Lord of the Rings open-world game may have found the perfect developer, depending on who you believe
“Someone else always has to carry on the story.”
It’s been the dream of many; an Elder Scrolls-like open world game set in Middle-Earth, yet it has never come to pass, but rumours flown in by the Great Eagles say that such a game (or games) might be in development, though the Lidless Eye cannot parse just who is what to up. The news first broke when Polish translator and journalist Ryszard ‘RYSŁAW’ Chojnowski said on the Tolkein Polska Podcast that he had heard a rumour some months back that Warhorse Studios, developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, were working on an unannounced Lord of the Rings game, as reported by Wccftech, and linked it back to a LotR game in development that Insider Gaming had previously revealed. Then, Insider Gaming reported that it is actually Crystal Dynamics, the developers behind Tomb Raider Catalyst and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, who are the ones working on the Lord of the Rings game with funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), alongside Embracer and Revenge. Insider Gaming goes on to say that Warhorse Studios “aren’t the studio working on this specific game”, but adds that “it’s possible they are also working on one”. So, are we getting two Lord of the Rings games, or not? Warhorse Studios would certainly fit the bill, as if you take KCD2 and replace the Cumans with Orks, add a few Hobbits and some Elves, you’re practically halfway to an excellent Lord of the Rings game as is. As spotted in the Gaming Leaks and Rumours subreddit, Warhorse Studios appears to be working on an Unreal Engine-based project based on job listings posted by the studio. Both Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 and 2 were made using Crytek’s CryEngine, and other job listings point to them sticking with the Crysis engine for a presumed Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3, so presumably, an Unreal Engine-based project would be something entirely new. It’s perhaps a bit of a stretch, but we could be looking at a case of Chojnowski crossing their wires and assuming the rumours he heard about Warhorse were linked to the ADIO-funded game, but he’s actually caught wind of something entirely different. There is no verifiable way of checking this at the moment, so this is all speculative, but the fact that Warhorse Studios appears to be working on multiple projects at once at least suggests something is afoot. Radio Times Gaming has reached out to both Warhorse Studios and Cystral Dynamics for comment, and will update you if we hear any more information regarding this story. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Tales of the Shire questions answered: Review scores, release time and more
Most Lord of the Rings games are all about the combat side of things. Tales of the Shire flips the script and lets you live out your Hobbit dreams instead. With the game's release now upon us, you may be wondering if it's worth trying out for yourself. To help you make that decision, we've put together all the info you need, like review scores, Game Pass info, gameplay details and more. When is the Tales of the Shire release date? Tales of the Shire launches on 29th July 2025. The game was officially announced back in 2023, and was slated for a 2024 release. This was later pushed back to a 2025 release, with the current release date confirmed at a later date. What is the UK launch time for Tales of the Shire? Tales of the Shire will officially launch at 5pm BST on 29th July, as has been confirmed by the game's official Twitter account. For comparison, here's how that release time translates into other time zones: West Coast US (PDT) – 9am East Coast US (EDT) – 12pm Central Europe (CEST) – 6pm East Coast Australia (AEST) – 2am 30th July New Zealand (NZST) – 4am 30th July Which platforms can play Tales of the Shire? Tales of the Shire launches on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Interestingly, although the game is launching more than a month after the Nintendo Switch 2's release, the game is launching with a Switch 1 version only. This means that, while the game is fully compatible with the Switch 2, the Switch version of the game has been developed with the Switch 1's weaker capabilities in mind. How good are the Tales of the Shire review scores? Not great, to put it bluntly. At the time of writing, Tales of the Shire has a Metacritic score of 60 from 15 critic reviews. It's similarly poor reading on OpenCritic, where the game has a top critic average of 64 from 24 critic reviews, with only 29 per cent of critics recommending the game. The reasons for these low reviews vary, but while many reviews credit the game's commitment to the lore of the LotR world, many also criticise shallow gameplay, a lack of content and poor performance. Is Tales of the Shire on Xbox Game Pass? Unfortunately, Tales of the Shire is not launching on Xbox Game Pass. While the game is coming to both Xbox consoles and PC, it has not been confirmed whether or not the game will be coming to Xbox's flagship subscription service. That being said, it certainly seems like the kind of game that would benefit from being on Game Pass, so we wouldn't be surprised to see it added to the service at some point in the future. View Green Video on the source website Tales of the Shire gameplay and story details Tales of the Shire is a life sim in which you live your life as a Hobbit in the quaint village of Bywater. Gameplay involves you managing your daily life, performing tasks such as gardening, fishing and collecting resources, as well as decorating your home. While there isn’t much story, players are able to explore the village and its surrounding areas, talking to NPCs and developing friendships, similar to games like Stardew Valley. Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cast – All voice actors and where you know them from
In the last few years, voice actors have well and truly become the celebs of the gaming world, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is capitalising on it. The first game from French studio Sandfall Interactive has a star-studded cast including some of the biggest names in gaming, and some pretty major film and TV stars too! Some characters show up quite late in the list of chapters, mind you. So, if you’re wondering who voices whom in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we’ve got the full cast list for you to check out. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cast – All voice actors View oEmbed on the source website Here is a list of all the main voice actors in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and their characters: Charlie Cox – Gustave Jennifer English – Maelle Ben Starr – Verso Kirsty Rider – Lune Shala Nyx – Sciel Andy Serkis – Renoir Rich Keeble – Monoco Maxence Cazorla – Esquie We spoke to Ben Starr and Jennifer English about the game, and you can see the interview in video form above! Where do you know the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cast from? Some of the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cast are perhaps more well-known than others, but for most of them, you’ll almost certainly recognise some of their work. Charlie Cox – Gustave English actor Charlie Cox takes on the role of Expedition 33 leader Gustave. These days, you probably know him best as Matt Murdock, or his alias, Daredevil. He’s also had some smaller roles in TV’s Kin and in Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything. Jennifer English – Maelle The first of our gaming royalty, Jennifer English takes on the role of smart-talking teenage expeditioner Maelle. Though she has lent her voice to games for many years now, her big break came as Latenna in Elden Ring. She would later, however, shoot to true stardom after voicing Shadowheart in Larian Studios’ tremendously successful Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023. Ben Starr – Verso Taking on the role of mysterious stranger Verso is another voice acting star(r) – Ben Starr! After some minor roles in TV shows like Jamestown, his gaming break came in 2023 when he voiced Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy 16. These days, you’re more likely to see him wearing a jester’s hat and a full face of makeup as Jimbo, the mascot from indie mega-hit Balatro. Kirsty Rider – Lune Playing the expedition’s resident scholar and mage, we have actress Kirsty Rider. After her first major role on children’s TV show Space Pirates in 2008, she went on to have minor roles in various series such as Call the Midwife and The Sandman. Her first video game role came in 2022, when she lent her voice to Kuroki in Sifu. Shala Nyx – Sciel The upbeat farmer-turned-expeditioner Sciel is voiced by Shala Nyx. Nyx is a prolific voice actor, featuring in Baldur’s Gate 3, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Diablo 4, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and many more. Outside of gaming, she’s featured in TV series such as Casualty, Corpse Talk and Untold. Andy Serkis – Renoir Andy Serkis, playing Renoir, is perhaps the most famous member of the Clair Obscur cast. He is undoubtedly best known for being the man behind Gollum from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series, but he’s had plenty of other roles, too. He’s been Alfred in The Batman, Caesar in the Planet of the Apes series and even Snoke in Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi. Some CV, right? View Green Video on the source website Rich Keeble – Monoco Playing the scholarly Gestral Monoco is actor Rich Keeble. Keeble’s deep voice lends itself pretty nicely to many characters, with the veteran actor taking on roles in Split Fiction, Wuthering Waves, New World: Aeternum and many more. Outside of gaming, he’s featured in TV series such as Kaos, The Change and Meet the Richardsons among others. Maxence Cazorla – Esquie Maxence Cazorla is a man of many talents. Not only does he voice the enigmatic Esquie, but he also provides the motion capture for Ben Starr’s character, Verso. He is perhaps the least well-known of the cast, especially for those of us from outside his home country of France. That being said, he has an extensive CV, acting in films like Instructions for a Living and the upcoming Stereo Crashers, as well as a host of short films and stage appearances. Read more on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave build - best weapons and skills How long is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - time to beat explained Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 attributes - which ones to level up first Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What The Rings of Power needs to do with Sauron in season 3
Casual viewers or readers of The Lord of the Rings may have never fully grasped the villainy of Sauron. In Peter Jackson’s movies, for instance, the Dark Lord is a threat, and a scary one at that, but not really much more than a giant eye in the sky. Most of the danger and the evil deeds come from other characters that obey his bidding throughout the films. In fact, what might make that antagonist so wicked is how he manages to corrupt everyone, and that’s something The Rings of Power absolutely understands. Over the course of the second season of the Prime Video series, viewers have finally been able to witness the power of the Great Deceiver. During his time at Celebrimbor’s side, under the guise of Annatar, Sauron has shown the vastness of his manipulation skills. From convincing the Lord of Eregion to forge more and more rings by gaslighting him, to persuading everyone around him that Celebrimbor is losing his mind and eventually torturing the poor Elf, Sauron has proved he doesn’t necessarily need to get his hands dirty to wreak havoc amongst the people of Middle-earth. So now that the Elves have suffered a huge blow because of him and the Dwarves are set on their own self-destructive path, where could Sauron turn his attention next? All signs are pointing toward Men, and especially the people of Númenor. Sure, he’s got another ring to forge, the One Ring that will eventually cause a lot of problems for a certain Fellowship, but he won’t need a full season to achieve that, especially when he has more gift-giving to do. Now that Sauron possesses the Nine, he needs to bring Men under his thumb. As the Elves lick their wounds and the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm decide to keep to themselves, Númenor is in prime position to be Sauron’s next target. Everything that happened in season 2 around that island is pointing toward its incoming downfall, and it seems like a slight push from Sauron is all that crumbling society needs to completely fall apart. War with the Elves is on the horizon, but the events of the season 2 finale seem to indicate Gil-galad and the others are going to need a minute to figure out their next steps. It would therefore not be surprising if while they regroup and get ready to wage war against Sauron in Mordor at some point in season 3, the Dark Lord busies himself forging the One Ring, and distributing the Nine to Men. Those who are well-versed in Tolkien’s lore know that it states that Númenorians will get mixed up in the fight against Sauron, and even manage to capture him. However, him being the master manipulator that we’ve come to know, things will not exactly go down well for Ar-Pharazôn and his followers. Sauron will undoubtedly prey on Pharazôn’s pride, his thirst for power, and his growing disdain of the Valar. Like Celebrimbor in season 2, Pharazôn will probably be manipulated by the Dark Lord and that will lead to the destruction of Númenor. It is crucial for the show to continue to show us Sauron’s true colours, to bring us to a point where it will be vital for all the characters we’ve met so far in this chapter of Middle-earth’s history, from Galadriel and Elrond to Isildur and Elendil, to team up against him. View Green Video on the source website Ultimately, The Rings of Power is taking us to the moment where Isildur will cut off the One Ring from Sauron’s hand, but for the audience to be truly satisfied when the time comes, the show needs to keep digging into what makes the Dark Lord such a great villain. So more manipulation and corruption please, more use of fear and force to try to "heal Middle-earth" and then we’ll be delighted to see that guy eventually reduced to being a giant eye in the sky. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Rings of Power season 2 is available to stream on Prime Video now – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is Adar in The Rings of Power and why was he recast?
