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‘The Rings of Power‘ faced a noticeable drop in viewership during its second season. Reports show a 60% decrease in viewers compared to the first season over the first 12 weeks of streaming.

The first season was Prime Video’s most-watched series, but only 37% of U.S. viewers completed the full season. While the show started strong, the second season struggled to maintain the same momentum.

This isn’t unique to ‘The Rings of Power.’ Other big-name series have faced similar challenges. Marvel’s ‘Echo’ and ‘Agatha All Along’ also saw lower numbers compared to shows like ‘Loki’ Season 2 and ‘Secret Invasion.’

Related: ‘The Acolyte’ vs. ‘The Rings of Power’: How Toxic Fans Fail to Shape Modern TV

Despite these setbacks, the creators are optimistic about the show’s future. Co-showrunner Patrick McKay has confirmed that work on a third season is underway. He expressed excitement about the upcoming storylines and...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has an important lesson to learn from Sauron and Celebrimbor's arc in season 2. The Rings of Power season 2 centered on Charles Edwards' Celebrimbor, taking some of the attention off Morfydd Clark's Galadriel. As the showrunners confirmed, the show is an origin story for Sauron, and while Sauron was focused on deceiving Galadriel in season 1, he moved onto Celebrimbor in season 2. Sauron's lovers-to-enemies dynamic with Galadriel worked wonders but was unfaithful to the books, whereas his faithful manipulation of Celebrimbor actually didn't quite land to the same extent.

Sauron will have a new victim in Rings of Power season 3 or 4. In season 3, Sauron must hand out the Rings of Men and forge the One Ring, growing ever more powerful. In season 3 or 4, Númenor's new leader, Pharazôn, is set to hear of this power and come to challenge it in his reckless pursuit of colonial expansion.

There are many mysteries wrapped up in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, but one Theo riddle may be best left unsolved. The Rings of Power season 1 thrived on enigma, teasing the Stranger, Adar, and Halbrand as potential Saurons in hiding. The season 1 finale revealed Halbrand as Sauron, while season 2 launched into the mystery of the Stranger's identity, which was revealed in the season 2 finale. It goes without saying that suspense is a key feature of the show, but Theo may do better left out of this tactic.

The Rings of Power season 3 is surely set to tackle the identity of the Dark Wizard. This is a fair thread to pursue across the season and could easily culminate in another season-ending reveal, but the show may want to look into one big question about Theo as well. Theo is an original character in Rings of Power, beautifully portrayed by Tyroe Muhafidin.

Rings of Power Season 3 Updates (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Since Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power debuted in 2022, the show has dived headfirst into Sauron’s rise, dazzling us with breathtaking visuals and deep lore.

This Middle-earth has been serving drama, magic, chaos, and Prime Video’s epic take on Tolkien’s Second Age. While Season 2 came in more substantial, earning better reviews, though fewer fans tuned in, it is a bit of a bummer; the stakes for Season 3 are higher than ever. With promises to dig deeper into Tolkien’s legendary world, it’s shaping to be a must-watch. Will it deliver? Let’s say Middle-earth’s destiny might depend on it.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Creators On Season 3

Exciting news for The Rings of Power fans: season 3 is officially in the works. During a recent Screen Rant interview, showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne...

A few decades ago, if someone had told us that TV would one day stand toe-to-toe with cinema in terms of production value, we would have laughed it off like a bad punchline. But here we are—TV has evolved from a simple filler between dinner and sleep to a juggernaut of cinematic grandeur.

Today’s shows are no less than cinematic marvels, with budgets so vast, they could easily fund a few indie films. From the costumes that look like they were sewn by magic to soundtracks that stir the soul, each frame is a work of art.

Rory Kinnear in Lotr: The Rings of Power | Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Now, let’s talk about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The moment this series was announced, expectations soared through the roof. Could this be the most expensive TV show ever made? If so, what does...

The development of Star Trek 4′ has faced many delays and changes since 2015. Several versions of the film have been attempted, but none have worked out. Initially, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay were hired to write the script.

Then, Quentin Tarantino pitched his own idea in 2017, but he later decided not to direct. Multiple directors, including S. J. Clarkson, Noah Hawley, Matt Shakman, and others, have come and gone due to various issues like actor negotiations and scheduling conflicts.

