Last night TheOneRing.net and Amazon Prime Video hosted a “Rings of Power” off-site party at San Diego Comic-con.
The setting was lovely and looked very Middle-earthy with trees growing inside the venue surrounded by moss, rocks, mushrooms, and even a few birds’ nests filled with eggssess, precious. Showrunner Patrick McKay joined the party, and TORN staffer Cliff “Quickbeam” Broadway talked Tolkien lore with him. Jed Brophy stopped by, too.
Golden Mallorn leaf tickets were given out at TORn’s Booth 1220 in the convention center for trivia answers. These ticket holders got to meet 20+ Rings of Power actors and have posters signed by them all. Five Middle-earth costume winners also got Mallorn tickets. Actual set-worn costumes were displayed throughout the venue, and immediately after the party, they were bubble wrapped and crated and flown back to the set.
Highlights of the food and drink that flowed throughout the evening were the blackberry sparkling cocktail and the mini poke ice cream cones surrounding a mountain from which smoke poured out.
An expanded trailer that does not disappoint was played in a separate room on loop.
It was a wonderful evening, and hopefully the first of many ”Rings of Power” parties. (Emmys party perhaps?)
Just a week over the drop of the full length ‘teaser’ trailer from Prime Video, today fans were treated to a FULL trailer (3min long) for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Timed for release in the midst of San Diego Comic-con – and dropping during Prime Video’s Hall H panel – this trailer certainly sweeps away the coy hinting, and gives us a real look at what the story of Rings of Power may be; at least in the first season. But it may also pose more questions than it answers. Take a look:
The trailer captures in spirit Peter Jackson’s vision of Middle-earth and of other Tolkien artists. I was caught up by it and am curious to see more, but it left me, and probably most viewers, with more questions than answers.
Why would he say this? It means not only literally put down your sword, but give up the fight. He’s asking her to give up everything she has stood for. To give up on what she has so long fought for. Even after Lothlórien is well established, Galadriel never gives up fighting evil in Middle-earth. If I were her, I’d be pretty angry at him for saying this. Could this be a hint of a thread of conflict that will run between the two of them throughout the show?
Galadriel is believable as a younger version of herself who seems capable as one of the Elves who lead the Noldor across the Grinding Ice. Is that a map she is holding? If this is the Helcaraxë, I doubt a map would exist. If she is in the Northern Waste which has been mentioned as a featured location, I wonder what brings her there. It would be interesting to learn more about the Forodwaith, and it opens up the opportunity for dragons who also lived there.
What is Elrond referrring to when he says, “It is over?” Perhaps this scene is taking place after Númenor falls, and Elrond thinks Sauron (and evil) is gone. Or maybe he is talking about Galadriel’s dispute with the heirs of Fëanor because all the Silmaril’s have left Middle-earth.
Galadriel says, “The enemy is still out there. The question now is where.” The trailer then cuts to a city on a river. I wondered if it was Rómenna because Sauron is now on Númenor. Or Ost-in-Edhil in Eregion where Sauron as Annatar, “Lord of Gifts”, is hanging out with Celebrimbor showing him how to make rings of power. My immediate thought was that the location looked like Middle-earth rather than Númenor. I even hoped for a moment it might be Osgiliath which straddled the Anduin River, though it was not at the confluence of two rivers like this appears to be, unless it is a curve in the river. Osgiliath had a great stone bridge, and there is a domed building in this city that could be the Dome of Stars. I doubt it is Osgiliath, but one can hope we will get to see the founding of Gondor and Annúminas.
When Galadriel says she has seen things Elrond has not, we are shown an image that looks like the world is on fire. I first thought this might be the burning of the Teleri ships at Losgar, but because of the tower, I think not. Could it be the destruction of Thangorodrim in the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age? The description in the Silmarillion of the battle says: “all the north was aflame with war” and “…Orcs perished like straw in a great fire, or were swept like shrivelled leaves before a burning wind.” This gives credence to the bodies floating in the air, though they look rather like Elves than Orcs. In that battle, Eärendil slew the mighty dragon Ancalagon the Black, and “cast him from the sky; and he fell upon the towers of Thangorodrim, and they were broken in his ruin.” This would account for the broken tower. Perhaps, but perhaps not. TORn staffer Demosthenes has a more comprehensive post about this scene to come.
