Amazon Studios The Rings of Power is here. We want all Spoilerites to have the best viewing experience possible and have the widest knowledge base about the Second Age of Middle-Earth. This is a weekly Let’s Get Nerdy article series highlighting a different piece of Tolkien I think you need to know about!
In past articles I have answered the question:
- What Are the Rings of Power?
- What is Númenor?
- What is the Second Age?
- Who are the Harfoots?
- Who is Prince Durin IV?
- What is Khazad-dûm?
- Who is Celebrimbor?
- What is the Last Alliance of Men and Elves?
- Who is Elendil?
- New Pics! Who are Bronwyn and Theo?
- What is Rivendell?
- The Rings of Power First Reactions Are In!
- What is Lindon?
- What are the Nine Human Rings?
- Empire Magazine’s The Rings of Power Covers
- New Character Pictures
- Will Wizards Appear in The Rings of Power?
- New Promo for The Rings of Power
- What is Eregion?
- Leaked! Rings of Power Trailer Breakdown
- The Rings of Power Teaser Breakdown
- New EW Rings of Power Pictures
- SDCC Rings of Power Trailer Breakdown
- Who is Isildur?
- The Rings of Power is Here! Read the Reactions
- Who is the Stranger?
- Who is Queen Míriel?
- Who is Ar-Pharazôn?
- What is the broken black blade?
- What is Mordor?
- What is Mithril?
- What are the Silmarils?
- What is Narsil?
- Who founded Númenor?
- Who is Galadriel’s Brother Finrod?
This week we are getting our heads out of the lore and into production! Or “pre-production” as it may be. Over the past couple weeks websites from TheOneRing.net to The Hollywood Reporter to Variety have been reporting on cast announcements for the next season of Amazon Studios’ The Rings of Power. Despite knowing the show won’t return until autumn 2024 this is still super exciting news. I’ve collected the announcements here for your reading pleasure, so let’s take a look together at who is going to be joining us in Middle-Earth in a couple years.
First, let’s get into the “Adar” of it all. Adar was the “original orc” and villainous figure who loomed over the first season of The Rings of Power. He was played by Game of Thrones alumni, Joseph Mawle. New broke a couple weeks ago that Mawle would not return to The Rings of Power and the actor took to his official Twitter to release a personal statement:
Joseph Mawle on Twitter: “I loved my time exploring middle earth and diving into Tolkien’s mythology. I’m so honoured that the character was liked. He cared deeply about telling you his story. Though as an actor it remains my wish, my job description to explore new characters and worlds. Wishing all the / Twitter”
I loved my time exploring middle earth and diving into Tolkien’s mythology. I’m so honoured that the character was liked. He cared deeply about telling you his story. Though as an actor it remains my wish, my job description to explore new characters and worlds. Wishing all the
Hot on the heels of Mawle’s non-continuation Deadline announced actor Sam Hazeldine (The Sandman,
Peaky Blinders), with an additional six actors also being added to the cast including:
Gabriel Akuwudike (Hanna), Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour (The Witcher), Ben Daniels (Jupiter’s Legacy), newcomer Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle (Persuasion), and Nicholas Woodeson (Silent Witness). In keeping with their usual production relationship to the press any and all details about which characters these actors are playing and whether or not they are original or canon characters are being kept very close to the vest.
Eight more actors were added to the cast and announced a couple days later on Deadline including:
Oliver Alvin-Wilson (The Bay), Stuart Bowman (The Pact), Gavi Singh Chera (The Undeclared War), William Chubb (Vampire Academy), Kevin Eldon (Game of Thrones), Will Keen (Ridley Road), Selina Lo (Boss Level), and Calam Lynch (Bridgerton).
Did you notice another Game of Thrones alumni joining the cast? I certainly did!
*insert double eye emoji here*
It may seem like there is a lot of UK-based talent that’s likely due to the fact the Rings of Power is currently in production in the United Kingdom. Production for the first season was famous for flying the cast all over the world amidst various Covid standards and requirements. I’ll be watching and interested to see if we get more international talent as shooting moves from location to location once again.
The last note I’d like to leave you with this week is to wonder where in the world of Middle-Earth and Arda this new season is going to find us? This addition of 14 new cast members (yes, 15 counting new Adar), to me implies we’re going to meet an entirely new people or place. My top guesses for potential locations or peoples: Mirkwood, Haradrim, Erebor.
If Spoilerites have guesses, hopes, or dreams for these specific actors I’d love to read them in the comments section!
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