Sauron gets his revenge in the season 2 finale.
*Warning: Spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8 ahead.* The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8 offered us one of the most brutal finales we've seen in a while, with plenty of our favourites being killed off – and, tragically, Sam Hazeldine's Adar was one of them. The character of Adar has been getting even more complicated throughout season 2, from sending his Orcs to wage war on Eregion (despite their doubts) to offering an alliance to Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), but the finale episode saw his demise in an emotional and poetic final moment that mirrored Sauron's death in season 2 episode 1. Speaking about Adar's tragic death in the season 2 finale, executive producer and director Charlotte Brändström told RadioTimes.com: "It was always planned that he was going to die but what I think what makes it very emotional is that he dies when he wants to do good. "He gives the ring back, he's ready to sacrifice himself, and he realises what he's done to his children, the Orcs, and that he is their father after all, and that they're going to fight Sauron together now." She added: "We give a little moment of hope and then we go in for the kill! We tried to mirror what happened to Sauron in the first scene with the stabbing and Sauron gets his revenge there." Introduced by Game of Thrones alum Joseph Mawle in season 1, the character became a fan-favourite for his nuance and mystery as he led a plan to conquer the Southlands once and for all. But eagle-eyed viewers will notice that Mawle was swapped out for Slow Horses actor Sam Hazeldine for season 2. Here, we break down exactly why the role of Adar was recast and give you all the background information on the character that you need. Who is Adar in The Rings of Power? Adar is one of the Moriondor – the very first Elves corrupted by Sauron's predecessor, the Dark Lord Morgoth. The word "Adar" comes from the Elvish language of Sindarin, meaning "Father", explaining that paternal bond he shares with the Orcs in his care. While some characters in the show assumed him to be Sauron, this suggestion angered Adar, building his resentment of Sauron. Adar was once Sauron's right-hand man but betrayed him after seeing his cruelty towards the orcs. During season 1 of The Rings of Power, Adar is on a mission to provide a home for his "children", free from the influence of Sauron - who he believed he killed years before the events of the series. Adar sought the mysterious Hilt that was then possessed by Bronwyn's son Theo, which would help him to achieve his plans. Adar is not seen until the end of the third episode, and even then is shown out of focus as we learn Arondir is being brought to him by the orcs. In the fourth episode, Arondir witnesses Adar hold a dying orc before ending its life. Adar also recalls his own life as an Elf. Arondir asks Adar why the orcs call him "Father", but Adar tells Arondir that he has been fed many lies throughout his life. Adar reveals that he is no god - not yet. He then frees Arondir to go to his old watch-tower with a message. When Arondir arrives at the watch-tower, he tells the human Bronwyn that Adar has offered the Southlanders the chance to swear fealty to him and follow him or he will destroy them. In the sixth episode, Adar's army attacked the watch-tower, but fell foul of a trap set by Arondir. In response, Adar's remaining orcs went on to launch an all-out assault on the Southlanders. Eventually, the third wave of orcs overwhelmed the Southlanders and threatening Bronwyn saw Theo give up the Hilt to Adar. When the forces of Numenor arrive to liberate the Southlands, Adar enacts his plan and hands of the mysterious Hilt we saw repeatedly throughout the season to Waldreg (Geoff Morrell), a human supporter of the forces of darkness. Waldreg plants the Hilt in an altar at the watch-tower, sparking a great flood that leads all the way down the various tunnels Adar and his children had created, flowing into a volcano and triggering a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. This marked the birth of Mordor, and the awakening of Mount Doom. In all of the chaos, Adar escaped his captivity at the hands of Galadriel and Halbrand - but not before the show planted a lot of seeds for future conflict between himself and Sauron. In season 2, we see a highly-rumoured storyline come to fruition - Galadriel and Adar's meeting, and a potential alliance between the pair. In episode 6, Adar presents Morgoth's crown to Galadriel, telling her he used its power to slay Sauron. Of course, Sauron returned - but Adar has a theory that the crown's power combined with the power of the three Elven rings could slay the villain once and for all. Of course, Galadriel has some major reservations about teaming up with Adar, but he urges her to look beyond her pride - and she does so. Agreeing to form an alliance with him, she tells him about Elrond's mission to free Celebrimbor from Sauron's grasp and says that together they can destroy Sauron. Adar says that she has revealed everything he hoped – including Sauron's identity - and reveals the terrifying extent of his army as they prepare to march on Eregion. Galadriel says Sauron has lured Adar's army and that he wants him to march on Eregion - but he refuses to believe it and has Galadriel taken away. As episode 6 ends, the Siege of Eregion begins with the Orcs raining fire on Eregion. Previously chatting to RadioTimes.com about the potential of an alliance between Adar and Galadriel, Hazeldine said: "We're looking at the options and seeing what we could do to counteract the threat of Sauron, for sure. We're not the best of friends so it's a careful balance we have to do to see if we can trust each other or not." However, in season 2 episode 7, it's made clear that an alliance is off the cards completely, with Adar imprisoning Galadriel and threatening to charge into battle with her head on a spike. Luckily, Elrond manages to free her, but something tells us there's unfinished business with this trio. In season 2 episode 8, Galadriel finally agrees to Adar's terms of an alliance but she's too late. Sauron has already taken back Adar's army of Orcs, and the creatures Adar knew as his children brutally kill him. How does Adar die in The Rings of Power? Season 2 episode 8 sees Adar killed by his Orcs, who he referred to as his children. During the episode, Sauron takes power of the Orc army back. One of the Orcs feigns an injury to get close to Adar, before stabbing him. In a brutal scene paralleling Sauron's death in the prologue of season 2 episode 1, the Orcs fully turn on Adar, stabbing him over and over again in sight of Galadriel. In his final moments, Adar still refers to them as his "children". Speaking to RadioTimes.com about Sauron getting his revenge on Adar, actor Charlie Vickers told RadioTimes.com: "There's vindication and it's an element of, 'I have killed you and now I have your children, your army,' and he can rule over them, whether it's fear or whatever - they're now his.' "He did it that way so that he could get what he needed which was an army and so he's left this season no longer alone. Adar's death scene mirrors Sauron's death scene in the opening and I think that's a really cool parallel." Who was Adar to Sauron in The Rings of Power? After Morgoth's defeat, Adar became a servant to Sauron and even became his right-hand man. While he initially served Sauron faithfully, he became displeased with Sauron's treatment of his "children" (the orcs) and lost faith in him. He eventually turned on Sauron and attempted to assassinate him. For years, Adar believed he had killed Sauron. Who plays Adar in The Rings of Power season 2? The mantle of Adar has been taken up by Sam Hazeldine for the second season, and likely the rest of the show’s run. Joseph Mawle stepped down from the role of Adar just after season 1 finished airing in December of 2022. Hazeldine has previously starred in Slow Horses, The Sandman and Peaky Blinders, to name but a few shows. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hazeldine discussed taking on the role of Adar from Mawle, saying, "I worked with him (Mawle) years ago. I think he’s a fantastic actor, and I really loved what he did in the first season. "So it was actually a pleasure to take the baton from him. Obviously we don’t look the same, but the character is instantly recognisable." Asked by ComicBook.com whether taking over the role was a challenge, he said: "No, it wasn't actually. It was honestly a pleasure." He added: "I think that's because it was such a rich character that's been created by the writers and by Joseph in season 1. And so, it was a real privilege to take on that character and see where the story takes him from there. So, I really enjoyed it. I just loved every part of it." Hazeldine also exclusively told RadioTimes.com of Adar's role in season 2: "Adar's work is kind of done at the end of the first season1. He's created Mordor and has a home for the orcs and that's kind of it until Sauron comes back and then it's like, 'We've got to do something about this.'" Why was Adar recast in The Rings of Power? Whenever a role in a major show is recast, there are naturally a lot of questions about the what and the why. In the case of Joseph Mawle and Adar though, the reasons were straightforward – he wanted to explore other career opportunities on-screen. Mawle took to X to explain his own decision to step away from the role. View oEmbed on the source website "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 best to cast and crew for S2, I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines." Since, Mawle has starred in Yellowstone spin-off 1923 as Captain Shipley, and Mary and George as Sir Walter Raleigh. Is The Rings of Power's Adar in JRR Tolkien's books? No. While most of the characters in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power are characters from Tolkien’s mythology, Adar is one of the few original characters created for the show. While the character remains an enigma as to his ultimate role, he does provide a humanising aspect to the orcs - something no other adaptation of Tolkien’s work has been able to accomplish. There was a lot of speculation during season 1 that Adar may be a disguise of Sauron himself, but the finale’s reveal of Halbrand’s true identity put those to rest. Other theories have questioned whether he is an adaptation of the Witch-king of Angmar, or one of the other Ringwraiths - but it seems unlikely, given their characters all being men is a central point of their fall to Sauron. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premieres on Thursday 29th August 2024 on Prime Video. Sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. Check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power? Theories on Ciarán Hinds's mysterious character
Rings of Power season 2 introduces a new enemy for The Stranger and the Harfoots to deal with.