Preparing for disaster
In this shot where a huge stone figure reaches out its hand, I wonder if the harbor is Rómenna where the ships of the Faithful are prepared for departure as Amandil, Elendil’s father, instructed. The image depicts nine large ships at anchor. Elendil landed in the north of Middle-earth with four ships. Isildur with three and Anárion with two, ended up in the south at the Mouths of Anduin.
The frontal view of the ship sailing through the gates has the sun symbol on the sails, the same as Elendil’s armor. The ship is a very intriguing design with two large curved and ribbed sails sticking out from the mast and smaller sails in the middle. The ships in the harbor have furled (wrapped up) sails that stick out perpendicular from the boat, the same way the sails on the hero ship would likely be stowed. Later in the trailer we see Isildur on a ship, but is hard to tell if the sails are set the same, though the masts seem to be positioned differently.
Time Compression
There has been speculation that the meteor man could be Sauron because the lantern on the left is reminiscent of the Eye of Sauron. But in Akallabêth, it says Sauron’s spirit came back to Middle-earth “as a shadow and a black wind over the sea” not as a flaming meteor. I am still leaning towards this being an Istari, possibly even Gandalf. Now that we can see the man more clearly, he has similar physicality, hair, mustache, and beard as Gandalf. I know Gandalf is not supposed to come to Middle-earth until the third age, but with time compression, who knows?
Tar-Míriel
Speaking of time compression, one thing that is bothering me is that when the Rings of Power were forged, Tar-Telperiën was the Queen of Númenor, not Tar-Míriel, who we see in the trailer. The Rings of Power are forged in the year 1600 of the 2nd Age, and the downfall of Númenor is in 3319 of the same age. Given the title of the show, it seems that the forging of the rings would be featured. So either the compression is rather severe, or perhaps flashbacks are used extensively. There is a scene of Ar-Pharazôn stirring up a crowd in front of either the King’s Court or the tower where Morgoth was worshipped. It surprises me that the show would already be in his time frame since Ar-Pharazôn’s reign is so close to the fall of Númenor, which seems like a conclusion and not an opening to a series that is supposed to have five seasons.
Another clue the show-runners are not sticking strictly to canon is the character Eärien, sister of Isildur, who does not exist in Tolkien’s work. Elendil had only two children: Isildur and Anárion. I was looking forward to meeting Anárion who we know so little about and who dies in the siege of Barad-dûr. I hope he has not been cut completely.
Durins III & IV
Durin III
I’m curious what Durin III means when he says, “I am sorry but their time has come.” Is he talking about Durin IV and Disa? Is he telling someone that his reign is over, and that his heirs will be taking the throne? The trailer cuts to Durin IV breaking the rock right after he says this. We later see Durin IV holding a piece of what is most likely mithril (so exciting!) saying that it could be the beginning of new era. Is Durin III stepping aside because his son has discovered the wealth of the Dwarves’ future? Then why does he say he’s sorry? Maybe instead he is implying that Elves will once again have more power than Dwarves in Middle-earth. After the war between Sauron and the Elves begins, Khazad-dûm is closed, and its population dwindles, and the Dwarves became a wandering folk while Elves become established in Rivendell and Lórien.
Arondir
What is Arondir’s role in the story? Why is Arondir’s costume so different than the other Elves we have seen? In the trailer released in Brazil earlier this month, I noticed Elrond’s and Arondir’s brooches are very similar, both open silver circles but the heads of the fastener pins are different. Is this style a trend? Or does it mean that Arondir is somehow closely connected to Elrond? In his army? A scout for him?
Who is in the pit with Arondir? The scene reminds me of when Sauron cast Beren and Finrod Felagund into the pits of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, and the wolves came and killed their companions one-by-one (Silmarillion, Of Beren and Lúthien). Perhaps this scene takes place after the One Ring is revealed, and the second person in the pit is Celebrimbor who was captured by Sauron and tortured to disclose the locations of the lesser rings. Throwing him into a pit with wargs to extract a confession would fit the dark lord’s style.
