Will Rings of Power be axed after a decrease in viewership for Season 2? Not at all, as affirmed by Jennifer Salke, the head of Amazon Studios.
Upon its debut in 2022, Rings of Power found itself in direct comparison with House of the Dragon. Both series premiered simultaneously, creating a rivalry despite differing release days.
In this matchup, HBO emerged victorious. While the first season set viewership records on Prime Video, its lower completion rate and mixed audience reception suggested a lackluster performance overall.
Season 2 of Rings of Power showed notable enhancements (as highlighted in our review), but the audience size saw a nearly 50% drop compared to the premiere of its first season, and the exact number of viewers who stayed until last week’s finale remains unknown.
Sauron is expected to forge the One Ring in the upcoming Season 3
There’s no need for concern, as Amazon’s top executive has confirmed that Rings of Power will be returning for a third season.
In a discussion with Variety, Salke addressed whether there had been any alterations to Amazon’s commitment of 50 episodes for the series.
“I don’t believe so. That commitment is not the primary focus of our strategy,” she stated.
“As long as we continue to see our global audience enjoying and engaging with the show, we will keep producing it. It’s a business, and certainly, we need a substantial viewership to sustain this. And we do have a significant audience, so there is no doubt about the future of the series.”
Salke hinted at potential acquisitions, mentioning discussions around Embracer, a company that controls most of Tolkien’s intellectual property. “We’re always exploring those possibilities, but I don’t have any updates to provide at this time,” she added.
Showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne haven’t revealed much about what’s in store for the third season. “All we can say is that we’re on it. We’re creating. Let us do our thing,” they expressed.
If you’re eager to dive deeper into the world of Middle-earth, check out our interview with Daniel Weyman, who portrays Gandalf, discover insights from Nori’s actress on her theory about founding the Shire, and learn how Charlie Vickers, who plays Sauron, improvised a key emotional moment in the Season 2 finale.
Lascia un commento