*Warning: Spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2 episodes 1 to 8 ahead.* With The Rings of Power season 2's epic finale answering plenty of questions, one still remains - the identity of The Dark Wizard, played by Ciarán Hinds. We've learnt a fair bit about him throughout the season during his search for The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), but the finale episode didn't quite end that mystery once and for all. In season 2 episode 6, Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) tells The Stranger: "Sauron rises in the West, the Dark Wizard in the East. Every soul in Middle-earth is in danger." However, when the Dark Wizard finally approached The Stranger in the finale episode, he attempted to get him onside, suggesting their only way of defeating Sauron was together. When The Stranger said he'd rather walk nameless forever than become Sauron's successor alongside The Dark Wizard, the Istar turned and wrought havoc on the Harfoots, reasoning that The Stranger must feel the suffering that will come to Middle-earth if Sauron is not defeated. Sent down to Middle-earth by the Valar to counter the threat posed by Sauron, wizards — known as the Istari — are rare, making the appearance of one incredibly notable. That makes the identity of the Dark Wizard a complicated puzzle: which of the Istari, if any, is he? And if not an Istari, who else could the Dark Wizard really be? We wouldn't be surprised if he returns in a potential season 3 but, for now, here are the biggest theories. Who is the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power? Saruman? Based on all the evidence, the most likely scenario is that the Dark Wizard is Saruman. The most obvious clue is that Ciarán Hinds is delivering a first-rate Christopher Lee impression. Donned in white robes and equipped with a threatening staff, Hinds embodies his character with a voice like distant thunder, a sharp nose, heavy bags under his eyes, and black hair flecked with grey and white. There are subtler hints, too. He has a clear disdain for Hobbits — not quite the older Saruman’s outright contempt, but a visible lack of care and concern, nonetheless. And, crucially, Tolkien’s canon states that upon arriving in Middle-earth, Saruman travelled eastward into the lands of Rhûn and beyond prior to making Isengard, and Orthanc, his home. What Saruman did during his time in the East is unclear. View oEmbed on the source website These factors are immediately persuasive, and are arguably enough to set Saruman as the likeliest true identity of the Dark Wizard. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck. Still, there are some flaws with this theory. First of all, with his envy, lust for power, and arrogance, Saruman’s descent into evil might have been inevitable, but prior to the War of the Ring and his corruption, he was wise, mighty and benevolent. While cold and aloof, as the leader of the White Council (a group made up of Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond, Círdan and Gandalf), Saruman was a driving force for good in Middle-earth, helping to keep the threat of Sauron at bay for much of the Third Age. Conversely, the Dark Wizard is precisely as his name implies: unambiguously dark, callous, and malignant. The second mark against this theory is that the events of Rings of Power take place during Middle-earth’s Second Age, and Tolkien’s lore states that the Istari — the five wizards — arrived in the Third Age. But, in the end, while these are both decent arguments against the suggestion that the Dark Wizard is — or will become — Saruman, they’re not bulletproof. Rings of Power has demonstrated time and time again that it’s more than happy to contort Tolkien’s lore to suit the narrative. The fact that the Istari don’t come to Middle-earth until the Third Age is something that the show is already almost certainly going to ignore, given that The Stranger seems so likely to be Gandalf. Regarding the disparity between the Dark Wizard’s evil disposition and Saruman’s originally (but admittedly finite) good nature, Rings of Power loves to create backgrounds and origin stories where they’re previously left vague. Tolkien’s writing explicitly doesn’t state Saruman’s objectives and manner prior to his position as the leader of the wizards and the White Council. Therefore, it’s theoretically possible that he was originally evil, temporarily turned towards the forces of good, and then reverted to evil again to unite with Sauron. It might raise some eyebrows – and it redefines Saruman’s entire arc – but it isn’t an overt contradiction of lore. So, where does that leave us? Clearly, all the clues support the working assumption that the Dark Wizard is Saruman. But, this is Rings of Power, which loves to string out a mystery, and these clues could, in theory, be red herrings intended to trick the audience. A Blue Wizard? The Dark Wizard is, obviously, a wizard, and if he’s evidently neither Gandalf nor Radagast, and potentially not Saruman, that leaves only one option: he’s a Blue Wizard. The Blue Wizards are the most enigmatic of the Istari. The pair strayed from their task to defend against Sauron when they travelled to the East alongside Saruman. But unlike Saruman, they didn’t return. And that’s pretty much all we know about the two Blue Wizards. Otherwise, Tolkien left the lore surrounding the pair completely ambiguous. Nothing is known about their individual missions, their successes or failings, or their fate, aside from the fact that they help to demonstrate that Gandalf was the only Istari who stayed true to his purpose rather than straying completely into distraction and self-indulgence. Now, this lack of established lore would give Rings of Power ample opportunity to craft a story for a Blue Wizard without having to be concerned about the restrictions of Tolkien’s writing. Really, in this case, those restrictions are non-existent. The elephant in the room, of course, is a simple one. The Dark Wizard isn’t blue, and the Istari are heavily associated with their given colours. Saruman the White wore white, Gandalf the Grey wore grey, Radgast the Brown wore brown, and it therefore follows that the Blue Wizards wore blue. On the contrary, the Dark Wizard wears pale white robes, and his black staff is set with a red gemstone. Further, the Blue Wizards would in theory come as a duo, and the Dark Wizard seems to be a lone operator. Those flaws with the theory aren’t totally fundamental, but they do make this outcome less likely, at the very least. Khamûl? If the name Khamûl doesn’t ring any bells, don’t be alarmed. It’s not a name that many Tolkien fans will immediately recognise. Formerly an Easterling, Khamûl was given one of the nine Rings of Power gifted to mortal men, and therefore transformed into a Ringwraith. This makes him one of the nine Black Riders: Sauron’s most powerful and terrifying lieutenants. Not only that, but Khamûl was the Ringwraiths’ second-in-command, behind the Witch-king. Like the Dark Wizard, Khamûl is associated with the East, and most likely had a degree of innate darkness to him that Sauron sought to exploit with his magic rings. And, with Rings of Power’s emphasis on those titular rings, the Dark Wizard being Khamûl could help to tie various threads together as Sauron’s plan coalesces. Clearly, there’s one big hole here. The Dark Wizard is quite explicitly one of the Istari, while Khamûl was a mortal man, and most likely a king or warlord from the East: not an Istari. That alone essentially discounts this theory. Khamûl wasn’t a wizard, and the Dark Wizard is one. However, don’t completely reject the idea that Rings of Power might introduce Khamûl later down the line. An original character? It’s just about possible that the Dark Wizard is an entirely new character; a creation of the show’s imagination. Therefore, it’s currently impossible to entirely discount this option, despite the fact that it’s also extremely improbable. Unless Rings of Power is willing to create a sixth Istari — a major alteration to Tolkien’s canon — then it’s hard to see how the Dark Wizard could be a new character, or, really, any character other than Saruman. That said, Rings of Power has been keen to inject original characters and ideas into the story wherever it can, and it would certainly add some unpredictability to proceedings if the Dark Wizard ended up being none of the main suspects. How could the Dark Wizard be defeated? Thanks to Tom Bombadil, we now have some sense as to how the Dark Wizard could be defeated - using The Stranger and Secret Fire. Currently, not much is known about Secret Fire, other than it being a mysterious heavenly power in Eä and Arda. But we do know it's been giving The Stranger visions, including a terrifying premonition involving his Harfoot friend Nori. While The Stranger is desperate to save Nori from impending doom, Tom Bombadil tells him if he does that, he can't return to this path and that Middle-earth needs him. So, is it Nori or the whole world? View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is streaming on Prime Video. Sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. Check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is Estrid in The Rings of Power? Nia Towle character explained
Everything we know so far as The Rings of Power season 2 bows out.
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8.* The Rings of Power is no stranger to a red herring and clearly Estrid, played by Nia Towle, was a big one in season 2! First introduced as a woman who had lost her betrothed, suspicions were very much aroused when it was revealed that she was hiding the mark of Mordor on her back. However, that seemingly amounted to nothing, with the character becoming a love interest of Isildur (Maxim Baldry) – but the latest episode saw her left behind at the orders of actual menace, Kemen (Leon Wadham). Here's everything we know about Estrid. Who is Estrid in The Rings of Power season 2? Estrid is one of the wild men, and her identity is revealed when it's shown that she has the mark of Adar (Sam Hazeldine) on the back of her neck. She meets Isildur (Maxim Baldry) when she encounters him and stabs him in the leg after thinking he was an orc. It's established they're both looking for people – Isildur for his father and Estrid for her betrothed. They ride to Pelargir together and soon find an injured old man. Isildur offers him some bread, and it's quickly revealed it's an ambush. While Isildur and Estrid are outnumbered, Arondir appears, saving the day with his bow and arrow before leaving them to it to settle his own affairs. Later, Isildur and Estrid have a heart-to-heart, admitting they feel guilty for surviving when their beloved families haven't. Isildur admits that no one knows his mother died saving his life. Isildur is called away by Theo, leaving Estrid on her own. However, when Estrid is left on her own, we see that she has the mark of Adar branded onto her back. She places a flaming torch on it, screaming in pain. In episode 4, it's revealed that Estrid is one of the wild men, and she fights Arondir and Isildur. Arondir captures her and places her in manacles. During the episode, she's also reunited with her betrothed. However, she proves herself when she saves Arondir and Isildur, and Isildur decides to free her. As the season progresses, Isildur and Estrid get closer - but a spanner is thrown in the works when Estrid's betrothed comes back on the scene. However, in the season finale, Estrid reveals that she's not in love with him and, as Isildur is preparing to leave Pelargir, they share a kiss and he invites her to return to Numenor with him. But, as if Isildur hasn't been through enough, things are ruined for him once again when Kemen arrives. He informs Isildur that Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle) has usurped the throne and that his father, Elendil (Lloyd Owen), is wanted for treason. He denies Estrid passage on his ship back to Numenor, and Isildur is forced to leave without her. Clearly, there's also unfinished business between Estrid and her betrothed – as Isildur sails away from her, he sees her betrothed take her hand. Who plays Estrid in The Rings of Power season 2? Estrid is played by actress Nia Towle. While she's a relative newcomer, she appeared in the films Rocketman and Persuasion before taking on her role in The Rings of Power. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premiered on Thursday 29th August 2024 on Prime Video. Sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power? Rory Kinnear character explained