The Horse Warriors
We see Galadriel leading a host of horse warriors with Isildur(?) riding beside her. I wonder if they are in Middle-earth during the War of the Elves and Sauron. No major battles are written about that take place on Númenor, but these riders are wearing the scale mail of that culture. [Edit: “The Tale of Years” in Appendix B of “The Lord of the Rings” says in 3175 there is civil war in Númenor, but nowhere is Galadriel mentioned as leading an armed force there.] Possibly they are Isildur’s men that sailed with him, or maybe Númenórian’s who had already settled in Middle-earth.
Númenóreans are not widely known for their horsemanship, but horses were their main mode of transportation while on the island. They had a deep love for and connection with the animals and could communicate with them from afar by whistling or even by thought, much as we see Gandalf doing with Shadowfax.
I have been hoping to see the steel bows of the Dúnedain, but these riders have spears.
“In later days, in the wars upon Middle-earth, it was the bows of the Númenóreans that were most greatly feared. ‘The Men of the Sea,’ it was said, ‘send before them a great cloud, as a rain turned to serpents, or a black hail tipped with steel;’ and in those days the great cohorts of the King’s Archers used bows made of hollow steel, with black-feathered arrows…”
– Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 1, A Description of the Island of Númenor
The Harfoots
I like that the Harfoots are portrayed as wanderers. As distant ancestors of Bilbo and Frodo, this explains why the two Shirelings are predisposed to going on adventures. The Harfoots’ role in these tales is not canon but being invented from whole cloth, as they say, yet I am happy they are included and feel the story will be enriched.
There is a lot to unpack with the trailer, but it is definitely intriguing. Looking forward to getting answers once the show airs on Amazon Prime Video.
The newly released teaser trailer for Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power dropped on July 14 and sent ripples of excitement throughout Tolkien fandom, including through the ranks of TORn staff. Here below is a presentation of spur of the moment reactions; there will be another post soon that delves deep into some of the lore being presented in this teaser trailer.
But first, if this two and a half minutes is a ‘Teaser Trailer’ in Amazon’s estimation, we can’t wait to see what they consider a full Trailer! Check out our post from Thursday morning about the teaser trailer; and not to be lost in all the flash and bang from the teaser trailer, take a moment to read the official Amazon Press Release at the bottom of the post, and note that when the show debuts on September 2, it will be an 8-part series. It’s still not clear if the episodes will drop all at once or one episode a week. Hopefully we’ll find out that answer during Amazon’s panel at San Diego Comic-con next week, so keep an eye out for our reports from the panel and exhibit hall floor throughout the week.
Since ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ area opened at Universal Studios Florida 12 years ago, rumors of a ‘Lord of the Rings’ themed land at either Universal or Walt Disney World have swirled around the internet. In 2010, shortly after the opening of ‘Wizarding World’, a guest survey was apparently sent out by Universal to gauge public interest in other themed lands. The survey went on to inquire about a potential Lord of the Rings themed ride or area:
“Imagine if you will a world unlike any you’ve ever visited before: it’s Middle Earth, the ancient and beautiful land forged by J.R.R. Tolkien as the backdrop for his two most well known creations, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Walk as a human among dwarves, elves, orcs and hobbits — all faithfully recreated and portrayed in the spirit of the original characters as they appeared in both the books and the movies. In this land you’ll experience one-of-a-kind rides and attractions that bring to life some of the most memorable experiences of Tolkien’s world including Bilbo’s hobbit hole, the fortress at Isengard (before it was destroyed) and even the dark world of Mordor — including the terrifying volcanic Mount Doom.”
Many websites (including, of course, TOR.n!) reported on these rumors, but there has been nothing to substantiate them. Some rumored concepts that have been floating around for the past few years included areas themed around Hobbiton and Rivendell, Middle-earth shops and dining, a boat ride, a ‘Fall of Gandalf’ flying ride (similar to the ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’ ride at Universal Studios), ‘Escape from Moria’, and a Mordor/Eye of Sauron dark ride.
