The war over Middle-earth will continue to unfold with the upcoming season of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Though not everyone jumped on the hype train for season 1, the upcoming season seems ready to build upon the grand epic established so far.
Until the heroes of Middle-earth return to TV screens, here’s everything that has been revealed about season 2 of The Rings of Power.
When will season 2 come out?
The second season of The Rings of Power is scheduled to debut its first three episodes on August 29, 2024, just two days shy of the show’s two-year anniversary. The remaining five episodes will premiere on a weekly basis, with the finale scheduled for October 3.
Is there a trailer for Rings of Power season 2?
Amazon released the first trailer for the new season on May 14.
The second trailer, following its presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, was released on July 26.
Tolkien’s words continue to inspire. #TolkienReadingDay pic.twitter.com/tzJ0oJOSLq
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@TheRingsofPower) March 25, 2024
The official Rings of Power X (formerly Twitter) account also reawakened in March with a post depicting three passages from the Lord of the Rings trilogy to celebrate Tolkien Reading Day. These quotes referencing Sauron, the Dwarves, the Elves, and the Three Rings seem to foreshadow what fans will witness in the new season.
What will happen in Rings of Power season 2?
It remains to be seen what will occur in season 2. Since the series adapts the content of The Silmarillion, that text should provide hints as to what will unfold. Based on Tolkien’s book, it seems the series will show King Pharazôn and his army sailing to Middle-earth and bringing Sauron to Númenor as their prisoner, only for the Dark Lord to tempt him and his people with the promise of eternal life if they worshipped Morgoth.
Since King Tar-Palantir died in season 1, Pharazôn may usurp the throne as Queen Regent Míriel sails back home in season 2. Pharazôn is already seen gazing into the Palantir in the most recent trailer, which may foreshadow him being swayed by Sauron’s influence, similar to how he corrupted Saruman in the Third Age. Thus, audiences could see Sauron ruling over Númenor as Pharazôn’s adviser, leading to the attempted invasion of Valinor and Númenor’s destruction, as foreshadowed by Galadriel’s vision of the flooding city.
What does the latest trailer reveal about season 2’s plot?
Nevertheless, these events seem miles away from the story on display in the latest trailer for the second season. This footage implies that the new season will instead depict the heroes during their continued search for Sauron and their ongoing war with the Orcs led by Adar.
The trailer shows Galadriel and her Elven allies at odds over whether to use the three Rings of Power. This comes after Galadriel learned in season 1 that Halbrand, her ally who helped create the Rings, was Sauron in disguise. Though Elrond is against using Sauron’s gifts, Galadriel’s choice to use her Ring could drive a wedge between them and bring out the darkness buried within her.
The new trailer also shows Sauron appearing to Celebrimbor in a new Elven form, likely that of “Annatar, the Lord of Gifts” from the source material. This footage implies that Sauron will deceive Celebrimbor into helping him forge the other Rings of Power (one of which is shown in the hands of Durin III). As a result, showrunners McKay and Payne described Celebrimbor as the “principal protagonist” of this season, with his partnership with Sauron being the “central relationship.”
At the same time, the wizard, known as the Stranger, is seen in a desert location, which is likely in the land of Rhûn. Audiences last saw him set off to this eastern region with Nori, and the arid landscape fits the description of Rhûn in Tolkien’s story. Perhaps it is here that the wizard will discover his role in the upcoming war with Sauron.
The creation of the remaining Rings of Power
Though only three Rings of Power have been created so far, season 2 will likely show Sauron and Celebrimbor creating the remaining Rings and granting some to the Dwarves. Sauron is also heard in the latest trailer declaring that Celebrimbor will bring him “the Nine,” most likely referring to the Rings meant for the Kings of Men, whom Sauron will later turn into the Nazgûl. Thus, audiences may see Galadriel face the consequences of her forging the first three Rings despite knowing Halbrand’s true identity.
This would be especially true if season 2 shows Sauron invading the Elven city of Eregion, like in the book. Such a pivotal battle is rumored to have been filmed in a two-episode storyline for the series, with Arondir and Elrond teaming up to fight an Orc army and protect Eregion. It could be the epic battle between the Elves and the Orcs teased in the most recent trailer.
As for the Dwarves, season 2 may show them sealing the mystical Doors of Durin to Khazad-dûm now that Sauron has returned. However, this may trap them with something far worse, as season 1 revealed their mining had roused a Balrog from its slumber underground. The trailers do show Khazad-dûm crumbling and the Balrog flying in action. It seems the fiery demon will finally crawl out of the depths and destroy the Dwarven city, becoming the creature known as Durin’s Bane, whom Gandalf fights in The Fellowship of the Ring.
Who will appear in Rings of Power season 2?
While much of the original cast will return for season 2, actor Sam Hazeldine will portray the fallen Elf and Orc leader Adar instead of Joseph Mawle. It remains to be seen if Hazeldine can live up to Mawle’s performance as the tragic villain, which was a highlight of the previous season.
Likewise, season 2 will feature new cast members Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworth, Nia Towle, Nicholas Woodeson, Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, William Chubb, Kevin Eldon, Will Keen, Selina Lo, and Calam Lynch. Veteran actor Ciarán Hinds will also join the show as one of the Istar (or “Wizards”), while Rory Kinnear will portray Tom Bombadil, a mysterious and magical being immune to the effects of the One Ring.
Though most of the new characters are unknown, there have been rumors that Indian actor Gavi Singh Chera will portray Sauron in his original form. If these whispers are true, he may play the Dark Lord in a flashback hinted at in the trailer from Comic-Con, showing what seems to be Adar’s rebellion against Sauron by impaling his former master with his crown.
Said trailer also introduces the Ents, the walking and talking Tree-folk Merry and Pippin encounter in The Two Towers. The trailers even feature one of the Great Eagles flying to Númenor, implying they will join the fight against Sauron and the forces of Mordor.
On top of that, the trailer seems to feature the show’s version of the spider Shelob, albeit a much smaller and younger one. Fans know Shelob as the deadly creature who attacked Frodo and Sam as part of Gollum’s plan to steal the One Ring. What her role will be in this prequel series is anyone’s guess.
In addition, a BTS featurette reveals that the heroes will face off against the Barrow-wights, evil spirits born from the remains of fallen humans. VFX supervisor Jason Smith describes this encounter as a short horror film set in Middle-earth.
Who is directing Rings of Power season 2?
The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will continue to oversee the second season’s production. So far, Charlotte Brändström (Shōgun, The Witcher) has been confirmed to direct the first, third, seventh, and eighth episodes, after having already directed six of the eight episodes from season 1.
What will Rings of Power season 2 look like?
After season 1 set up the world of the story and the brewing conflict, season 2 has been promised by Brändström to be “darker,” “edgier,” and “more character-driven.”
“I think it’s going to be a very good season. We tried to make it more gritty, a little bit more dirty I guess. And not in the image, but to make it as authentic as possible. We have some very surprising twists and turns in it as well,” Brändström added in an interview with Collider.
A darker story should be entertaining indeed, especially since season 1 ended with Mount Doom scorching the Southlands and the heroes setting up their own destruction at the hands of Sauron. As a result, the series’ new episodes should reap the emotional and shocking epic that season 1 had sown.
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