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Rings of Power season 2 episodes 1 to 6.* One of the most interesting developments for season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is the introduction of Tom Bombadil – a titanic figure in the mythos of Tolkien’s world, but one of mystery. It was announced earlier this year that the enigmatic figure of Bombadil would be brought to the screen, played by British actor Rory Kinnear, and now, in season 2 episode 6, we're learning more about him. Speaking about taking on the role of Tom Bombadil, Kinnear told RadioTimes.com: "It's great to have some source material to work with when you're creating a character. Quite often you're having to use your own imagination, right from that, from a blank page. "So actually, for some guidance to be given to you, and I was trying to put as much to one side, the idea of how beloved he was and how excited people might be for this first representation of him on screen. And just try to focus on how I connected to him and what he meant to me." But who is this mysterious character? What role does he play in Tolkien’s work? Where do you know Rory Kinnear from? Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Read on for everything you need to know about Tom Bombadil. Who is Tom Bombadil in The Rings of Power? A question that has puzzled readers of Tolkien’s great work since the pages first opened, and one with no clear answer. His origins are unknown, but what we do know about him is that he’s old. Really old. It's even suggested he might have been the first living creature in all of Arda (Earth). When describing himself in the novel, Bombadil says: "Eldest, that’s what I am… Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn… He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord (Morgoth) came from Outside." Elrond has a similar description, saying: "But I had forgotten Bombadil, if indeed this is still the same that walked the woods and hills long ago, and even then was older than the old. That was not then his name. Iarwain Ben-adar we called him, oldest and fatherless." While his origins are still debated among Tolkien fans, we do have slightly more knowledge about his abilities and how he interacts with the world around him. Being the oldest being in all of Arda obviously tells us that Tom Bombadil possesses the power of immortality. His singing is where his greatest power comes from, however, as he uses his voice to exert authority over both Old Man Willow, and later the Barrow-wights – both immensely powerful beings in their own right. Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Kinnear said he honed in on "the enigmatic nature" of the character. He added: "That sense of having seen everything and so whilst being aware of how important this interaction with The Stranger has the potential to be, he is also aware that should he choose a different path than the one he believes is the right one, that we will go back to beginning." Season 2 episode 4 introduced Tom Bombadil. The episode, which also saw Ents and Barrow-wights appear and followed The Stranger, played by Daniel Weyman, as he encountered Tom after being separated from Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards), saw Tom drop quite the bombshell on The Stranger – that his task is to face Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and the Dark Wizard (Ciaran Hinds) and save Middle-earth. In the latest instalment, season 2 episode 6, Tom Bombadil continues to teach The Stranger, this time telling him about Secret Fire, which gives The Stranger a terrifying premonition about his friend Nori. While The Stranger is desperate to go and rescue her, Tom Bombadil tells him that he has to choose one path - saving her, or saving all of Middle-earth from Sauron and the Dark Wizard. How old is Tom Bombadil in The Rings of Power? Tom Bombadil's exact age is unknown – although he seems to suggest he was the first creature in Middle-earth, or even in the world. In the book, he says he was "here before the river and the trees" and refers to himself as "eldest". Questions have been asked over the years about whether Tom is Middle-earth's god. Showrunners McKay and Payne recently addressed that question – but decided not to answer it. Payne said: "We would have no problem if that question was being asked. Because people say that about the character in the books." McKay added to The Hollywood Reporter: "And I think people asked that of Tolkien himself. Tolkien chose to remain silent on it and so shall we." Who is Tom Bombadil's wife? Tom Bombadil's wife is a river-spirit named Goldberry from Withywindle - and she is briefly heard in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 4. During the episode, The Stranger hears a woman's voice singing, although Tom dismisses his questions about anyone else being present. While Bombadil and Goldberry didn't appear in Peter Jackson's movies, the spirit is described as having flowing blonde hair. Who plays Tom Bombadil in The Rings of Power? Tom Bombadil is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power by English actor Rory Kinnear. Kinnear starred in four of the five Daniel Craig James Bond films as Tanner, M’s chief of staff, while also famously appearing in the first ever episode of Black Mirror as Prime Minister Michael Callow. Kinnear hasn’t done a lot of work in the fantasy genre before, but speaking to Radio Times magazine's Sarfraz Manzoor, he expressed a desire to try new things. "I like to do things I haven’t done before, from doing big action films to studio sitcoms, to television dramas to Shakespeare. But I’ve never done a fantasy thing before. I’ve never really understood it – it’s never been my bag." On what drew him to the character of Tom Bombadil, Kinnear told Radio Times, "He has a quite jovial positivity, but there is this notion that he has seen all of life and everything that has gone before – and in that way has a sense of everything that will happen in the future as well." What is Tom Bombadil's role in the Lord of the Rings books? Frodo and the other Hobbits of the story encounter Bombadil upon leaving The Shire, after getting in a pickle with Old Man Willow – a malevolent tree spirit. Frodo searches for help, finding Bombadil, who commands the tree to release its prisoners, before inviting the group to stay at his house for a night or two. During this stay, which takes place on an almost dreamlike quality, Frodo inadvertently tells Bombadil all about the One Ring he carries, and his quest to get it to Rivendell. Asking to inspect the One Ring, Frodo gives it over without any reluctance, something he had previously shown to any other people prying about his possession of it. From there, Bombadil actually puts the One Ring on, but it has no effect on him whatsoever, further confusing both Frodo and readers. He also tells Frodo that when the Hobbit does wear the Ring, its power of invisibility doesn’t hide him from Bombadil’s eyes. Why isn't Tom Bombadil in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films? Originally considered for a cameo appearance, Jackson decided to not pursue a role for the character in his films. His justification for the omission was that Bombadil doesn't have a major impact on the wider storyline being told, and his introduction and development would hinder the films rather than help them. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Rings of Power season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Rings of Power is defined by its relationships – that's what sets it apart
Prime Video's Lord of the Rings series puts characters and their connections at the forefront, in contrast to other fantasy TV.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power can be defined in a lot of ways: its commitment to expanding and exploring Tolkien's Middle-earth; the gargantuan budget which allows for some of the most gorgeous vistas on television; the action set-pieces that never fall short of outstanding, whether it be Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) sparring with some Númenóreans, or Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) firing off more arrows than you can shake a stick at. But in so many other ways, these characteristics of Amazon Prime Video's hit show are secondary to what really makes The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power tick – its commitment to developing complex, nuanced relationships between its characters. Credit for this is shared, belonging to showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay for bringing their ultimate vision of Tolkien's Second Age to life; belonging to the team of writers and the directors who work on the series, each bringing a unique sense of flair to the show's dynamic; and of course, belonging to the cast who bring Tolkien's (and the show's) creations to life. So much of season 1 revolved around the relationship between Charlie Vickers's Halbrand and Morfydd Clark's Galadriel, eschewing a barrage of constant action in favour of developing their connection. There was plenty of pushback over the pacing behind that story, but it's hard to not look at it as a show that simply knows exactly what it wants to be. Clark and Vickers's chemistry is a defining feature of the show, with fans shipping 'Haladriel' in the two-year gap between seasons 1 and 2 – but it's the connection between their characters that makes it all the more special. Her culpability in Sauron's return. His genuine desire to rule Middle-earth with Galadriel beside him. It's quintessentially Tolkienian, and one of countless connections in The Rings of Power that makes it must-see TV. Season 2 has furthered Sauron's relationships with other characters though, and in doing so, entrenched its own commitment to being a different kind of fantasy show – focusing on those connections with a focused pace instead of charging through the story, leaving the audience feeling a lack of connection to so many of the characters. Whereas season 1 paired Vickers's Dark Lord with Galadriel, season 2 has evolved his character into his Annatar form, pairing him up with Charles Edwards's wonderful Celebrimbor. Their delicate dance of manipulation, deception and just a touch of one-sided desire is as heartbreaking to watch as it is beautiful, while never being anything less than magnetic for the viewer. But away from the central antagonist of The Rings of Power, these connections blossom across every story arc. Elendil and Míriel's tender affection and his desire to keep her safe is something we've watched slowly build, elevated by Lloyd Owen and Cynthia Addai-Robinson's palpable chemistry. Owain Arthur and Sophia Nomvete continue to delight as Durin and Disa, bringing so much warmth to their scenes together in the depths of Khazad-dûm. Even the love affairs of Arondir and Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi) in season 1, and the ongoing back and forth between Isildur (Maxim Baldry) and Estrid (Nia Towle), both feel organic to the story in a way that elevates each and every scene. It stands in stark contrast to other fantasy shows, namely House of the Dragon – the hugely successful spin-off to Game of Thrones. Both The Rings of Power and House of the Dragon are exceptional shows, but crucially, they define themselves in different ways. House of the Dragon, much like its predecessor, is a show defined by its grander moments. While the interpersonal connections work to varying degrees, you always get the sense the show is waiting to unleash its next blast of dragonfire, or another battle sequence. View Green Video on the source website The Rings of Power can deliver those action sequences, as we saw with the battle in the Southlands in season 1, and as we will undoubtedly see with the Siege of Eregion in the coming weeks of television. But it never feels like that's what Payne and McKay want The Rings of Power to be remembered for. Their slow pace, their deep love and affection for Tolkien's world and words, and their commitment to establishing a large ensemble cast, populated by characters who share meaningful relationships together – relationships that stay with you long after the credits roll – feels like the worthier goal. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 releases new episodes on Prime Video weekly on Thursdays – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What are Barrow-wights in The Rings of Power?
Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Rings of Power season 2 episode 4. As we get into the heart of The Rings of Power season 2, new terrors await us - and this time around, it's the Barrow-wights! As Elrond (Robert Aramayo), Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and their party venture forth, they encounter the terrifying creatures and are forced to fight. Here's everything we know about the Barrow-wights! What are Barrow-wights in The Rings of Power? Barrow-wights are shape-shifting undead beings. When Galadriel and her party encounter the Barrow-wights and attack them, it's clear they're impervious to their weapons. However, Elrond soon saves the day when he gives Galadriel a blade that vanishes the creatures. He says: "According to lore, only the blade with which they were buried will return such creatures to rest - something has awoken them." The problem is, they don't know what's causing it. Galadriel asserts that it's "someone awakening evil across all Middle-earth". In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo and his party encounter the creatures and narrowly escape with their lives. They were saved by Tom Bombadil, who banished the wights with a song. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Who plays the Barrow-wights in The Rings of Power? The Barrow-wights are played by various actors, including some with other roles in the show! Bridie Sisson (who also plays The Dweller) Kaner Scott Robert Strange Thomas Gilbey Arthur Griffiths The Rings of Power season 2 will launch on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Ian McKellen hints he'll play Gandalf again in new Lord of the Rings film
Andy Serkis is currently developing a Gollum-centric entry in the franchise.
Sir Ian McKellen has expressed his interest in returning as Gandalf in an upcoming Lord of the Rings film, quashing speculation that he could retire following a recent on-stage injury. The celebrated actor, now 85 years old, portrayed Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies, both directed by New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson. Jackson is serving as producer on an upcoming spin-off film, which will be directed by Andy Serkis and focus on his fan-favourite character Gollum, who will once again be created in collaboration with visual effects house Wētā Workshop. McKellen told The Big Issue earlier this week that he has been told "Gandalf will be involved", and that the creative team "hope that I'll be playing him" in The Hunt for Gollum, which is due for release in cinemas in 2026. This morning, during an appearance on BBC Breakfast, he voiced his enthusiasm for the idea: "I'm not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it." There was much concern for the thespian following his highly publicised fall off the stage during a performance of Player Kings, a reimagining of Shakespeare's Henry IV: Parts 1 and 2, at London's Noël Coward Theatre this summer. The incident resulted in wrist and neck injuries as well as great emotional distress, but McKellen insisted that his break from acting will only last until the end of the year, with no retirement plans to speak of yet. He added: "I shall just keep at it as long as the legs and the lungs and the mind keep working." Warner Bros announced The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum in May of this year, confirming the involvement of Serkis as both director and lead actor. In a later interview with Deadline, the experienced motion-capture performer was asked whether any of his co-stars from the original trilogy – such as McKellen – could feature in the project. "I don’t want to commit anything right now," he responded. "I mean, because it’s so raw... We are just literally having very early state script discussions and ideas of exactly where and how we’re going to drop anchor with the character and his journey. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is headed to cinemas in 2026. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Rings of Power season 1 recap: What happened in first season?
Catch up on the events of the first season while as the epic series returns.
