The upcoming second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will transport us back to Middle-earth, and it appears that this next installment will surpass its predecessor in size and quality.
In 2022, the Prime Video series The Rings of Power was a massive hit, breaking records and becoming the most-viewed program in the streaming service’s history. Transforming J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy novels into a television show was no easy feat, but the series has managed to captivate viewers with its debut season despite the difficulties.
Joining forces with Galadriel, Nori, the Stranger, Elrond, and Durin, Celebrimbor takes on the role of “arguably the main protagonist”in The Rings of Power season 2. According to the showrunners, confirmed in a print feature for Total Film, the second season delves into Sauron’s story in a completely unique manner, with Celebrimbor at the forefront.
To fully understand the plot, it is important to have knowledge of the key characters from the Second Age. You may already be familiar with some of these characters, as the elves have extended lifespans that cover the entire history of Middle-earth.
Readers of Tolkien’s works may recognize certain characters who are mentioned in the book’s appendices, which provide a summary of events from the Second Age. However, there are also entirely new characters whose role in the plot remains uncertain.
Before you watch the show, here is everyone you need to know.
1. Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
Despite being a young actress at the time, Cate Blanchett delivered a memorable performance as Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s adaptation of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is worth noting that she showed great restraint by refusing to accept the powerful object from Frodo.
Despite being immortal, Galadriel, portrayed by Clark, appears noticeably younger in The Rings of Power. She is portrayed as more impulsive and much younger than Blanchett’s depiction. The show is set to illustrate her development into the wise and diplomatic figure we see in The Lord of the Rings.
At the beginning of the series, she is a fierce warrior, determined to seek retribution for her brother’s demise in a confrontation with Sauron and his minions. She scours Middle-earth in pursuit of Sauron, who is nowhere to be found.
2. Charlie Vickers as Halbrand
Halbrand, a new character, has been introduced in The Rings of Power. Galadriel encounters the enigmatic man, a mortal who is escaping his past. Due to Halbrand’s significance and absence in Tolkien’s works, numerous fans are speculating that he could be concealing his true identity.
In addition, the description of a “mysterious background”should give you reason to pause. Tolkien was known for avoiding coincidences in his writing, often having characters meet through fate. This suggests that the protagonist, tripping over Galadriel, may have a larger role in the battle between good and evil.
3. Robert Aramayo as Elrond
Those who are fans of the Lord of the Rings are likely to recognize Elrond, the leader of Rivendell, the elven kingdom, who is portrayed as a half-human, half-elf character. Elrond was brought to life by Hugo Weaving in the Jackson trilogy.
In the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, Elrond plays a vital role in the fight against Sauron’s army and ultimately helps determine the fate of the ring. His assistance will be crucial in aiding Frodo in destroying the object, thousands of years in the future.
Despite his previous role as a statesman serving the elf High King Gil-Galad, Elrond eventually became a military leader and welcomed his daughter Arwen into the world. In the beginning of the show, he embarks on a journey to reunite with his longtime friend Prince Durin IV in the dwarf kingdom of Kazad-dûm.
Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad
In the opening scenes of Fellowship of the Ring, viewers were introduced to Mark Ferguson’s portrayal of High King Gil-Galad, a beloved character among fans of the Lord of the Rings. This battle showcases Gil-Galad, who, alongside Elendil, united the Elves and Men in the Last Alliance. Considered by many to be the most prominent Elf of the Second Age, Gil-Galad is the ruler of the kingdom of Lindon in the series.
5. Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor
Fans of the popular video games Shadow of War and Shadow of Mordor will easily recognize Celebrimbor, the elf smith who was deceived by a disguised Sauron into creating the rings of power.
Celebrimbor’s longing to create powerful objects, as seen in the early Rings of Power episodes, is a crucial element of the program, as it all stems from his invention and is filled with dramatic irony.
6. Maxim Baldry as Isildur
Isildur was the one who succeeded in severing Sauron’s finger and obtaining the ring. However, he was unable to destroy the powerful ring itself. This failure allowed Sauron to rise again in the Third Age during the events of Lord of the Rings. In the films, Aragorn, a descendant of Isildur, fears that he too will be tempted by his human frailty when faced with immense evil, just as his ancestor was.
Although Isildur’s tale is filled with tragedy, he also achieved several notable accomplishments. He co-founded and ruled Gondor with his brother Anárion. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the fight against Sauron, fighting alongside his father and Gil-Galad. When he is first introduced in the show, he is portrayed as a sailor rather than a leader of his people.
7. Lloyd Owen as Elendil
Elendil, the father of Isildur, played a crucial role in the battle against Sauron. His name, when translated, means “Friend of the Elves”and he formed an alliance with them to stop the spread of darkness in Middle-earth. As a ship captain, he also attempts to manage his adult children’s fiery temperaments when we are first introduced to him in the series.