Cut to 2019: Universal Studios Florida announces that they are creating a 4th theme park (along with Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay) called Epic Universe. Universal has not officially confirmed the new themed areas of this park yet, but the first phase opening (sometime in 2025) is heavily rumored to include areas tied to Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Monsters, and another Wizarding World area (possibly a Ministry of Magic dark ride).
Along with these potential areas, as well as a hotel, shopping and dining areas, are 2 large plots of land set aside for expansion of the park. One area, which is over 20 acres, is next to the proposed Wizarding World land, and it is thought that Universal is holding onto this area should they acquire another large IP (Intellectual Property), which The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit most definitely are!
The theme park fansite ScreamScape recently reported that their sources indicated the first planned expansion for Epic Universe will be to bring the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth to the park. Whether that would include The Hobbit and the upcoming Amazon tv show is not known. Since the park isn’t scheduled to open for another 3 years, an expansion is most likely 5-10 years away (at least).
At this time, Universal Studios does not have the rights to any Tolkien property. It is worth noting, however, that although the Tolkien Estate holds the rights to Professor Tolkien’s literary works, the movie, merchandise, and theme park rights belong to Middle-earth Enterprises. So it’s not impossible that Universal could buy the rights to design a land, as they did for the Harry Potter franchise. Again, we want to stress that this is all speculation and rumor – as of this writing there are no official plans for The Wizarding World of Middle-earth!
What do you think about a Middle-earth theme park area: “Yay!” or “No Way!”
At last, we have a full length trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Though Prime Video are still referring to this as a ‘teaser trailer’, the new footage runs 2 minutes 30 seconds long. And it is packed with good stuff, to pore over and to wonder about. Take a look:
So what do we see?
The trailer opens panning over stone profile, carved in rock. (This is a very strange profile, with a big nose and a bulky eyebrow – who is this supposed to be?) As we sweep over the carving, we see beyond a ship sailing between the cliffs, heading towards as city. This is presumably the Numenorean city with have seen before – perhaps Andúnië, as it’s a port and the home of Elendil. (See the EW article which came out yesterday, which sheds a LOT of light on all the glimpses of Numenor we see in this trailer.)
VO (Galadriel) ‘There was a time when the world was so young…’
A shot of Galadriel raising her eyes – it’s Morfydd Clark, of course, but this is a VERY Cate Blanchett moment. And as we see this, we hear a rising musical phrase which is definitely from Howard Shore (Rivendell theme).
VO (cont) ‘…there had not yet been a sunrise…’
Here’s the first teaser image we saw, with our short haired elf (Finrod?) walking up the hill – beyond we see a city (Tirion?) and in the distance, the two trees Laurelin and Telperion.
VO (cont) ‘But even then, there was light.’
Prime Video logo on black screen
Some beings – elves, possibly? they seem to be cloaked – seen from above, running across a landscape. (Looks like they are crossing one of New Zealand’s many braided rivers.)
SINGER ‘Come to me come to me…’
Elves in silver cloaks (the same from previous shot, maybe, now on a different part of their journey?) are seen crossing a snowy mountain top. As the camera sweeps beyond them, to the sky beyond, we see a bird flying. Looks BIG – eagle sized – but looks like a seagull. (But maybe that’s just me seeing things…)
SINGER ‘…land far away…’
The camera pans over and around our golden elvish realm – presumably Lindon?
VO from a Harfoot (‘country’ accent) ‘Elves have forests to protect…’
We are treated to an incredible shot inside Moria; what a stunning citadel!
VO (cont) ‘…dwarves their mines…’
Pan over men harvesting with scythes – looks like the south country we have seen before, where the healer Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) dwells.
VO (cont) ‘…men their fields of grain…’
Pan over what appears to be stalks of corn in a field; but it turns out to be headdresses worn by Harfoots. One turns in profile and puts a small musical pipe to her (his?) lips.