After a sprawling and ambitious debut, Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has returned for its second season, continuing the story of Sauron’s rise in Middle-earth before his eventual fall. Set in the Second Age (thousands of years before the War of the Ring and Bilbo and Frodo’s adventures), The Rings of Power focuses on Sauron’s ascent to power, exploring figures and events that shaped the history of Middle-earth. Weaving together a story of Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, Númenóreans, Istari and Orcs, the first season featured an expansive narrative filled with mystery, action, and awe, all against a familiar Tolkienian backdrop. With The Rings of Power season 2’s arrival, the story has already started to unravel new mysteries, exploring fresh parts of Middle-earth and will introduce long-awaited characters – such as Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) – to the tale. But, amid the excitement of a new season approaching, it feels like it’s been an eternity since the show made its debut. Who was Sauron? Who was the Stranger? And what was the significance of the mithril? If you need a refresher ahead of Rings of Power’s return, here’s a full recap of the first season. Alternatively, check out our review of season 2! Rings of Power season 1 recap: What happened in first season? Galadriel, Halbrand and the Númenoreans The first season begins with Galadriel, a renowned Elven warrior, on a quest for vengeance. During the Elves’ battle against the malevolent Morgoth, her brother Finrod was killed by the elusive and powerful Sauron, and Galadriel remains convinced that Sauron still poses a threat to Middle-earth despite Morgoth’s defeat. Driven both by a desire to avenge her brother, but also to snuff out the threat she (correctly) believes that Sauron continues to pose to Middle-earth, Galadriel leads an expedition to find Sauron. However, her mission to hunt down Sauron reaches a dead end. With no further leads, the Elven King Gil-galad orders her to return to the Elven homeland of Valinor. However, Galadriel is far from ready to give up her quest. In a moment of defiance, she leaps from the ship bound for Valinor, choosing to swim back to Middle-earth. Her life is saved by a ragged mortal man named Halbrand, and together, on his raft, they are carried by the currents to the island kingdom of Númenor, ruled by Queen Míriel. In Númenor, Galadriel continues her search for Sauron, discovering that the Southlands in the southeast of Middle-earth may be central to his plans. She convinces Queen Míriel to send an army to aid the Southlands, where a great battle looms. The Númenórean forces, led by General Elendil and his son Isildur, set sail for Middle-earth. Meanwhile, the relationship between Galadriel and Halbrand shifts and twists. Galadriel is drawn to the mystery of Halbrand’s background and his charisma. Similarly, Halbrand is enamoured by Galadriel’s sense of purpose. This friction – with the potential to turn romantic – both pulls them closer and pushes them apart as each discovers the complexities within the other. They too sail across to Middle-earth with the Númenorean forces to defend the Southlands. Bronwyn, Theo and Arondir The Southlands and its inhabitants are central to the story of the first season of Rings of Power, not least because they serve as the magnet that draws the disparate plot lines together as the story evolves. The region’s inhabitants were once aligned with Morgoth, and after his defeat, a detachment of Elves, including Arondir, was stationed there to monitor the population. But while the other Elves grow complacent, the watchful Arondir notices signs of a resurgence of evil. While investigating, Arondir is captured by Orcs, now led by a figure named Adar, and forced to work on an expansive underground tunnel system. The Orcs use these tunnels to launch attacks across the Southlands, including on Bronwyn’s village, where she lives with her son Theo. Bronwyn rallies the villagers to abandon their homes and take refuge in a nearby abandoned fort. As they flee, Theo discovers a broken hilt of an ancient sword and takes it with him. The season’s central battle unfolds as Adar’s forces besiege the fort. The Southlanders manage to hold out until Galadriel, Halbrand and the Númenóreans arrive, defeating Adar’s army. However, Adar’s true objective is achieved: the hilt Theo found is a key, which, when activated, unleashes a chain of events that culminates in the eruption of a dormant volcano. The ensuing eruption transforms the Southlands into a volcanic wasteland of darkness, ash and fire: it becomes Mordor, Sauron’s great stronghold, with Mount Doom at its heart. All the key players survive the eruption, though Isildur is left missing, presumed dead. Bronwyn’s folk leave to establish new lands (presumably what will become Gondor), while the remaining Númenóreans return home, albeit with a vow to return to help continue the fight against Sauron in Middle-earth. While Bronwyn survived the eruption, the first episodes of season 2 reveal that she actually died off-screen. During episode 2, Arondir reveals: "I failed to stop Adar, I failed to protect her. I thought she was getting better. There is a foulness in Orc arrows not easily forgotten by human flesh." This is down to actress Nazanin Boniadi exiting the show due to personal reasons. In the aftermath of the eruption, Galadriel brings the gravely injured Halbrand to the Elven city of Lindon, where she realises, to her horror, that he is the enemy she’s been hunting for so long: Sauron, in the guise of a man. Galadriel rejects Sauron’s proposal to join him as his queen, and he escapes from Lindon to Mordor, while she plots her next steps to defeat him, reeling from the betrayal, but vindicated. Elrond, Prince Durin and the Mithril Rings of Power’s first season showed that Middle-earth’s greatest bromance, that of Legolas and Gimli, was preceded by an equally unconventional relationship: Elrond and Durin IV. However, as the season begins, the friendship between Elrond and the Dwarven prince of Khazad-dûm has been fractured by time. The two haven’t seen each other for 20 years: the blink of an eye to the eternal Elrond, but a long and eventful eternity to Durin. Knowing that the Elves need the Dwarves’ help to construct a great forge, Elrond seeks to mend the damaged friendship, requiring humility and patience (and, the assistance of Durin’s wife Disa). However, it’s Durin’s father, King Durin III, who ultimately needs convincing to help the Elves. Unbeknown to the Elves, King Durin’s Dwarves have discovered a precious resource deep within the mines of Moria: mithril. This rare ore is a substance that has the power to restore the Elves’ fading magical light, and therefore preserve Elven influence over Middle-earth. So, King Gil-Galad tasks Elrond with manipulating the Dwarves to access the precious material. Though King Durin refuses to bend to Elrond’s requests, Prince Durin does share a small thumb-sized piece of mithril with Elrond, who takes it back to Lindon for study, giving it to Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor The Elven smith Celebrimbor becomes a key figure as the season nears its end. Tasked with forging a crown for Gil-galad from the mithril, he instead, with guidance from Halbrand and encouragement from Galadriel, creates three rings. These rings are intended to preserve the power of the mithril and are worn by Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor himself. The Harfoots and The Stranger <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2022/08/RPAZS1200219ROTBEN00188R1-795533f.jpg" width="3000" height="2000" alt="Megan Richards as Poppy Proudfellow, Markella Kavenagh as Elanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" title="Megan Richards as Poppy Proudfellow, Markella Kavenagh as Elanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" /> The Harfoots, an ancestral branch of The Shire’s Hobbits (in a time long before The Shire ever existed) are a nomadic people subsisting through foraging and moving from one lush place to another: it’s a peaceful and simple, albeit tough, existence. Their peace is punctured when a blazing ball of fire streaks through the nearby night sky, crashing to the ground to create a circle of flame. Nori, a curious young Harfoot, investigates the crash site and discovers a disorientated man at the centre of the fire. This Stranger, as he becomes known, possesses mysterious and powerful abilities, and Nori takes it upon herself to care for him, hiding him from the rest of the Harfoots. As the Stranger slowly regains his unfathomable magical powers he leaves the Harfoots, only for Nori to realise he’s being tracked down by mysterious agents of evil. Speeding to warn him, Nori catches up with the Stranger as he’s under attack by this mysterious white-robed trio, leading to a dangerous battle where he gains control over his magic to defeat them. But, the Stranger and the Harfoots can’t co-exist: he attracts a danger they aren’t equipped to deal with. Feeling a pull to the east, the Stranger prepares to leave, and Nori, eager for adventure, joins him. Together, they head to the eastern lands of Rhûn, as he tells her to “always follow your nose”. His connections to Hobbits, his links to fire, his power over magic, and many other small details, all point to the idea that the Stranger isn’t so unknown after, but may actually be... Gandalf. The board is set for Rings of Power season 2 With the titular Rings of Power now forged and Sauron unmasked, the second season of the fantasy series is poised to establish further sweeping action and drama across Middle-earth and the prospect of many more mysteries. How will Sauron manipulate the creation of the One Ring? Will Galadriel continue her hunt for him, or reconsolidate with the Elves? What will the Stranger find in Rhûn? Expect more battles and more twists as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Read more on The Rings of Power: Rings of Power bosses tease 'most ambitious battle in TV history' in season 2 How to watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies in order What is the Second Age of Middle-earth? Rings of Power timeline explained The Rings of Power season 2 will launch on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is Pharazôn in The Rings of Power? Trystan Gravelle character explained
This article will contain potential spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and for the works of JRR Tolkien One of the most notable changes in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power centres around Pharazôn, who so far cuts a remarkably different figure in the show than to how he is portrayed in Tolkien’s original work. While the differences exist, we’re here to lay out his story as it’s written in the books, what he got up to in season 1, and the actor behind the character. Read on for everything you need to know. What was Pharazôn doing in season 1 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? There’s some fairly significant changes to the character’s backstory from page to screen beyond the major timeline differential. Instead of being a strong military leader, and like much of Númenórean society, a regular seafarer, The Rings of Power depicts Pharazôn as the chancellor of Númenor, a cunning political figure, and the right-hand-man of Queen Regent Tar-Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). The show’s depiction of Pharazôn also differs when it comes to his own family, as the show’s version possesses a son of his own, Kemen (Leon Wadham), in stark contrast to the childless figure of Tolkien lore. Pharazôn cuts a fascinating figure throughout the first season of The Rings of Power, in part because he isn’t at the front and centre, instead working different angles, all the while keeping his true motivations and agenda hidden from those around him, and from the viewers. We first meet him in the third episode, titled Adar, when Galadriel and Halbrand are presented to Queen Regent Míriel’s court in Armenelos - the capital city of Númenor. While supporting the wishes of his regent in sailing with Galadriel to aid the people of the Southlands, Pharazôn continues his own agenda of amassing more and more power for Númenor. He reaffirms his position to the anti-Elvish guildworkers on Númenor in populist, pro-human speech - all with a clear veneer of gathering support should any power struggle arise. That power struggle seems like it will play out in season 2, as season 1 closed out its Númenórean arc with the death of Míriel’s father, Tar-Palantir, the king of Númenor. Who is Pharazôn in Tolkien's original work? Sentiment varies on Pharazôn within the Tolkien fandom, with some fans viewing him as a figure of utmost tragedy, and others seeing him as a tyrant whose pride brought about the fall of his people and the destruction of his realm. Born to Gimilkhâd, the leader of the King’s Men faction - the pro-human faction in Númenor opposed to friendly relationships with the Elves - Pharazôn grew to share the traits and ideas of his father. A man who coveted glory and wealth, Pharazôn would venture out to war repeatedly with similar-minded Númenóreans, with the hope of conquering the western coasts of Middle-earth and the men who occupied them. In a major difference from the show to the books, when Tar-Palantir, the king of Númenor dies, Pharazôn weds Tar-Míriel against her will, and against the customs of Númenor - therefore seizing the throne for himself. In his new role as king of Númenor, Pharazôn is eventually manipulated into marching on Mordor and Sauron, who feeds his pride and his ego, eventually positioning himself as one of Pharazôn’s closest advisors. Sauron corrupts Pharazôn and many Númenóreans under his influence into worshipping the Dark Lord Morgoth, promising eternal life in return. This leads to the building of the Temple of Morgoth, as well as the burning of the White Tree of Númenor, along with brutal sacrifices of non-believers and members of the Faithful - a group of Númenóreans who support friendly relationships with the Elves. Sauron eventually convinces Pharazôn to launch an attack on Valinor. This led to the Valar calling upon Eru (essentially, God) - who in turn sank Pharazôn’s fleet and all of Númenor in an event known as the Changing of the World. Who plays the character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Pharazôn is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power by Welsh actor Trystan Gravelle. Gravelle has appeared on shows such as A Discovery of Witches, The Terror, and 2023’s Great Expectations. In a 2022 interview with ScreenRant, Gravelle spoke about taking on a role in Tolkien’s iconic world, saying, "My introduction to Tolkien was in 2001, The Fellowship of the Ring film with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. "Saw that, then I read The Hobbit book, then I saw all three films by the end of it when they came out, read the books, Lord of the Rings, and then saw The Hobbit film. "So yes, I approached this as a fan." View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Rings of Power season 2 launches on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who is Celebrimbor in The Rings of Power? Charles Edwards character explained
