Gandalf Addresses Major Unanswered Questions in Rings of Power Series

The biggest revelation in Rings of Power has emerged after the Season 2 finale: the Stranger is indeed Gandalf! However, many questions linger about his character’s evolution, which we addressed with Daniel Weyman.

Previously known to Rings of Power fans as the “meteor man,” the show eventually assigned him the temporary name of the Stranger.

His close bond with the Harfoots, interactions with Tom Bombadil, and his tendency to quote lines from Lord of the Rings (most notably telling Nori to “follow her nose”) led to a widely held theory.

Regrettably for fans of the Blue Wizard theory, the conclusion of Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 8 confirmed that the Stranger is indeed Gandalf.

The Stranger in Rings of Power and Gandalf in Lord of the Rings — Prime Video/New Line Cinema

Interestingly, in Tolkien’s lore, Gandalf only arrives in Middle-earth during the Second Age, meaning we are navigating unexplored territory in his backstory.

Weyman was unaware he would portray Gandalf when he joined the cast; at one point, he suspected he might play Sauron. Now, it remains uncertain what lies ahead for his character as the Dark Lord’s influence spreads throughout the continent – even Weyman himself is unsure.

“I think that’s one of the intriguing aspects of our show… the Second Age spans thousands of years, yet there is limited documentation available,” he noted.

“We know some significant events that occurred. However, within the narrative, there are many blank areas that can be explored.

“The writers and showrunners have ventured into these unexplored realms. I can assure you that I have no insight into what’s on the horizon for my character or the others.”

“I’m pretty convinced that we will hit certain pivotal moments, but regarding future plots, I am completely in the dark.”

The Dark Wizard in Rings of Power Season 2 — Prime Video

This brings us to another critical question stemming from Season 2: who exactly is the Dark Wizard? With Gandalf revealed, Saruman becomes a potential candidate, particularly given how he refers to Gandalf as “old friend” in the finale.

“I don’t know that either. It’s a significant mystery, and Ciarán possesses immense gravitas… Honestly, I have no idea,” Weyman admitted.

“Throughout filming, I caught onto numerous hints and thought, ‘I wonder if this is the answer.’ But these seem just as puzzling to me as they are to the viewers.”