The Rings of Power season 2: key information
– Releasing on Prime Video in August
– Trailers released in May and JUly
– Will follow Tolkien’s books more closely than its predecessor
– Key cast set to return
– Two season 1 actors won’t be back
– New characters revealed
– Official story synopsis unveiled
– Season 3 reportedly on the way
– New The Lord of the Rings movies won’t impact its development
The Rings of Power season 2 is almost here, everyone. Almost two years after its predecessor’s finale aired on Prime Video, it’s nearly time to return to Middle-earth – and, following the release of its official trailer, we imagine you’re keen to learn more about what’s in store.
Below, we’ve rounded up the latest intel on The Rings of Power‘s second season. Indeed, you’ll find more information on its release date, trailers, story synopsis, cast details, and one of the best Prime Video shows‘ future on Amazon’s main streaming service.
Full spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1. Potential season 2 spoilers are also discussed, so make sure you’re caught up on the first season before proceeding.
The Rings of Power season 2 release date
Evil has had many names. The Rings Of Power returns August 29 on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/blqhy6QleIMay 14, 2024
The Rings of Power season 2 will launch on Thursday, August 29. Its release date was confirmed in The Rings of Power season 2’s first trailer, which also proved lessons have been learned from season 1 (more on why later).
It’s unclear how many episodes will arrive on launch day. Season 1 debuted with a two-episode premiere, so we expect its follow-up will do likewise. However, with Amazon trialling a full season release with the first season of its Fallout TV show, we could get all eight episodes of The Lord of The Rings prequel series’ next chapter on release day. We’ll update this section once we know more.
The Rings of Power season 2 trailer
Debuting on July 27, we labeled season 2’s official trailer as one of nine huge announcements that wowed us at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. There are plenty of secrets, surprise character reveals, and other enthralling tidbits in the three-minute long teaser, too, so be sure to read our The Rings of Power season 2 official trailer breakdown article to learn more about them.
Missed The Rings of Power season 2’s first trailer, which arrived in mid-May, hinted at a much darker installment, and teased it’ll adapt Middle-earth’s lore and history more closely than its predecessor? Check it out below and then read our The Rings of Power season 2’s trailer #1 breakdown article to get the lowdown on its biggest talking points.
The Rings of Power season 2 cast: confirmed and rumored
Major spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1. Potential season 2 cast spoilers are also discussed.
Here’s The Rings of Power season 2’s incredibly long cast list so far (NB: the final four actors haven’t been confirmed to appear yet, but we expect they’ll part of proceedings):
- Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
- Charlie Vickers as Sauron/Annatar
- Robert Aramayo as Elrond
- Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad
- Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor
- Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir
- Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Queen Regent Míriel
- Lloyd Owen as Elendil
- Maxim Baldry as Isildur
- Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
- Leon Wadham as Kemen
- Owain Arthur as Prince Durin IV
- Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa
- Peter Mullan as King Durin III
- Markella Kavenagh as Eleanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot
- Megan Richards and Poppy Proudfellow
- Daniel Weyman as The Stranger
- Sam Hazeldine as Adar
- Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil
- Nia Towle as Estrid
- Ben Daniels as Cirdan the Shipwright
- Kevin Eldon as Narvi
- Amelia Kenworthy as Mirdania
- Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo
- Ema Horvath as Eärien
- Dylan Smith as Largo Brandyfoot
- Sara Zwangobani as Marigold Brandyfoot
The Rings of Power season 1 finale revealed Halbrand was the human disguise for Sauron, aka The Lord of the Rings‘ primary antagonist. In season 2, we’ll see plenty more of the Maiar, particularly in his elven form of Annatar, the so-called Lord of Gifts who Sauron masquerades as to fool the elves into helping him to craft more of the titular rings.
We expect to see Alex Tarrant’s Valandil, Geoff Morrell’s Waldreg, Maxine Cunliffe’s Vilma, and Thusitha Jayasundera’ Malva next season, although Vilma and Malva’s appearances depend on the Harfoot community’s return (more on this later).
As for those who won’t be back, the biggest cast omission is Nazanin Boniadi, who played Bronwyn in season 1. Per Instagram (see above), Boniadi confirmed she won’t be returning. Joseph Mawle isn’t reprising his season 1 role of Adar, either, with The Rings of Power season 2 dropping one of its big name stars in December 2022. The fallen elf will be portrayed by Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders) this time aorund. Lenny Henry’s Sadoc Burrows and The Mystics, who died in season 1 episode 8, won’t be back, too.
On the newcomer front, the characters played by five of 17 actors, who were previously announced for season 2, have been revealed. First, The Rings of Power season 2 will include a fan-favorite character in a live-action Lord of the Rings project for the very first time: Tom Bombadil, who’ll be played by James Bond alumnus Rory Kinnear.