As The Rings of Power season 2 gets set to hit our screens once more, the trailers have made it pretty clear what we’re in for. High-stakes drama, scale-defying battle sequences, jaw-dropping visuals and, naturally, a lot of rings. Those rings will come from talented hands of Elven smith Celebrimbor - one of Middle-earth’s most important and influential figures. At the end of season 1, Celebrimbor crafted the first of the titular Rings of Power - Nenya, Narya and Vilya - free from Sauron’s influence, with the hope of halting the passage of time for the Elves in Middle-earth, and keeping their fading light shining bright. The trailers for season 2, however, show that Celebrimbor looks to be an even more central figure in this upcoming season - tied up with Annatar (Sauron in disguise) as he looks to craft more and more Rings of Power. But who is Celebrimbor? What are his aims? Who is the man behind the character? We’re here at RadioTimes.com to answer those questions for you. Minor spoilers ahead. Who is Celebrimbor in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Like many of the characters in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, our on-screen Celebrimbor is tweaked slightly from his iteration in Tolkien’s original work - older and possessing an incredible amount of experience, as well as the title Lord of Eregion. Celebrimbor, in both the show and the books, comes from a long line of Elvish smiths - most notably Fëanor, the greatest of them all. Fëanor crafted the Silmarils, three gems created using the essence of the two trees of Valinor. The Silmarils are seen as the greatest creation of the Elves, so it’s fair to say that Celebrimbor has quite the legacy to live up to - something which his character emphasises to Elrond in season 1. What will Celebrimbor be doing in season 2 of The Rings of Power? We know that Sauron will return to Eregion in the guise of Annatar, an emissary of the Valar, there to instruct the smiths of Eregion, particularly Celebrimbor, in the art of ring-making. But, as the trailers make it plain, Celebrimbor’s manipulation by Sauron won’t go all that well for him, as his usual austere and dignified appearance fractures under the weight of his actions, and the pressure placed on him by the Dark Lord. Based on knowledge of the Second Age, evidence in the trailer, and a track name on the now released score for season 2 by composer Bear McCreary, the Siege of Eregion is just around the corner. Celebrimbor will be in the thick of that action, and looks to be a major player in season 2. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website What is his relationship to Sauron? At the end of season 1, we saw the seeds of a fascinating dynamic between Celebrimbor and Sauron, at that time in the disguise of Halbrand. In part, it’s down to an incredible chemistry between Charles Edwards and Charlie Vickers, as anyone who’s seen them together on the season 2 press tour can attest to. Mainly, though, it’s down to the fascinating complexity of Celebrimbor’s character and state of mind, and the will and awareness of Sauron to manipulate that. Given his family legacy, and the current plight the Elves are Middle-earth are faced with, Halbrand/Annatar/Sauron will offer him a chance to stand above even his legendary grandfather, Fëanor, as a genuine saviour of the Elvish race. Speaking to The Telegraph, actor Edwards touched on the dynamic between his character and the one brought to life by Vickers. "Celebrimbor wants to do good, but he also wants to be famous and remembered. He’s vain, and susceptible to Sauron’s predatory suggestion. There’s a lot of mind games going on, a lot of gaslighting." Who plays Celebrimbor in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Celebrimbor is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power by English actor Charles Edwards. Edwards has had a lengthy career both on screen and on stage, featuring in shows like Downton Abbey, The Crown and Colditz, while also appearing on stage in plays such as Best of Enemies - where his turn as Gore Vidal earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Laurence Olivier Awards. Before Edwards's casting, Celebrimbor was initially pictured by a lot of fans as a classical Elf from fantasy - imagine Legolas at a forge, essentially. Edwards wanted to push back on that. Speaking to The Telegraph, Edwards described how fans viewed his character initially as a "hunk with a hammer", before going on to say, "When I first read that on the threads I thought, 'Hmm… That’s probably not how I’m going to play him.'" The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premieres on Thursday 29th August 2024 on Prime Video. Sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. Check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What are the Rings of Power and what do they do?
This article will contain potential spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and for the works of JRR Tolkien. If the name The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power wasn’t enough of a giveaway, the core thrust of Amazon Prime Video’s dive into JRR Tolkien’s world concerns the most powerful fashion accessories in all of literature. If you remember Cate Blanchett’s iconic introduction to The Fellowship of the Ring, Rings of Power were divided up between the three main societies of Middle-earth. Three to the Elves, seven to the Dwarves, and nine to mortal men. They were crafted by the Elven smiths of Eregion, led by Celebrimbor, all at the urging and encouragement of Annatar, one of Sauron’s many devious disguises. While the Rings of Power given over to the Dwarves and to men will certainly be explored in season 2 of the hit show, it’s the three rings of the Elves that we have concrete knowledge about - their names, their powers, and so on. Those rings are Nenya, Narya and Vilya. But what are they and what do they do? Nenya Other times known as the Ring of Water or the Ring of Adamant, Nenya is the ring worn by Lady Galadriel. Forged by Celebrimbor at the end of season 1, and free from Sauron’s influence, Nenya is maybe the purest source of power in all of Middle-earth. Crafted from mithril and inlaid with a diamond-like stone, Nenya is so radiant that non-ring-bearers actually can’t perceive it in Tolkien’s original work. Samwise Gamgee describes the sight as "a star through her fingers", whereas Frodo can perceive Nenya clearly, on account of being a ring bearer himself. Its power allows the wearer to preserve and protect their people, and conceal them from evil. Much later in her life, when Galadriel takes up residence in the forests of Lothlórien, that concealment will be vital to maintaining the safety of her people as Sauron’s power grows and grows. Unlike the two other Elvish Rings of Power, Nenya is only ever wielded by Galadriel. Narya The Red Ring, or the Ring of Fire, is a striking opposite to Galadriel’s Nenya. A gold-like metal, inlaid with a bright ruby, Narya granted the wearer the ability to resist tyranny and despair, the ability to inspire hope in others, and the ability to resist the weariness of time. Much like Nenya, we saw Narya being crafted at the end of season 1 of The Rings of Power, but we haven’t actually met their ring-bearer yet. Ben Daniels (The Crown, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) will be joining the cast for season 2 as Círdan the Shipwright, Lord of the Grey Havens - a wise and clairvoyant Elf, and one of the oldest in all of Middle-earth. Much later in the story, Círdan will surrender Narya to Gandalf, when the Elf recognises the worth of everyone’s favourite wizard. Vilya The strongest and most powerful of the three Elven rings, Vilya is also known as the Ring of Air, the Blue Ring, even the Dominant Ring. Crafted with Nenya and Narya, Vilya is gold-coloured and inlaid with a sapphire. There’s actually little known about the powers Vilya prescribes to its bearer, although we can speculate. Healing and preservation are a major part of the other two Elven rings, so it’s safe to assume they are a key part of Vilya’s power. First being worn by the High King Gil-galad, Vilya will pass to Elrond, and the latters gift of foresight as demonstrated in both Tolkien’s original work and the Peter Jackson film series suggests another power to the ring. All three of the Elvish rings had some detrimental effects on their wearers, although not nearly as devastating as the ones inflicted on both the Dwarves and the men. The rings were crafted, in essence, to try and halt the passage of time for the Elves and their fading light in Middle-earth - leading to a sense of procrastination and an overall slowdown in their action. When compared to the Seven and the Nine, though, this seems like a fair trade-off. Little is known about the specifics of the other 16 Rings of Power. The seven given to the Dwarves allowed them to gain more and more wealth, but in doing so, fuelled their greed and their anger to no end. The Nine granted mortal men power and extended life, but over time corrupted and enslaved them into the creatures we know as the Nazgûl - or Ringwraiths, if you prefer. Bent to Sauron’s will and fading to a permanent state of invisibility over time. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Rings of Power season 2 launches on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What is the Second Age of Middle-earth? Rings of Power timeline explained
This is where Amazon's epic series fits into the Lord of the Rings timeline.
Explaining with detail and clarity the intricacies and depth of Tolkien’s world and its timeline is a task of monumental proportion. After all, it spans thousands of years, different ages, various wars, world-changing events, and the journey of a Hobbit from his house to a land of Shadow. Now included in that timeline is The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Amazon Prime Video’s hit show based on Tolkien’s work, which takes place in the Second Age. Set thousands of years before Frodo Baggins sets out from The Shire, and just as long from Bilbo Baggins’s similar journey, The Rings of Power occupies a currently unseen on-screen part of Middle-earth. When chatting about the formation of the series with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Patrick McKay said: "We were not interested in doing a show about the younger version of the same world you knew, where it’s a little bit of a prequel. "We wanted to go way, way, way back and find a story that could exist on its own two feet. This was one that we felt hadn’t been told on the level and the scale and with the depth that we felt it deserved." While season 1 took us from cross-country journeys with proto-Hobbits, called Harfoots, to the great Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, and even deep down into the mines of Khazad-dûm, season 2 will continue this extraordinary journey with even greater depth and scale. Where does The Rings of Power fit in the Lord of the Rings timeline? The Rings of Power is set in what is known as the Second Age of Middle-earth, or the Age of Númenor. Lasting 3,441 years, this age runs from the creation of the two great Elven and human kingdoms, all the way up until the first defeat of Sauron. Most movie fans will recognise where the Second Age ends, as the events of Sauron’s downfall are closely described in the opening monologue of The Fellowship of the Ring by Cate Blanchett’s Galadriel. Yet looking back, so much happens in this chronicled period that even three of Peter Jackson’s films couldn’t cover it. Starting with the Elves, this period saw the founding of the Elven capital Lindon. Ruled over by High King Gil-galad, played by Benjamin Walker, this region included the Grey Havens – the port city where Frodo and Bilbo Baggins would eventually leave Middle-earth from. During this time, many Elves broke away and created the realm of Eregion, which played a central role in season 1, and looks to be the main area of focus in season 2, given Celebrimbor's (Charles Edwards) importance to the story. During the endgame of The Rings of Power season 1, Sauron, in his disguise as Halbrand, begins his slow manipulation of the Elven smith, which will ultimately lead to the creation of the titular Rings of Power, and Sauron forging his own One Ring. We know that Sauron will be reunited with Celebrimbor in season 2, continuing that manipulation, this time in the guise of Annatar - a self-proclaimed emissary of the Valar. Lord Elrond, who is best known for being played by Hugo Weaving in Peter Jackson’s trilogy but now appears as Robert Aramayo, also split from Lindon in this age to create the well-known haven of Rivendell. Alongside the Elves, the Dwarves made their move to the mines of Khazad-dûm. This name might be unfamiliar to the less lore-obsessed Lord of the Rings fans – however, nobody could forget the name Moria, by which the mines eventually become known. We meet the Mines of Moria again thousands of years later when the Fellowship come across cave trolls, goblins and the monster that almost brings down Gandalf. In The Rings of Power, we get the chance to see the caves of Khazad-dûm when they are still thriving and prosperous under Prince Durin, but as the show already teased in the first season, there is a growing darkness both in the caverns of Khazad-dûm, as well as underneath. Season 1 also explored the history of men in the Second Age, in both the Southlands region, and the island kingdom of Númenor. The Southlands is a bleak, desolate stretch of land, home to the ancestors of Men who sided with the Dark Lord Morgoth in the First Age. The show teases us with revelations about the history of the area, and some of the characters in the region still deserve exploration, it’s the fate of the land itself that stands out. In a change from the books, Mordor is spawned out of the Southlands thanks to a cunning plan by orc leader Adar, who awakens a dormant volcano (Mount Doom). We can’t wait to see more of Mordor in the second season. The other realm of men, Númenor, was formed, and will fall entirely in this Second Age - although at the current point in the show it’s thriving, the cracks are there to see. When this nation falls, those who escape will venture to Middle-earth to find refuge and exile, and it is from that bloodline of kings that Aragorn will come… most likely pushing open double doors. In addition to the already visited places of season 1, season 2 will take us to the land of Rhûn to the East, as a part of The Stranger and Nori’s story. Here, they’ll encounter an Istar (Ciaran Hinds), as well as the enigmatic Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear). While the Second Age is being massively truncated for the show to function, season 1 showed it’s possible to do this without affecting the gravity of the story, and season 2 promises much of the same. While we don’t know what the final endgame of The Rings of Power is, we can surmise it will be the Last Alliance of Elves and Men to close out the Second Age and usher in the Third, otherwise known as the prologue scene of The Fellowship of the Ring. Before we get there, though, there’s still plenty of story to get through in this Second Age. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Read more on The Rings of Power: How to watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies in order Meet the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power What is Valinor in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? What are Harfoots? The Rings of Power Hobbits and history explained Who is Morgoth in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Who is The Stranger in The Rings of Power? Daniel Weyman role theories Who is Galadriel’s brother? Meet Finrod actor Will Fletcher Who is Galadriel actress Morfydd Clark in The Rings of Power? Who is Elrond actor Robert Aramayo in The Rings of Power? The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premieres on Thursday 29th August 2024 on Prime Video. Sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. Check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who plays Sauron and Annatar in The Rings of Power?