As of March 2024, Steve Yockey is writing a new version, which is described as the “final chapter” of the reboot series, but the project has faced many setbacks. There were also quite a few problems with the cast, mostly due to schedules and the numerous delays, but ultimately by 2022 new contracts were signed for the original core crew to return.

Zoe Saldaña, who played Nyota Uhura in ‘Star Trek Beyond’ has expressed...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has recently been confirmed for season 3, which makes the adaptation of one huge J.R.R. Tolkien story very likely. Season 1 premiered in 2022 to a mixed reception but has since garnered more respect. The Rings of Power season 2 got positive reviews and many fans cited improvements. The show has been noted for portraying the Second Age stories of J.R.R. Tolkien with varying levels of faithfulness, but one season 3 story looks set to be quite faithful to the books.

The Rings of Power season 3 will have to cover a certain few storylines that season 2 set up. This bodes very well for the show's third season, which is starting to get into the meatiest parts of The Silmarillion. Rings of Power only has the rights to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and is adapting Second Age tales from LotR's appendices.

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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,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power teased the Stranger's identity for a long time, which the showrunners rationalized in an explanation that makes a lot of sense. The Rings of Power season 1 ending revealed that Halbrand was actually Sauron, finally resolving the big season 1 mystery of who and where Sauron was. I liked the show's slow-burn approach, but this season-long tease wasn't popular with everyone. Season 2 followed suit by not revealing the Stranger's identity until its very end, but I think the showrunners justified this well.

The Rings of Power season 2 brought the question of the Stranger's identity front and center. This bearded magical man fell to Middle-earth like a meteor and was a main character from the show's start. However, season 2 was all about him finding out who he was, with a significant subplot focused on Nori helping him find clues about his past in Rhûn.

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How should we face the future that's to come? If the TV shows that moved us in 2024 are any indication, the answer involves collective action, the preservation of hope and anger, and -- as shows like "Evil" and "English Teacher" effortlessly remind us -- the ability to laugh in the face of the absurd. It seems likely that the creators making our favorite shows didn't foresee some of this year's most dystopic global and national events, but their art speaks to a world in unprecedented chaos nonetheless. Whether you're more into the stalwart mottos of Starfleet, the unspoken camaraderie between the vulnerable women of Ennis, Alaska, or the "okey-dokey" attitude of Vault 33's best and brightest, the best television of 2024 offered a number of stirring solutions to the question we're all anxious to ask: how the hell do we get through this?...

Well, folks, season 3 of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is officially on the way. Or, well, mostly officially? Technically, as of this writing, the airwaves have remained silent regarding a formal renewal of Prime Video's hit Second Age Middle-earth series for a third season (there are five seasons planned in all). However, in a recent interview with Screen Rant, showrunners Jd Payne and Patrick McKay definitively declared that they are working on season 3. Payne specifically said, "We're prepping now, very, very intensely." McKay added, "That's all we can say!" So, yeah, despite the lack of an official confirmation from Amazon, more "Rings of Power" is on its way.

This isn't a surprise. "Rings of Power" season 2 saw a sizable jump in ratings, ensuring that the appetite for the show's sprawling and growing story isn't abating. Payne and McKay also signed a multi-year deal with Amazon Studios...

The Lord of the Rings trilogy co-writer Philippa Boyens addresses the "rumored rivalry" with Amazon's The Rings of Power TV show. Based on the fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson's first movie in his hit trilogy was released in 2001, with the final installment arriving in 2003. Jackson, Boyens, and co-writer Fran Walsh, who reunited for The Hobbit trilogy, now serve as the brain trust behind the movie arm of the Lord of the Rings franchise, which includes The War of the Rohirrim anime and Andy Serkis' upcoming The Hunt for Gollum.

During a recent interview with GamesRadar+, Boyens is asked about the "rumored rivalry" that exists between the movie arm of the Lord of the Rings franchise and Prime Video's The Rings of Power, which just recently concluded its sophomore outing. According to Boyens, no such rivalry exists, and she clearly believes that there's plenty of room in Middle-earth for different interpretations.