Eldest, that’s what he is. pic.twitter.com/GTU9SxxeNIMay 29, 2024
Next, Nia Towle (Persuasion) has been hired to play Estrid, a brand-new character who’ll cross paths with Isildur and could have big lore implications regarding the latter (per IGN). Ben Daniels (Foundation) was confirmed to be playing Cirdan the Shipwright by Amazon in mid-July. In the source material, he’s Lord of the Falathrim in the First Age and owned one of the titular rings – Narya – before passing it onto Gandalf. Benjamin Walker, who plays High King Gil-galad, has teased (via Nerdist) that Cirdan will be an “important influence” on his character.
Elsewhere, Entertainment Weekly (EW) revealed Kevin Eldon (Game of Thrones) is portraying Narvi the dwarf. Charles Edwards, who plays Celebrimbor, previously told TechRadar he wanted to see the deep-cut dwarf character make their live-action debut in season 2, so he’s got his wish here. Lastly on the newcomer front (for now), Polygon also confirmed Amelia Kenworthy has been cast as Mirdania, one of Celebrimbor’s elven smith protégés and whose “loyalty will be tested when an unexpected visitor [Annatar] arrives in Eregion.”
As for else will show up in season 2, here’s a list of the remaining 12 actors whose character identities haven’t been disclosed:
Cirdan isn’t the only new elf who could feature. In season 1 episode 7, Galadriel name-checked Celeborn, the elf she’s wedded to and who she presumes is dead. However, Tolkien fans know he’s still alive at this point on The Lord of the Rings timline, so a reunion between them, plus the pair making the city of Lothlórien their permanent home seems likely. Speaking at a press event that TechRadar attended, co-showrunner Patrick McKay refused to confirm Celeborn will appear in season 2, but comments he made during the show’s season 2 panel at Comic-Con (per IGN) suggests Celeborn and another fan-favorite elf Glorfindel might cameo.
Finally, with the first of the titular rings being crafted in season 1, we’ll see the other 17 forged in season 2. Characters like Khamûl the Easterling – one of the nine Ringwraiths – then, could make their live-action debut.
The Rings of Power season 2 plot synopsis and rumors
Full spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1.
Here’s The Rings of Power season 2’s official plot synopsis: “In season 2 of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will.
“Building on season 1’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.”
Celebrimbor’s handiwork will shape the future of Middle-earth. pic.twitter.com/maipeNqojLJune 10, 2024
Now that Sauron has been revealed – Vickers told TechRadar he didn’t know he was playing Sauron until filming the third episode – Middle-earth’s legendary villain is going to take center stage. In fact, season 2 will be “all about the villains”, according to co-showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, so we’ll see more of Middle-earth’s nefarious beings very soon.
But back to Sauron. He’s arrived in Mordor to make it his headquarters and, with Adar and his followers already inhabiting this realm, it’ll be fascinating to see if they team up. Vickers told TechRadar that he’d be excited to explore the pair’s frosty relationship further, which we already glimpsed in season 1, adding: “I really love that dynamic. These characters have a long history, so I’d be keen to explore that further and even build on it.”
As for Galadriel, her decision not to tell her elven kin about Sauron is going to come back and haunt her. Not only does Elrond already knows she’s lied to him – he found the Southlands’ royal lineage scroll, which Galadriel used to work out who Halbrand was, in last season’s finale – but Sauron is also set to deceive the elves once more. Indeed, this season, he’ll assume his Annatar alias to persuade Eregion’s elven smiths to help him create the other titular rings. Those glaring errors means Galadriel has a “desperation to redeem herself”, according to actor Morfydd Clark (per Empire magazine).
Speaking of the aforementioned rings, there are more to create, including the One Ring. Vickers wouldn’t tell TechRadar if the One Ring will be made in season; instead saying Sauron “has a plan”. Take that as a yes, then.
Regarding their creation, Tolkien’s source material states the rings for the dwarves and men (seven and nine respectively) were created alongside the One Ring and elven ones. However, the latter trio’s creation didn’t happen alongside their brethren in Amazon’s adaptation, which has played pretty loose with some Tolkien lore. However, this season will follow Tolkien’s literary works more closely, so the other 17 rings will, as evidenced by season 2’s trailers, be forged before its finale.
We’ll also follow up with The Stranger, who was revealed as one of the Istari, aka one of the five wizards sent to Middle-earth by the Valar (Middle-earth’s gods, essentially) to help thwart Sauron. The season 1 finale seemed to confirm his real identity, although none of the cast found out that The Stranger was a wizard until filming on season 1 had nearly wrapped.