We meet a new version of Charlie Vickers's chilling villain in season 2.
It's time for Sauron to return in The Rings of Power season 2, with Charlie Vickers's chilling villain returning in multiple forms. The finale episode of The Rings of Power season 1 confirmed what many had theorised – that Halbrand, played by Vickers, was actually Sauron and the Dark Lord had been right under Galadriel's (Morfydd Clark) nose all this time, manipulating and using her. His manipulative ways are far from over, though, as we enter season 2, with Sauron set to use the unsuspecting elf Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) for his bidding – to create more Rings of Power and ultimately control every being in Middle-earth. In doing this, he takes on a new form, as Annatar, also known as the Lord of Gifts. But, as Celebrimbor asserts in the trailer, which appears to show him realise Sauron's true form, not every gift is well-received. Here's everything we know so far about Sauron/Annatar in The Rings of Power season 2, and actor Charlie Vickers. Who is Sauron in The Rings of Power? Sauron is the main antagonist in The Rings of Power, and is set on his mission to rule Middle-earth by means of controlling the minds of all its beings – Elves, Dwarves, and men alike. To do this, as Galadriel asserts in the season 2 trailer, he needs not armies, but rings – the Rings of Power. As any Tolkien fan knows, Sauron has many names and forms. So far, Sauron has taken the form of: Halbrand, a blacksmith and companion of Galadriel Annatar, an Elf who encourages Celebrimbor to create the Rings of Power As for whether he could take even more forms? That remains to be seen and we're certainly not ruling it out. One of the most iconic literary villains of all time, Sauron is known as the Dark Lord and for lengthy periods has over the land of Mordor in Middle-Earth. Sauron, originally named Mairon, was one of the angelic beings known as the Maiar who was made by The Creator before joining in the evil Morgoth against him. Prior to his fall into evil, Mairon studied the Aule – the Smith of the Valar – to learn his ways and served as a spy in the Valar's home of Valinor. Sauron served as Morgoth's chief lieutenant in the great war of the First Age until Morgoth's defeat. Sauron escaped and later became the second Dark Lord. In Tolkien's lore, Sauron soon took on the form of a beautiful elf named Annatar, the "Lord of Gifts" and helped Lord Celebrimbor in the creation of the Rings of Power until the discovery of his "One Ring to the Rule Them All". The great war of the Second Age would go on to follow after Sauron also helped bring about the destruction of Numenor. Sauron would go on to be defeated by The Last Alliance of Men and Elves when Isildur, the son of Elendil, cut the ring from Sauron's finger. The character previously appeared on-screen in his physical form in the prologue of the film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, before appearing across the trilogy as a disembodied fiery "Eye of Sauron". The Dark Lord also appeared as a shadowy entity in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, appearing in The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies as the Necromancer in Dol Guldur before his true identity was exposed. In these scenes, Sauron was voiced by actor Benedict Cumberbatch. What will happen to Sauron/Annatar in The Rings of Power season 2? Recently chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Vickers teased what we can expect from Sauron in season 2. He said: "He now has to adjust and find a new way of achieving his goal and that is to go to this person he met at the end of the first season, Celebrimbor, and try and get him to help him make some rings. "And the rings are this manifestation of this idea that he has the power, not of the flesh, but over flesh, and that is to heal Middle Earth. So this focus has turned from Galadriel to Celebrimbor now." Of course, Vickers is playing a completely new version of Sauron for season 2, as Annatar, the Lord of Gifts. He explained: "I chose to adjust some things that aligned more with the vision that I think Tolkien had for the Annatar character. He talked of him being very regal and fair, and it's how you interpret those words. "But I wanted to portray someone that has a lot of wisdom and strength, and [Celebrimbor] is the greatest of Elven smiths, and [Annatar is] someone that can appear to him and say, 'Listen to me.' It would need to be someone that held a lot of gravitas. I changed the way I talked and the way I moved, and I also I wanted the character have some differences from Halbrand." Edwards, who plays Celebrimbor, added that the Annatar/Celebrimbor relationship becomes "intense" and "torturous". He exclusively told RadioTimes.com: "It becomes torturous. It becomes very intense, because these two minds that meet to create this apparently common goal, one one of apparently a beneficial goal, initially, at least, become very, you know, they work together very intensely, and they become snappy with each other, they argue and that. And it gradually gets more and more intense and, yeah, fiery." Who plays Sauron/Annatar in The Rings of Power? Sauron/Annatar is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power by Australian actor Charlie Vickers. In the finale of The Rings of Power season 1, Galadriel discovered that she had been deceived by Sauron when she met Halbrand and later believed him to be the rightful King of the Southlands. It turned out that this line of kings died long ago and Halbrand was just an elaborate deception by Sauron. The Dark Lord offered Galadriel the chance to join him and be his queen but was rejected. Ultimately, he escaped to Mordor in the finale. A relative newcomer, Vickers previously appeared in the film Palm Beach and in the television series Medici as the character Guglielmo Pazzi. Who did people think was playing Sauron in The Rings of Power? Previous theories on the Lord of the Rings villain Charlie Vickers Charlie Vickers was introduced as the roguish man named Halbrand in the opening episodes of The Rings of Power. Meeting Galadriel on the Sundering Seas, Halbrand becomes her sole companion as they are threatened by a sea beast and storms. It becomes clear that Halbrand has a dark past and Galadriel encourages him to move on from it. However, theories around Halbrand being Sauron quickly emerged and there was some convincing evidence. The third episode appeared to confirm Halbrand as an heir to the title of King of the Southlands, who had fled his home and wished to find a new life. However, Halbrand made clear that he was "not the hero" that Galadriel sought to fight against Sauron. Perhaps she should have listened. Indeed, in the end, it was Charlie Vickers who was portraying Sauron. Daniel Weyman Introduced at the end of the first episode, the enigmatic figure dubbed The Stranger crashes to Middle-earth in a red comet. Discovered by Harfoots named Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow, it is clear that this man is a magical being with a specific purpose, but what is it? The series even went so far as to offer a red herring when the three sorceresses from Rhûn searched for The Stranger and then addressed him as "Lord Sauron". However, the finale revealed that he was not the Dark Lord at all - but did offer some conclusive evidence about who he actually is. Read More: Who is The Stranger in The Rings of Power? Daniel Weyman role theories Joseph Mawle Game of Thrones actor Joseph Mawle is a member of the cast of The Rings of Power and portrays an antagonistic character named Adar. We were introduced to Adar in the third episode of The Rings of Power where he is revealed to be a corrupted Elf leading a horde of Orcs and destroying much of the Southlands with evil plans in mind. Multiple characters - and viewers - wondered if he could have been Sauron himself. Speaking to Arondir in the fourth episode, Adar makes clear his disillusionment with the Elves who he claims have sold lies. Leading an army of Orcs, Adar appears to be undergoing a transformation and is also seeking to use an object as a weapon. However, the sixth episode actually exposed some serious bitterness between both Adar and Sauron, with the former even claiming to have split Sauron apart. The future of their relationship has yet to be determined. Read More: Who is Adar in The Rings of Power? Joseph Mawle character theories Bridie Sisson Despite many speculating from trailers that her character was portrayed by actor Anson Boon, executive producer Lindsey Weber later told TIME that Bridie Sisson was the person portraying this enigmatic figure. Additionally, Weber teased about Sisson's role: "We are enjoying all the speculation online and can tell you Bridie Sisson is an incredible actor. "We also thought fans might like to know that her character is travelling from far to the east – from the lands of Rhûn..." Tolkien fans will know that Easterlings dwell from Rhûn and, in Tolkien lore, Sauron has been known to visit the land and also command armies of the people from there as his allies. When the series was released, Sisson was confirmed to be playing a character called The Dweller who was seeking The Stranger believing him to be Sauron. However, The Dweller and her companions were proven wrong. The Rings of Power season 2 will launch on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Rory Kinnear on Tom Bombadil, losing his father, and challenges of the Bond franchise
Kinnear is tackling a new challenge as the much-loved Tom Bombadil in Prime Video series The Rings of Power.