The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ended with Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) facing off with Sauron (Charlie Vickers), her old frenemy. The two fought in a pitched people and Sauron finally made off with the Nine Rings meant for mortal men. But Galadriel wouldn't give him the three Elven rings, choosing to plunge off a cliff rather than relinquish them.

As we go into season 3, Sauron is growing in power, having destroyed the Elven city of Eregion and drafted Adar's army of orcs to his side. But the elves aren't things lying down; at the very end of the season, it seems like they establish the stronghold of Rivendell, the last homely house, which is familiar to fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

We got to talk to Morfydd Clark and Charlie Vickers about playing Galadriel and Sauron, what...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power broke canon and hearts when Elrond kissed Galadriel, leaving the showrunners to explain in an interview, but I'm not convinced by the explanation. I was incredibly confused by Rings of Power's Elrond-Galadriel kiss, but I didn't hate it. I thought it was fair enough - Elrond had to think of a distraction somehow. But I was intrigued by the controversial choice. As such, I was paying attention when the showrunners and Morfydd Clark explained the Galadriel and Elrond kiss in season 2 in an interview with Screen Rant.

Galadriel actress Morfydd Clark explained that she "wanted the Elves kissing on the mouth all the time from the very beginning," as she saw them as "a little bit bohemian." Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay agreed that "They're a little more European." I follow this logic, to a certain extent. Elves in Lord of the Rings...

This post contains spoilers for the first two seasons of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."

It's no secret that "The Rings of Power" is juggling a lot of characters. Some of these have had hidden identities that have been (thankfully) cleared up. We know that Halbrand and then the envoy Annatar were both Sauron in disguise. Love it or hate it, the Stranger is officially Gandalf. But even if the air has cleared on some major characters, there are likely still some surprises ahead. One of those is the real identity of the human Southlander, Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin).

Through two seasons, Theo has appeared to be no more than a made-up character for the show, but there are hints that he could end up filling the role of an important canonical character. One option is for him to become a Ringwraith. However, the more I've looked at things,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners Patrick McKay and Jd Payne have teased what's next for Númenor's story in season 3, and where it will lead the fantasy series. The Rings of Power season 2 ends with a focus on Eregion, as Sauron (Charlie Vickers) retakes control of the Orcs, leaving the Elven city destroyed in the process. However, Númenor was also featured, with Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) taking total control of the island nation, accusing Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) of treason after learning Halbrand's true identity through the palantír.

Speaking with Screen Rant, McKay and Payne teased the story in Númenor has only just started, with The Rings of Power season 3 further exploring what comes next for the island nation. McKay admitted the kingdom hadn't been a major focus of season 2, but said the events which did transpire there recently are setting the stage for it becoming more important as the larger story continues.

Showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne confirmed that work on The Rings of Power season 3 is currently underway, and it's really no surprise the Lord of the Rings show is getting another outing. Although the reception to The Rings of Power is incredibly mixed, the Prime Video series is cementing itself as one of the platform's most successful originals. The Rings of Power season 2 may have stirred controversy with choices like having Elrond and Galadriel kiss, but its reviews were much stronger than those of the first outing.

Despite a viewership decline (via Deadline), it also passed an impressive milestone for Prime Video — and this makes The Rings of Power season 3's confirmation far less surprising. Although The Lord of the Rings show is still receiving heavy criticism — with some claiming it'd be better if it wasn't based on J.R.R. Tolkien's works — it's clearly resonating enough to maintain a...

It took The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power two seasons to confirm that Daniel Weyman’s Stranger is Gandalf, and now showrunners Jd Payne and Patrick McKay have finally spoken about the show’s big reveal. With his character’s identity initially shrouded in mystery, the show’s first season even provided misleading clues that Weyman’s character may have either been Sauron or one of Tolkien’s other wizards. However, the Rings of Power season 2 finale finally saw Weyman’s character receive both his wizard staff and his name, derived from the title “Grand Elf” given to him by the Stoors.

Speaking with ScreenRant, the Rings of Power showrunners explained how the eventual discovery of Gandalf’s name was a journey for both the audience and the character. Suggesting that while Gandalf’s season 1 journey was more about him figuring out whether he was good or evil,...