VO (cont) ‘But we Harfoots have each other…’
We see Harfoots amongst trees, dancing – some kind of ancient ritual. These are clearly nomadic, ancient ancestors of Hobbits, reflecting past pagan customs of Britain.
SINGER: ‘For I must now wander, this wandering day…’
Now we see the speaker of the VO – it appears to be Marigold Brandyfoot (Sara Zwangobani), who says, with a shrug, ‘We’re safe.’ [DRAMATIC IRONY!!]
Harfoot Nori watches meteor streak overhead and crash beyond the trees. Music becomes more urgent.
Text on screen: ‘Based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien’
Sweeping shot round waterfall on ice cliff – we’ve seen this ice cliff being scaled by Galadriel in previous teaser.
VO (Elrond): ‘You have fought long enough Galadriel…’
Galadriel is seen looking at another male elf, on the snowy mountain top. She does not look impressed; she slams her sword into the ice.
VO (cont): ‘Put up your sword…’
We see Elrond speaking urgently to Galadriel. Again, she doesn’t look impressed. Cut to elves fighting through the snow storm, bearing torches.
VO (Galadriel): ‘The Enemy is still out there…’
We see Galadriel talking to Elrond – ‘…the question now is where?’
Elves in an ice cave – in the foreground we see a hand on the rock of something watching them. Is this John Howe’s snow troll?
Camera pans over a city far below. Is this another settlement of Numenor? I’m not sure we’ve seen this place before… Possibly Romenna?
Elrond and Galadriel’s conversation goes on – E: ‘It is over.’ G:‘You have not seen what I have seen.’ E: ‘I have seen my share.’
Galadriel’s words become VO: ‘You have not seen…’
We see Galadriel in some fiery place – with bodies seemingly floating in fiery air (or are they under water?). It looks like some kind of purgatory. She looks seriously beaten up, and covered in ash. Is there a fiery body in the middle? Could this be Morgoth? Are we seeing the ‘tempest of fire’ at the end of War of Wrath?
VO (cont).‘…what I have seen’ – cut to Galadriel looking urgently at Elrond.
Text on screen: THIS SEPTEMBER (Music becomes more urgent again.)
Sweeping shots of our ship from the opening of this teaser, sailing into Numenor (poss Andúnië). (Maybe all these Numenorean city views are just the same city from different viewpoints…?)
Text on screen: THE LEGEND BEGINS
Lindon, with Gil-Galad and Elrond. Gil-galad says, ‘Darkness will march over the face of the earth…’
Overhead shot of orcs with flaming torches, marching along a bridge (looks like the march out of Minas Morgul in RotK).
VO (Gil-galad): ‘It will be the end not just of our people…’
Sweeping shot of seabirds circling over a ship.
Galadril in profile, in a pale shift dress, golden light – she looks up to her left. She appears to be on the ship, looking up at the birds, maybe?
Miriel of Numenor is seen walking through the city, and also looking up; something (ash?) seems to be falling on the city. Behind her, we see a solider with the golden sun which seems to be the emblem of Numenor – again, see the EW article. (Is this to indicate the descent of Numenor’s Kings from Finwe or Fingolfin? Amongst the heraldic devices Tolkien sketched, theirs are the closest to this sun image.)
VO (cont) ‘…but all peoples.’
Harfoots are seen, also staring up. This is the arrival of The Stranger (aka Meteor Man) – it clearly is not meant to be a good thing. Nori and her friend Poppy gape open-mouthed – fire sparks dance around them. We see a hazy Stranger – he appears to be controlling or manipulating the fire.
Elrond is seen being lead into Khazad-dum by dwarf guards. He stares around him at this incredible metropolis.
King Durin [first glimpse of him] is seen, saying, ‘I am sorry, but their time has come.’
We see Prince Durin cracking the stone – this is footage we have seen in the previous teaser.
Ice falling from that wall of ice the male elf is climbing.
Halbrand appears to be in some kind of throne room.
VO – leading to a shot where we see it is Arondir speaking: ‘The past is with us all.’
Arondir seems to be in an inn or something? (There is maybe a slaughtered pig hanging behind him?) He is looking quizzically at someone.