Owain Arthur as Prince Durin IV
King Durin III, the father of Durin, is the ruler of the dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dûm. As many may recall, towards the end of the Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf encountered a Balrog in the mines of the ruined Khazad-dûm (later known as Moria). Despite this, the underground realm flourished during the Second Age due to the abundant riches hidden within the mountain where the dwarves reside.
Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa
The character of Disa, Durin’s wife, marks the first time a female dwarf has been depicted in a Tolkien adaptation. She is one of the many dwarves who sing to the mountain in order to discover its secrets.
Ismael Cruz Cordova as Arondir
Arondir, a fictional elf created for the program, is a Silvan Elf, distinguishing him from High Elves by his strong connection to the natural world and lack of concern for ostentation. The Silvan Elves eventually make their homes in Mirkwood and Lothlórien.
When we are first introduced to Arondir, he is a soldier who has fallen in love with Bronwyn, a human. As seen in the romance between Aragorn and Arwen, relationships between humans and elves are forbidden in Middle-earth. Due to the mortality of humans and immortality of elves, these relationships are doomed to end tragically. The teasers have hinted that Arondir will face numerous battles against orcs in the future.
Actress Nazanin Boniadi as Bronwyn
Theo is the sole offspring of Bronwyn, a healer who resides in Tirharad, a place translated as “near Harad.”This is concerning for her community as Harad, a mysterious area located south of Mordor, is not a favorable location. Perhaps this is why both Arondir and Bronwyn have encountered orcs.
12. Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo
Theo, who is Bronwyn’s son, is another character in the show. An intriguing detail in the television series trailers is that he is depicted as a broken sword with ominous Mordor vibes. The origin of this weapon and how Theo acquired it remains a mystery, possibly obtained from his unnamed father.
13. Markella Kavenagh as Nori Brandyfoot
Without hobbits, or at least similar creatures, what would a Lord of the Rings show be? Nori, one of the hobbits’ nomadic ancestors, is classified as a harfoot. Information about harfoots can be found in Tolkien’s book “Concerning Hobbits”.
While Nori may not be mentioned in the grand chronicles of Middle-earth due to harfoots’ tendency to shy away from interaction with humans and other creatures, she still plays a crucial role in the program. Her insatiable curiosity leads her to discover a stranger who has crash-landed on a meteor and she pledges to aid him in his quest to return home.
14. Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Queen Regent Míriel
The island nation of Númenor holds great significance in Rings of Power as it is governed by humans with half-elven lineage. Among the Númenorean men are Aragorn, Boromir, and Faramir. Although Númenor has already fallen by the time of The Lord of the Rings, in Fellowship of the Ring, our heroes briefly sail through its ruins. Nevertheless, the land remains a formidable force in Rings of Power.
At the beginning of the show, Queen Regent Míriel is the ruler of the land. Despite this, her people are divided and filled with unease about the future of the kingdom. In addition, Pharazôn is a man with unconventional ideas.
15. Daniel Weyman as The Stranger
A mysterious figure crashes to the ground after colliding with a meteor. It is uncertain where he originated from as he does not communicate in Nori’s language, yet he possesses supernatural powers. The producers have dubbed him The Stranger, yet his true identity remains a secret.
Unless proven otherwise, my assumption will remain that any use of magic in this show is performed by a wizard. This is simply speculation on my part. According to Tolkien’s writings, Gandalf and Saruman did not appear in Middle-earth until the Third Age. However, it is possible that the show’s writers will find a way to incorporate such a beloved character.
New Characters For Season 2:
In the second season of The Rings of Power, the cast has been expanded to include new actors and actresses. One of the new additions is Rory Kinnear, who will be playing Tom Bombadil. While some cast members have been announced, their specific roles have not yet been revealed.
- Ciarán Hinds as Dark Wizard (unknown identity)
- Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil (Tolkien character)
- Kevin Eldon as Narvi the Dwarf (Tolkien character)
- Ben Daniels as Círdan the Wizard (Tolkien character)
- Nia Towle as Estrid (original character)
- Tanya Moodie as Gundabel the Stoor (original character)
- Gavi Singh Chera as Merimac the Stoor (original character)
- Amelia Kenworthy as Mirdania the Elf (original character)
- Calam Lynch as Camnir the Elf (original character)
About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power, an American TV series based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings, has been developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Taking place in the Second Age of Middle-earth, the show is set 3,000 years prior to the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It will depict a time of tranquility before delving into the emergence of the Dark Lord Sauron and the creation of the rings of power.
Among the many others in the cast are Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, and Dylan Smith.
Leave a Reply