Quick Links Rings Of Power Season 3 Latest News Rings Of Power Season 3 Is Confirmed Rings Of Power Season 3 Cast Rings Of Power Season 3 Story Details Rings Of Power Season 3: Further News & Info

Amazon Prime Video triumphantly returned to Middle-earth in 2024 with season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, and now their epic J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation has scored a third season. Set long before the events of The Lord of the Rings, Rings of Power chronicles the Second Age of Middle-earth history and centers on the various kingdoms attempting to stave off the rising evil that will eventually lead to their downfall. Separate from Peter Jackson's legendary trilogy of films (and his Hobbit trilogy as well), Rings of Power offers a fresh take on Middle-earth.

Season 1 of Rings of Power was a taste of what was to come as the true identity of Sauron was revealed,...

In Tolkien’s stories, Galadriel and Elrond are close allies and share a strong bond as leaders of the Elves. Galadriel is Elrond’s mother-in-law through her daughter, Celebrían, who is married to him. Together, they work to protect Middle-earth, especially through their roles as bearers of the Elven Rings of Power.

‘The Rings of Power’ added a twist by having them kiss in the second-to-last episode, while Galadriel was imprisoned by Adar.

I thought the kiss was a trick to help Galadriel escape, but the showrunners, Patrick McKay and Jd Payne, along with Morfydd Clark, explained to ScreenRant that it was meant to show respect and loyalty, not romance.

Morfydd Clark explained that she wanted the Elves’ kiss to show love and admiration in a special, platonic way that fits their unique culture. She stressed that the bond between Elrond and Galadriel is based on respect, loyalty, and a long friendship,...

In Tolkien’s canon Galadriel and Elrond are close allies and share a deep bond as leaders of the Elves. Galadriel is Elrond’s mother-in-law because her daughter, Celebrían, is married to him. They both work together to protect Middle-earth, especially through their roles as bearers of the Elven Rings of Power.

The show put a somewhat steamy twist on their relationship by having them kiss in the penultimate episode of the show, while Galadriel was imprisoned by Adar. Personally, I thought that the kiss was just a ruse so that Elrond could provide Galadriel the means to escape the imprisonment, but it seems that the showrunners aimed for something else.

Morfydd Clark and showrunners Patrick McKay and Jd Payne explained to ScreenRant that the kiss showed respect and loyalty, not romance.

Morfydd Clark explained that she wanted Elves to kiss as a way to show love and admiration in a platonic,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 may have featured a kiss that shocked countless viewers, but Galadriel actor Morfydd Clark and the series showrunners have finally weighed in on the controversial moment. During season 2’s penultimate episode, Clark’s Galadriel shares a tender kiss with Robert Aramayo’s Elrond during her imprisonment in Adar’s Orc encampment. While the moment held a clear strategic purpose, and allowed Elrond to slip her the cloak pin that enables her escape, many viewers have suggested it also hints at a potential romantic connection between the two.

Speaking with ScreenRant, Clark, as well as showrunners Patrick McKay and Jd Payne, explained that while the moment did convey affection, the kiss was a more platonic display of respect and loyalty than one inspired by romantic intentions. The showrunners would also go on to suggest that Elves express their affection for one another in different ways,...

Variety’s A Night in the Writers’ Room: Awards Season Edition kicked off with a strong lineup of drama series panelists, who delved into the joys and challenges of what makes a good dramatic series in today’s entertainment landscape.

The panel was moderated by Variety‘s Senior Awards Editor Clayton Davis and included panelists of hit shows: Jennie Snyder Urman, writer & executive producer “Matlock” at CBS; Alison Schapker, showrunner & executive producer of “Dune: Prophecy” at HBO & Max; Todd Harthan, showrunner & executive producer of “High Potential” at ABC; and Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, showrunners & executive producers of “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” at Amazon Prime Video.

While discussing what they are most proud of in the making of their respective shows, Payne said that one moment that has stuck with him from Season 2 of “Rings of Power” is when the character Celebrimbor says, “At this time we need to remember,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay sat down with The Direct's Russ Milheim in an exclusive interview where they confirmed the plans still being intact for the Amazon Studios series to go for five seasons.

Season 2 of the hit show aired on October 3 earlier this year, but there hasn't been official word from Amazon giving the project a proper Season 3 renewal.