Charging horsemen – from Numenor.
VO (new voice): ‘The past is dead.’
Harfoots Nori and Poppy hugging.
Galadriel on raft in stormy ocean. She appears to be swept overboard.
Isildur on board ship.
VO (cont): ‘We either move forward…’
Two horses with riders – EW’s article reveals this is Galadriel and Elendil on Numenor’s coastline. They are racing over a beach towards a city (which looks like Mont St Michel in France – a Minas Tirith ancestor?). Close up on blue swirling robes of Galadriel.
VO (cont): ‘…or we die with it.’
Now we see the speaker – it is Elendil (Lloyd Owen). If he is in the same shot as where we saw Arondir earlier, there appears to be a third, seated, person to his right.
Crowd of Numenoreans are seen cheering someone who has raised arms. Switch POV – we see a bearded man in front of great doors to some kind of citadel, being acclaimed by the crowd. This is Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle).
Horseman with spear, galloping – he looks rustic and like a ranger compared with the men we just saw. (Is this Halbrand again?)
Prince Durin offering a gem to someone; he says, ‘This could be the beginning of a new era.’
Elves in armour drawing swords in Lindon.
Arondir is in some kind of pit, chained by the ankle. He leaps and spins – it’s a Legolas type stunt – and appears to be battling some kind of warg. Looks like a dead body (or at least someone unconcious) in the pit with him.
Snow troll attacking Galadriel and her crew in the ice cave.
Hand of The Stranger on rocks around him. Rocks and fire swirl in towards him – and for a fraction of a moment appear to make the shape of the Lidless Eye, before they disappear. Big clue as to who The Stranger might be…?
Feet of a Harfoot walk into shot on grass – this is Sadoc Burrows (Sir Lenny Henry). He carries a walking staff. Followed by Nori, Poppy, and other rustic Harfoots.
SINGER: ‘Away I must wander this wandering day…’
Text on Screen: THE LORD OF THE RINGS THE RINGS OF POWER [as logo]; New series Sept 2
Prime Video logo appears on blue background as music sweeps to a very drum-filled, Game of Thrones reminiscent crescendo and finale. END.
You can expect more discussion and speculation on this trailer soon, from TORn staff. Meanwhile, here’s what Prime Video say, in their official press release:
“THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER
NEW TEASER TRAILER RELEASED
THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EIGHT-PART SERIES WILL PREMIERE ON PRIME VIDEO ON 2 SEPTEMBER 2022
CULVER CITY, California—July 14, 2022—A second teaser trailer for the highly anticipated The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power television series from Amazon Studios was released today. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an epic and ambitious telling of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fabled Second Age of Middle-earth and launches globally on Prime Video on September 2, 2022.
The new two-minute, 30-second teaser trailer delves even deeper into this series adaptation, giving fans the first ever look at some of Tolkien’s legendary characters from the island kingdom of Númenor, that until this new series have never been seen on screen. The characters are Isildur (Maxim Baldry), Elendil (Lloyd Owen), Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), and Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). Additional Númenóreans also recently announced are Kemen (Leon Wadham) and Eärien (Ema Horvath).
The teaser trailer also highlights some of the realms viewers will visit over the course of the eight-part series, including the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes, the Sundering Seas, and the island kingdom of Númenór.
Also featured are key cast members Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), the Harfoots Marigold Brandyfoot (Sara Zwangobani), Elanor ‘Nori’Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh), Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards) and Sadoc Burrows (Sir Lenny Henry), The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), the Dwarves King Durin III (Peter Mullan) and Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur), Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), and Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova).
The multi-season drama will launch on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Friday, September 2, with new episodes available weekly.
About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and one of the greatest villains that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
The seriesis led by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay and stars a celebrated cast led by Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani.
Joining Payne & McKay are executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, J.A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado, as well as producers Ron Ames and Christopher Newman. Wayne Che Yip is co-executive producer and directs, along with J.A. Bayona and Charlotte Brändström.
Don’t forget, you can join the TORn Discord — and our ongoing discussions — here. There’s also a lively forum for Rings of Power analysis on our messageboards.
