, will make his live-action debut in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, and the actor who will bring the "Merry Fellow" to life, Rory Kinnear, has now confirmed that the Prime Video series will be doing something "different" with the character.

If you've read Tolkien's seminal trilogy, you should be very familiar with this mysterious character, who was introduced along with his wife Goldberry when Frodo and his company made their way through the Old Forest in The Fellowship of the Ring. Bombadil was clearly a very powerful individual, who was actually able to...

The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is right around the corner, and we have a lot of characters to catch up on. Sauron is back with a new evil plan, the Stranger is heading into the east, and Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) is going to have a hell of a time ruling the island nation of Númenor now that she's been blinded during a military campaign in Middle-earth.

We got to talk to Cynthia Addai-Robinson at San Diego Comic-Con, who told us about the challenges ahead for Míriel. "[A]t the end of season one, once she's blinded, she's blindfolded for a period. And, and there, there was actually a brief moment where I had to really portray the blindness toward the end," she said. "In season 2, it's now fully the situation. And so it was making sure that it still felt like something that she was navigating,...

Ahead of the release of The Rings of Power Season 2, Prime Video unveiled the first look at a new character, Dark Wizard. Played by Oscar-nominated actor Ciarn Hinds, the new addition is set to add more nuance to the story.

The Rings of Power's cast will grow in Season 2, as it features several new additions like Ciarn Hinds, Rory Kinnear, and Tanya Moodie. Hinds, whose credits include roles in Zack Snyder's Justice League, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Frozen 2, Game of Thrones, and Belfast, will join the Prime Video series as a new character, billed as a "dark and powerful wizard." Now, the official first look lives up to his name.

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The Rings of Power Season 2 will bring back Shelob, the iconic villain from The Lord of the Rings, as...

The showrunners of The Rings of Power stoked fan anticipation ahead of Season 2's release. They tease the show will be even bigger if Season 3 is greenlighted.

Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay shared exciting news on Season 3 of The Rings of Power. McKay was reserved when pressed to elaborate, but he hinted they're well into development. "All we can say is, we're working on it," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "We're cooking. Let us cook!" Audiences can expect the show to delve deeper into the lore with the promising update; Amazon Studios has confirmed five seasons for the series, which draws heavily from The Lord of the Rings Appendices and The Silmarillion. The Rings of Power Season 2 is about to launch and McKay promised it will be epic.

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The Rings of Power star Morfydd Clark has teased what's in store for her character Galadriel when the second season finally arrives. The upcoming installment will hit Prime Video on August 29.

Deadline was at the show's second season premiere where Clark teased that Galadriel will have a point to prove as she prepares to fight against the evil that had risen in the wake of the previous season. "Darkness is rising rapidly, and (Galadriel) has a point to prove. She made a big error, and she is learning to fight the darkness in a different way," she said. Clark also hinted at her character's growth in The Rings of Power Season 2, having learned from her mistake. "I'm glad she was, in a way, deceived because it's beautiful that she's open, and I hope she manages to keep hold of that. (Sauron)'s the great deceiver, so it's tough," she added.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power returns for its second season later this month, and Prime Video has now released the first full clip and a new TV spot featuring the return of a character who appeared to be killed-off in the season 1 finale, and our first look at... Saruman?

Of course, any Tolkien fan would almost certainly have been aware that Isildur - the future King of Gondor who ultimately cuts the One Ring from Sauron's hand - wasn't really dead, but his father Elendil and the rest of his people believe he is.

In the clip, we see Isildur and a new character, Estrid, stop to help what appears to be a group of travellers in need before being ambushed by Wild Men. Things look bleak for Isildur, but elven archer Arondir comes to the rescue by unleashing a flurry of arrows into the bandits.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will return for its second season later this month, and Prime Video has now released an action-packed final trailer highlighting the conflict that erupts throughout Middle-earth in the aftermath of Sauron's return in the season 1 finale.

Of course, we now know that the Dark Lord had been hiding in plain sight as Halbrand all along, and season 2 will focus on the "Giver of Girts" - who has now taken his Elven Annatar form in an effort to hide out in Eregion - befriending Celebrimbor and aiding him in the making of the Nine (for mortal men doomed to die) and Seven Rings (for the Dwarf Lords in their halls of stone) of power.

The trailer also reveals that Galadriel will form an uneasy alliance with Adar, the "Uruk" who led a band of Orcs in season 1 before being captured. Does...

The Rings of Power Season 1 ended by revealing that Halbrand was actually Sauron, the former lieutenant of the Dark Lord Morgoth, in disguise. Since the character had grown close to Galadriel, fans have been wondering how it would affect their relationship going forward.

Speaking to Screen Rant, Morfydd Clark, who plays Galadriel in the series, offered a little insight into what Season 2 holds for the characters. "I'm always very scared to tease," the actor said. "I would just say the mortal enemies hate each other even more than before, and they're looking even better than they ever did," she added without giving too much away.

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The Rings of Powers showrunners tease a wilder alternative to fan speculation over The Strangers true identity.

Galadriel has been convinced of Sauron's return even during the early episodes of Ring of Power. After...

The Rings of Power promises to step up the scale of the story and spectacle by teasing the rise of Sauron in Season 2. Actor Sam Hazeldine said it's a pleasure to join the show as a tragic character with conflicted motivations.

Keen-eyed fans may notice Adar's recasting in The Rings of Power, but actor Sam Hazeldine asserts they've made the transition smooth coming into Season 2. He told Screen Rant that he was thorough about his character's development with showrunner J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay to ensure audiences would quickly focus on the resemblance. Adar is expected to be more prominent in the show's new season, considering how his actions unwittingly escalated Sauron's plans to conquer Middle Earth by unearthing Mount Doom. Hazeldine said taking over Adar is easier thanks to Joseph Mawle, who laid the groundwork for the character in Season 1.

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A brand-new promotional poster for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 has arrived, depicting Morfydd Clark's Lady Galadriel wearing her elven Ring of Power, Nenya. The Prime Video series will premiere in August.

Amazon shared the new poster via its official The Lord of the Rings X (formerly known as Twitter) account. The image features the Lady of Lrien dressed elegantly, spotting the elven ring. Also known as the Ring of Adamant and the Ring of Water, Nenya is made of mithril metal and set with a white stone of adamant. The Rings of Power Season 2, as implied by the series title, will bring the Rings of Power into sharper focus. Elven master smith Celebrimbor, with the aid of Halbrand (Sauron in disguise), crafted the elven rings, which include Vilya and Narya, in Season 1's final episode. Nenya has the power of preservation and concealment from evil.