Despite that, it's expected (by both audiences and those behind the scenes) that Season 2 won't be the final outing. After all, Season 2 did reach over 55 million global viewers, so it's doing pretty well in ratings.

Read full article on The Direct.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne confirms the status of season 3. After premiering on Prime Video in 2022, the hit Lord of the Rings series, which chronicles Sauron's rise during the Second Age of Middle-earth, returned for season 2 this past summer. Though reviews were positive for the sophomore outing, there has been some uncertainty regarding the status of The Rings of Power season 3.

During a recent interview with Screen Rant, McKay and Payne confirm that work is now underway on The Rings of Power season 3, meaning the show has seemingly been renewed. Though the showrunners are careful not to let any details slip regarding what audiences should expect, Payne reveals that they're "prepping now, very, very intensely." Check out their full exchange below:

Jd Payne: We’re working on it.

Patrick McKay: We’re working now!

Jd Payne: We’re prepping now,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has nearly the identity of its Dark Wizard, creating the question of whether one key Lord of the Rings cameo will occur. While viewers asked who Sauron was throughout The Rings of Power season 1 and who the Stranger was in season 2, season 3 will be all about the Dark Wizard's identity. Halbrand (Charlie Vickers) was Sauron and the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) was Gandalf, setting up a key duality and opposition in the show. The Dark Wizard is fascinating as he could upset this balance, allying with one or the other.

The Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds) claims to be an Istar in Rings of Power season 2. The Istari were originally good Wizards sent to Middle-earth by the Valar to oppose Sauron. However, the Dark Wizard seems to have tactics more aligned with the brutal and tyrannous regime of Sauron than the Valar,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is successfully spinning many plates with its multiple arcs, but one Sauron-Galadriel storyline still requires major growth, which season 3 could materialize. Rings of Power season 1 received criticism for the kind of mystery box writing normally associated with J.J. Abrams, rather than high fantasy, teasing Sauron's true identity over a whole season. With Halbrand revealed as Sauron, season 2 kept up the mystery teasing, slowly deciphering the identity of the Stranger. He was unveiled as Gandalf in season 2, but a key Sauron arc still has not yet come full circle.

Rings of Power season 3 has lots of loose threads to tie up to get the show where it needs to be by its final season. Amazon Prime Video's show was pitched as a five-season deep dive into the story covered by the first five minutes of Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring.

There is a Blue Wizard in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and his story seems headed in one particular direction. Ciaran Hinds played an Istar known as the Dark Wizard in Rings of Power season 2, but his real identity wasn't revealed. Season 2 confirmed that the Stranger is Gandalf, leaving the Dark Wizard to be one of the other four Istari - Saruman, Radagast, or one of the two Blue Wizards. Silencing debate, showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne confirmed that he is a Blue Wizard in a Reddit Q&a, so his role may change.

Being a Blue Wizard points the Dark Wizard a certain way, as the Blue Wizards had a profile sketched out for them in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. The Dark Wizard, in The Rings of Power season 3, may start developing toward this profile, however rough it may be.

Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power offers Gandalf a chance to succeed where he failed with Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. The show teased the mystery of Sauron's true identity in season 1, the Stranger's identity in season 2, and season 3 looks set to continue the revelatory trend by confirming who the mysterious Dark Wizard is. Showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne all but admitted that he is one of the Blue Wizards, mysterious Istari whose fates were never confirmed in LotR (Reddit). Gandalf couldn't save Saruman from darkness, but the Dark Wizard offers him a new project.

Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, and the Blue Wizards were the five Lord of the Rings Istari sent to Middle-earth by the Valar to oppose Sauron. Sauron corrupted Saruman, who harbored a selfish desire for power anyway, and Radagast chose the birds and the beasts over his mission.

Several characters in The Rings of Power are still alive in The Lord of the Rings, but I'm worried about one of the Amazon show's major players, despite knowing his Third Age fate. The Rings of Power takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth, but thanks to the longer life spans of certain races, the oldest Lord of the Rings' characters can still appear in the series. Elves like Galadriel and Elrond play significant roles, and the Amazon show depicts Gandalf's journey to becoming the wizard we meet in Lotr.