Read our Rings of Power season 1 recaps
Anyway, The Stranger and new Harfoot buddy Nori are heading to Rhûn in Middle-earth’s far eastern regions to learn more about his identity, his past, and his powers. Will they run into Khamûl or the two Blue Wizards, providing The Stranger isn’t one of that duo? They’re set to meet Tom Bombadil if nothing else, but it would be good to see them interact with the aforementioned individuals, too. As for the other Harfoots, they’re headed for pastures new again. Speaking during a press screening, which TechRadar attended, in October 2022, McKay confirmed we’ll be reunited with them at some point and even teased their involvement in Hobbiton’s founding.
We should find out where the Southlanders have relocated to, too. Season 1 episode 7 confirmed the Southlands is the region that becomes Mordor after The Rings of Power episode 6’s explosive ending. Additionally, Bronwyn suggested the remaining Southlanders would resettle in Pelargir, a city on the banks of the river Anduin that becomes Gondor’s main port in the Third Age.
This group – Silvan elf warrior Arondir, who accompanies them, aside – were absent from both trailers, so we don’t know how heavily they’ll feature in season 2. It’s unlikely season 1 marked the end of the Southlanders’ time in the series, though. In the source material, Pelargir becomes a haven for the Faithful – Númenóreans who are friendly with the elves – during the island kingdom’s moral decline in the Second Age. If events play out like they do in Tolkien’s works, we’ll see them again.
In Khazad-dûm, King Durin III and Prince Durin IV need to resolve their familial dispute, with the former stripping his son of his titles after they fell out over the mining of mithril. We believe season 2 will depict the brutal Siege of Eregion in its final episode or two, however, meaning the pair will make amends before Durin III’s forces come to Eregion’s aid to try and stop Sauron’s army from decimating the city.
In the literature, King Durin sends a legion of dwarven warriors to do just that as the War of the Elves and Sauron begins. It would make sense, then, for him to patch things up with his son and the elves to ensure that Middle-earth’s timeline plays out in the same way. The two Durins will also need to set their differences aside to deal with Durin’s Bane, aka the Balrog teased in season 1, who’ll have a bigger role to play this season.
Then there’s the forthcoming upheaval in Númenor. King Palantir is dead, meaning Queen Regent Míriel should be crowned the island realm’s next ruler. However, with Míriel blinded in season 1 episode 7, plus what we know of Númenor’s history, Pharazôn will make a play for the throne. That, coupled with Sauron (albeit in a disguise) worming his way into Númenórean high society – this could be tackled in The Rings of Power season 2’s finale, in our view – will eventually lead to the kingdom’s downfall. The island’s sinking, though, shouldn’t happen for another season or two.
And what of Elendil, Isildur, and Eärien? The former will be grieving for his son – we know Isildur is alive, given the role he plays in Sauron’s defeat in the Second Age and his first trailer appearance – while still carrying out his Númenórean duties. Meanwhile, Eärien discovered the palantír in the season 1’s final entry, but we’re unsure how she’ll use it to influence events on Númenor. One thing is for certain: Pharazôn will also find and use it, as confirmed by season 2’s latest trailer.
You can expect The Rings of Power season 2 to start tying its numerous story threads together as well. Speaking to Empire, McKay said: “All our stories start to become one story, and the one story is the way the re-emergence of Sauron touches everybody and threatens the whole world”. From large-scale battles that are “on a much grander scale” (per Empire) than season 1, to characters from different narratives crossing paths, then, the show’s next entry promises to be bigger and better than before.
Will The Rings of Power get more seasons?
The Rings of Power season 2 won’t be the end of the show. Payne and McKay have planned for five seasons, which is already mapped out. Based on reports on February, The Rings of Power season 3 is already in development.
More seasons of The Rings of Power aren’t the only Middle-earth-set projects we’ll see soon, either. Warner Bros. Discovery will release War of the Rohirrim, an animated film set almost 200 years before The Lord of The Rings’ book trilogy, will arrive in late 2024. A new film from Peter Jackson, who directed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit‘s live-action movie trilogies, is also in early development. It’s called The Hunt for Gollum and it’ll see Andy Serkis return as the titular character. Jackson is on board as a producer, while Serkis will direct the 2026-releasing feature.
These other projects won’t impact The Rings of Power, however. It’s one of most-watched shows in Prime Video’s history so, unless the second season suffers a huge drop off in viewership, it’s unlikely to be cancelled any time soon. In short: expect McKay and Payne to see their full vision for a five-season story realized.
For more Prime Video TV-based coverage, get the lowdown on Invincible season 3, Fallout season 2, and The Boys season 4.
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