In general, I've been less concerned about characters like these, as I know they won't meet untimely ends. The fates of Arondir, Theo, Nori and other original players are far more daunting. After all, The Rings of Power will need to explain their absences in Frodo's story before it comes to a close. But even knowing what's...

The showrunners for Amazon Prime Video's The Rings of Power have revealed the identity of the Dark Wizard, but it opens up another immediate question pertaining to Tolkien lore. After introducing The Stranger for the first two seasons, The Rings of Power season 2 finale finally revealed the character's identity to be Gandalf. With that mystery closed, however, the Lord of the Rings prequel still has another magical being roaming Rhn to explain, and this one isn't as nice. The Dark Wizard, played by Ciarn Hinds, should be one of the show's main antagonists going forward.

In a recent Reddit Q&a, show creators Patrick McKay and Jd Payne told audiences the answer to the mystery of the Dark Wizard's identity. Rather than prolonging another character ambiguity, an aspect of the series that received criticism over the first two seasons, the showrunners stated their thought process preemptively. They've revealed that the...

The Rings of Power introduces its Saruman replacement in season 2, but this character is different from the Lord of the Rings' villain in one big way. Rhn's Dark Wizard becomes a new secondary antagonist in The Rings of Power's sophomore season, going to extreme lengths to track down the Stranger then becoming angry when the other Istar won't join him. The showrunners' recent Dark Wizard confirmation rules out the possibility that he's Saruman, a popular theory about the character. However, he still serves as the villain's replacement.

Based on J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay's comments, it seems that the Istar in Rhn is one of J.R.R. Tolkien's Blue Wizards. These characters don't get much attention in Tolkien's writings, and they don't appear in The Lord of the Rings. That makes the introduction of one of them an exciting prospect. But even if Rhn's Dark Wizard is a character...

This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power faced controversy for some of its casting choices, but one choice, at least, is starting to make a lot of sense. While Charles Edwards' Celebrimbor appeared older than some expected, Robert Aramayo's Elrond appeared a little younger than expected. Fans of The Lord of the Rings had seen Hugo Weaving portray Elrond masterfully in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, and were used to his mature and distant melancholy. But Aramayo's chirpy youth makes more sense now.

Elrond is beginning to show some interesting signs of character development, and The Rings of Power season 3 will keep this up. Unfortunately, Charles Edwards' role in the show is over, but Aramayo's is only just beginning. Celebrimbor died at the end of The Rings...

The Rings of Power showrunners have confirmed that they're considering the Dark Wizard to be one of the Blue Wizards, which means the show will be interpreting one of Tolkien's lasting mysteries. With The Stranger finally being revealed as Gandalf in The Rings of Power season 2's ending, the identity of the Dark Wizard (Ciarn Hinds) has since become the show's biggest mystery. The character has a similar likeness to Christopher Lee's Saruman from The Lord of the Rings movies, but in a recent Reddit Q&a, show creators Patrick McKay and Jd Payne debunked that possibility, saying the following:

We know there are five wizards talked about in The Lord of the Rings . One of them is Saruman, one of them is Gandalf, one of them is Radagast, and then there are two others. It is our expectation that he will be one of those two others.

The...

The Rings of Power's showrunners hinted at the Dark Wizard's true identity in an interview, and the idea would heighten Gandalf's virtues. Amazon Prime Video's The Rings of Power introduced the Dark Wizard in season 2 as a mysterious antagonist who seems to be one of the Istari (Wizard). Given his likeness to Christopher Lee's portrayal in The Lord of the Rings films, many suspected the Dark Wizard would be Saruman, but showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay dismissed the idea in a Reddit Q&a.

The Rings of Power is set much earlier in The Lord of the Rings timeline, taking place during the Second Age of Middle-earth. The Istari were an order of Maiar sent to Middle-earth by Eru Illvatar for the purpose of pushing back against Sauron, typically known for their role in the Third Age. As viewers and readers know from Lotr, out of the five Istari,...

It's only been a month since the season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ran on Amazon Prime Video, and the studio has yet to announce a renewal for season 3. True, a month and change isn't that long to wait, but shows like this to time to rev up. If you want to get new episodes out to fans in anything close to resembling a timely manner, you have to start checking into locations and extras and horses and stuff pretty early on.

With reports that ratings for season 2 may not have been as strong as for season 1, some fans worry that the show is in trouble. At the very least, showrunner J.D. Payne recently said on the Rings and Realms podcast that, "We're writing season 3." So that's something.

Payne also said that "there's a lot of happening in Númenor" in the third season of the show,...

The Rings of Power showrunners have concretely denied a common theory regarding the Dark Wizard character, which is a total relief after season 2's Gandalf reveal. After two seasons of establishing his character, the Rings of Power season 2 ending finally delivered the true identity of The Stranger, though fans had already speculated that it was him since season 1. The decision to obfuscate The Stranger's name for so long was met with a divisive response from audiences who believed the answer to be frustratingly obvious, especially after pulling direct Gandalf quotes from The Lord of the Rings.

With that in mind, introducing yet another unnamed Istar (Wizard) in The Rings of Power created more confusion and some frustration over the redundancy. The Istar were known for arriving in Middle-earth during the Third Age, while The Rings of Power takes place in the Second Age, so the characterization of the Dark...

There have now been 2 seasons of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and the show seems to be missing something rather important, but there are 10 actors who could put that to rights. As the main character of The Rings of Power season 1, Morfydd Clark's Galadriel was notably short one husband. The Rings of Power never strictly adhered to its source material, the books by J.R.R. Tolkien. However, eradicating the main character's canonical husband to make way for a romance tease with her mortal enemy was a bold move.

Controversial but commercially successful, this move allowed sparkling chemistry to bloom between Clark and Sauron actor Charlie Vickers. Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay confirmed at Sdcc that "Celeborn will be back" (via Screen Rant), so Galadriel's husband is fully due for an appearance in The Rings of Power seasons 3, 4, or 5. The Celeborn actor has...

Exclusive: Jd Payne and Patrick McKay have named Kevin Jarzynski to be Head of Development & Production for their newly formed 10:40 Pm Productions. He will be tasked with overseeing the company’s television and film slate, while Payne & McKay ready a third season of Amazon Studios’ The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

It is a natural move for Jarzynski, who spent the past eight years as a senior development and programming executive at Amazon Studios, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing the studio’s largest tentpole series, working closely with showrunners and EPs Payne and McKay. Jarzynski was instrumental in developing the project, and was on the ground with the duo during production in New Zealand and London.

10:40 Pm Productions is based at Amazon MGM Studios, with an exclusive TV deal there.

Jarzynski was also a frequent collaborator of Jonah Nolan and Lisa Joy’s Kilter Films,...

Lord of the Rings trilogy screenwriter Philippa Boyens explains why she chooses not to watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Peter Jackson's epic trilogy was released from 2001 to 2003, with Boyens and Fran Walsh serving as his writing partners for all three installments. The trio reunited for the more divisive The Hobbit trilogy, and the next adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's work didn't come until 2022 with Prime Video's The Rings of Power series. The show, which was created by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, chronicles Sauron's rise during the Second Age.

During a recent interview with Empire (via SlashFilm), Boyen reveals that she hasn't watched The Rings of Power. According to the writer and producer, Tolkien's fantasy world is highly complex, and that makes adaptations challenging:

"I haven't watched it, and I've done that quite deliberately because I'm not about to pass judgment...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 helped drive viewership growth for Prime Video, a new report reveals. Created by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, the hit fantasy series returned for its sophomore outing in August, continuing its story of Sauron's (Charlie Vickers) rise during the Second Age of Middle-earth. The Rings of Power's season 2 reviews have been mostly positive from critics and, though season 2 didn't quite match season 1's viewership, it has been a ratings success for Prime Video.

Nielsen's new issue of The Gauge (via Deadline) reveals that Prime Video's share of TV usage in September went up by 12% from August, the largest monthly growth of all the streaming services. The data reveals that Prime Video's total percentage of viewership, which includes broadcast, cable, and streaming, stands at 3.6%. This puts it just behind Netflix's 7.9% and YouTube's 10.6%, but ahead of Disney+'s...

Just when you thought you’d finally get to see what happens next in The Rings of Power, along comes a curveball that could push Season 3 even further down the road. While fans have been anxiously waiting for the epic continuation of Middle-earth, it seems there’s yet another hurdle causing delays—and it’s more frustrating than a Balrog blocking the way!

Charlie Vickers in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Credits: Amazon MGM Studios

If waiting for Season 2 was tough, Season 3 might’ve fans feeling like they’re stuck in an endless hobbit journey. Whether it’s production slowdowns, studio logistics, or BTS shuffles, the reasons are adding up, and patience is running thin. Here’s why you might need to keep your lembas bread stash ready for a long haul.

Why the Wait for The Rings of Power Season 3 Could Be Even Longer Than...

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 Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 and beyond has been addressed by head of Amazon MGM Studios Jennifer Salke, given the high level of viewership the show received in season 2. The Rings of Power season 2 ended with over 55 million people having watched the series since the new episodes began their release, putting the show into the top five original series produced by Prime Video. While it's unclear how this translates in terms of viewer retention and minutes watched, reports indicate the show is on track for a season 3 confirmation soon.

Speaking with Variety, Salke expressed happiness regarding the success of The Rings of Power season 2, explaining the show has reached 150 million viewers since it first began in 2022. The Amazon MGM Studios head also indicated the series had a 50-episode commitment that they plan to continue with, though it's also something that will require numerous viewers to...

This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power clearly has no issue teasing romance between Tolkien characters, but it left one Sauron romance angle sadly unexplored. The Rings of Power season 1 ended the season-long Sauron mystery box, confirming that Halbrand was Sauron. This left season 2 free to focus on its Stranger mystery box while exploring Sauron in depth. While the show symmetrically ended season 2 by opening its Stranger mystery box and confirming that he was Gandalf, it had a whole season to develop its Sauron-Galadriel romance tease and explore Sauron's relationships with other characters.

Poppy's courtship with one of the pre-hobbit Stoors and Isildur's Estrid romance have little to discredit them, offering levity and emotional pull for a modern audience without altering high fantasy master J.R.R. Tolkien's source material. The Elendil-Mriel romance and...

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...

This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is inventing original material to answer many of the questions raised by its source material, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. With the rights to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the show is also drawing on the wider legendarium, clearly accessing one-off rights to individual aspects of the texts. For those familiar with Tolkien's lore, The Rings of Power season 2 was an often mind-boggling adaptation, journeying into the creative minds of showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.

While some of season 2's inventions had Tolkienites pulling their hair out in frustration, some were gloriously satisfying and well-received by many. Regardless, showrunners constantly demonstrated knowledge and love of Tolkien's work with Easter eggs, callbacks, and tie-ins. This confirms that the show's inventions were...

The ‘Tolkien Professor’ just dropped some major knowledge bombs on The Rings of Power fandom, and honestly, it’s a game-changer! After that jaw-dropping twist in the Season 2 finale, fans were left divided, questioning the show’s bold choices. But fear not, Middle-earth enthusiasts—the good professor’s stepped in to set the record straight!

A still from Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Credits: New Line Cinema

He’s vindicating that shocking revelation, breaking down why it’s not only true to Tolkien’s vision but also exactly what the story needed to stay epic. If you thought the plot took a wild turn, buckle up, because the Professor’s got the receipts to prove it all makes perfect sense. Get ready to see this finale in a whole new light!

Tolkien’s Ever-Changing Lore: How The Rings of Power Flips the Script on Gandalf Gandalf the...

The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power wrapped up last week, and despite the show being uneven and playing fast and loose with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, it was mostly a good time. Amazon Prime Video hasn't confirmed whether we'll get a third season, but showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay clearly have plans for more, and both the cast and crew sound optimistic.

In fact, Payne and McKay have already assembled a writers room for season 3, according to The Hollywood Reporter, so track is being laid. That room includes Justin Doble, Ben Tagoe, Ava Wong Davies, Constance Cheng, Jonathan Wilson, Griff Jones and Sarah Anson.

Interestingly, apart from Doble, this room doesn't include anyone who wrote previous episodes of The Rings of Power. Over the course of the first two seasons, writers like Gennifer Hutchison, Jason Cahill, Stephany Folsom, Nicholas Adams, Helen Shang,...