In the course of a career that has spanned film, television and theatre, Rory Kinnear has played Hamlet, Iago, a British prime minister and MI6’s chief of staff. He’s been Lord Lucan, Denis Thatcher and Karl Marx – but it’s safe to say he has never played an ancient and mysterious woodland character with an enormous beard, eclectic wardrobe and a penchant for magical songs. Until now, that is. Kinnear will soon be starring as Tom Bombadil in the second series of The Rings of Power, the Amazon Prime epic set a few thousand years before Tolkien’s original novel, The Lord of the Rings. The role, Kinnear agrees, is something of a departure for him. “I like to do things I haven’t done before,” he tells me over coffee in a Soho hotel. “From doing big action films to studio sitcoms, to television dramas to Shakespeare. But I’ve never done a fantasy thing before. I’ve never really understood it – it’s never been my bag.” Kinnear had met the series’ showrunners and they had explained the character to him. “I told my partner [actor Pandora Colin, with whom he has two children] and she said ‘He’s the best character in the whole book’, so I went away and read the chapters he appears in and thought he seemed really interesting. He has a quite jovial positivity, but there is this notion that he has seen all of life and everything that has gone before – and in that way has a sense of everything that will happen in the future as well.” Apart from the large, bushy beard, there are a few other differences between Bombadil and Kinnear. Bombadil is described by Tolkien as being “older than the old”, while Kinnear is 46; Bombadil lives in Middle-earth while Kinnear lives in London. But what they both do share, according to Kinnear, is that they are both “phlegmatic about the small things in life and not particularly easily stressed or flustered by too much”. This, in Kinnear’s childhood and in more recent years during the Covid pandemic, has clearly proved an invaluable skill. Born in 1978, Kinnear grew up in Twickenham, south-west London, with two older sisters and parents who were both actors. His mother Carmel Cryan was in EastEnders, while his father was the comic actor Roy Kinnear, famous for his appearances in the satirical '60s sketch show That Was the Week That Was and as Veruca Salt’s dad in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). As a boy, Rory would go to see his dad record shows such as Blankety Blank and be introduced to the likes of Les Dawson (“I was a huge fan”), Sooty and Roland Rat. It was a fun childhood – Kinnear recalls he “liked books and sport and mucking about”. However, Roy Kinnear’s final shoot changed everything. In the summer of 1988, when Rory was 10 years old, his father died after falling from a horse in Spain while filming a stunt for The Return of the Musketeers. “It forms how you look at life,” he says now of the impact it had on him. “I remember about a year after he died, watching one of his TV shows and getting that pain and ache of missing someone.” I share that I have friends who also lost a parent at a young age, and they were all in some way damaged by the death. This, it seems, was something that worried Kinnear at the time. “I was desperate for his story to not ruin my life,” he says. “I knew that I had a comfortable enough life. I had so many things in which I had won the lottery. I had all the best groundwork for dealing with it – a loving family, a supportive network of friends and a school that made sure that I was all right.” And so he kept going. Kinnear attended St Paul’s School in west London and then read English at Balliol College, Oxford, before going on to train at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. “I always really loved acting, because people said I was good at it. I had an instinct for it and I enjoyed the showing-off element of it.” Viewed from the outside, Kinnear’s career trajectory seems to have been effortless – working with such theatrical luminaries as Trevor Nunn, Nicholas Hytner and Gregory Doran before landing roles in television dramas, such as Russell T Davies’s Years and Years and comedies like Count Arthur Strong. I wonder, did it feel as easy to him at the time? “It definitely doesn’t feel like I’ve dragged myself up,” he concedes. And in an industry where it can be about who you know – and as the son of two established actors – does he think he has benefited from nepotism? “I was aware that if people wanted to interview me [early in my career] it was because of that,” he says. “But I don’t think it was getting me jobs.” If there is one role that did bring Kinnear global recognition, it was that of MI6 chief of staff Bill Tanner in the last four Bond films. Being in a franchise so huge and beloved was, he says, something of a learning curve. “You don’t get a script, so you have no idea what your role is,” he reveals. “I remember the first day that I was filming with Judi Dench and just before going for a take thinking, ‘F**king hell, everyone will watch this…’ and I immediately f**ked up the take. You have to try and park all the outside noise.” He’s now more confident on big sets – and, following his father’s accident, one subject which Kinnear is always happy to speak about is safety in filming. “On set people can feel squeezed by the pressures of time and money to do things which they’re not fully sure have been thought through,” he says. “So that’s something that I like to speak out on. I will always put my hand up and say I don’t feel happy doing something. It’s so that everyone gets the message that the worst can happen – no shot is worth what happened to me.” Kinnear has lived through some of the worst things that can happen, losing his father as a young boy and one of his sisters, Karina, during the pandemic (which inspired him to pen blistering critiques of the Conservative government’s handling of the crisis in The Guardian). But, he tells me, he “remains a very optimistic, positive person”, who still sees his late father in dreams 36 years after his death. “I am able to go into that imagined dream landscape and have a hug from him and talk with him,” he says. “It’s a wonderful thing, what we are able as humans to do with our imaginative life.” It’s a power that Kinnear also credits to the fantasy worlds of writers like JRR Tolkien – even if, as he admits, he’s not a fantasy fan, he now believes he knows why The Lord of the Rings has remained so popular for so long. “I think it’s because Tolkien’s stories offer worlds that are so different from our own, but familiar enough to give a sense of comfort and continuity,” he suggests. “They provide escape and essentially that is art: it can provide escape, or it can provide reflection. And sometimes it provides both.” Read more: Rings of Power bosses tease "most ambitious battle in TV history" in season 2 Rings of Power bosses confirm The Stranger's identity will be revealed in season 2 The Rings of Power season 2 will launch on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Rings of Power season 2 trailer offers terrifying new look at Sauron's return
The new trailer for The Rings of Power season 2 has offered a terrifying new look at Sauron's return in the form of 'The Lord of Gifts', Annatar. The new season of the Lord of the Rings fantasy series is coming this August, with a brand new, action-packed trailer coming our way from San Diego Comic-Con. The chilling trailer begins with Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) telling us: "Sauron sees himself as master of all Middle-earth. "He seeks to rule it not only through conquest, but by bending the minds of all its people to his own. And for that he needs not armies, but rings." View oEmbed on the source website It goes on to tease the terrifying return of Sauron as, in his new form as Annatar (Charlie Vickers), he walks through flames and introduces himself to Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) as "the sharer of gifts". Elsewhere, we return to Nori (Markella Kavenagh) amid her journey with the Stranger, who has an even bigger purpose this season. After some fans were left disappointed by the lack of action in season 1, it seems season 2 will be filled with battles, as fire rages across Middle-earth in the epic trailer, and armies clash in the fight against darkness. It was revealed earlier this year that season 2 will premiere on 29th August. Following season 1, there were plenty of questions about just how Sauron could return, with a synopsis for season 2 reading: "Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will." View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The Rings of Power season 2 will premiere on Prime Video on Thursday 29th August. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Ian McKellen open to Gandalf return in Gollum film: "If I'm alive"
You shall not pass... up the opportunity to return to Lord of the Rings.
Lord of the Rings legend Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he is open to donning the wizard robe and pointy hat once more in the upcoming Gollum film - under one very specific (and slightly dark) condition. It was recently announced that Andy Serkis would return to both direct and star in The Hunt for Gollum, bringing everyone’s favourite Stoor Hobbit back to the big screen. And this has prompted many LOTR fans to ask the question: will other iconic characters return too? Well, speaking to The Times about the recent "stirrings in Tolkien land", 85-year-old McKellen teased: "I haven’t shaved in months." The veteran actor went on to add, "There is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan," but when asked if he would be interested in returning, he said, "If I’m alive." The two-time Oscar nominee certainly shows no signs of slowing down, having recently lent his talents to everything from narrating Sky Max comedy Ted to leading Sean Mathias’s modern take on Hamlet, and to see him back in his most popular role would certainly help to ensure the highly-anticipated Hunt for Gollum wins over any sceptics. One major Lord of the Rings name confirmed to return for the film, though, is Peter Jackson, who directed both the original trilogy and Hobbit series, and will produce alongside Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, with the trio "involved every step of the way". The movie will "explore storylines yet to be told", according to Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, and is "now in the early stages of script development", with Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou attached as writers. While we know Serkis is set to return as Gollum, further cast members are yet to be announced. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria release date, trailer and pre-order
Middle Earth games are often hit and miss, from the awesome movie licenses on the PS2 to this year's underwhelming Gollum. However, we're hoping for a big hit with the tactical sim The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. The Dwarves are a fan favourite race of Middle Earth, and we reckon this is owed a lot to John Rhys-Davies's portrayal of Gimli in the films. And in an amazing turn of events, Rhys-Davies is back voicing Gimli in Return to Moria! This alone is worth the price, surely. But what else to we know about it? When is it out, what consoles is it on and what's the deal with the story and gameplay? Let's take a look. When is The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria's release date? The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria release date has now been staggered across the following dates: 24th October 2023 on PC 5th December 2023 on PS5 Early in 2024 for the Xbox Series X/S The good new is that it's out now on PC! Not too far away for PlayStation, either, and we'll update this page as soon as the Xbox release is announced. Can I pre-order The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria? While the option to pre-order isn't available just yet, you can add it to your wishlist on the Epic Games store here! Again, we'll update this page if anything changes. Which consoles and platforms can play The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria? The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria will be a PC exclusive, by the looks of things. It also won't be dropping on Steam, but over at the Epic Games Store. If anything changes, we'll let you know - but this looks to be a PC affair. View Green Video on the source website The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria gameplay and story details The gameplay looks a little different to the usual hack-and-slash affair of a Lord of the Rings title. Return to Moria features survival-crafting gameplay. The environments are procedurally generated - but, of course, the whole game takes place in the famous mines of Moria (one of the most iconic locations in the Peter Jackson trilogy). To survive, we'll have to mine (of course), hunt, craft and manage our sleep. That last one's difficult enough in real life, and it must be a nightmare without sunlight... The story seems to take place after the events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. A group of dwarves, lead by Gimli himself, are on a mission to reclaim Moria from the evil forces of the dark. Is there a Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria trailer? There is indeed a trailer! We'll share the most recent gameplay trailer below (it's narrated by John Rhys-Davies, who, it's been confirmed, will voice Gimli in the game!): View oEmbed on the source website Listen to our One More Life podcast, subscribe to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter for all the latest gaming intel. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Lord of the Rings soundtrack: Every song in Peter Jackson's trilogy
Here's a full list of tracks from all three of Howard Shore's masterful scores.
In any discussion of the best film soundtracks ever produced, it's only a matter of time until Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy comes up in the conversation. Composer Howard Shore, who has also worked on the scores for films such as The Fly, Philadelphia and 2005's King Kong, crafted an epic soundtrack for the ages, which is so distinct and stirring that it was recently voted the nation's favourite film music a decade after the final movie first debuted. Shore, of course, also composed the music for Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy years later, but it's his tracks for the original trilogy - such as Concerning Hobbits, The Breaking of the Fellowship and Into the West - which have truly stood the test of time and continue to live deep in fans' hearts. If it's been a while since you saw the films or listened to the soundtracks, you may be struggling to remember your favourite tunes or looking for a full list of them through which to peruse. Well, don't worry - we've got you covered. Read on for everything you need to know about the soundtracks to all three films in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Ring trilogy. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack As with its two sequels, the score for The Fellowship of the Ring was composed, orchestrated and conducted by Howard Shore. The music was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the London Voices and London Oratory School Schola choir, while performers featured on the tracks include Enya and Elizabeth Fraser. Here's a full track list for the soundtrack: The Prophecy Concerning Hobbits The Shadow of the Past The Treason of Isengard The Black Rider At the Sign of the Prancing Pony A Knife in the Dark Flight to the Ford Many Meetings The Council of Elrond (feat Aníron - Theme for Aragorn and Arwen, composed and performed by Enya) The Ring Goes South A Journey in the Dark The Bridge of Khazad-dûm Lothlórien (feat Lament for Gandalf by Philippa Boyens and Howard Shore, performed by Elizabeth Fraser) The Great River Amon Hen The Breaking of the Fellowship (feat In Dreams by Fran Walsh and Howard Shore, performed by Edward Ross) May It Be (composed and performed by Enya) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers soundtrack The score for The Two Towers was once again composed by Howard Shore, while it was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Voices and the London Oratory School Schola. Performers featured on the soundtrack include Sheila Chandra and Ben Del Maestro. Here's a full track list for the soundtrack: Foundations of Stone The Taming of Sméagol The Riders of Rohan The Passage of the Marshes The Uruk-hai The King of the Golden Hall The Black Gate Is Closed Evenstar (feat Isabel Bayrakdarian) The White Rider Treebeard The Leave Taking Helm's Deep The Forbidden Pool Breath of Life (feat Sheila Chandra) The Hornburg Forth Eorlingas (feat Ben Del Maestro) Isengard Unleashed (feat Elizabeth Fraser and Ben Del Maestro) Samwise the Brave Gollum's Song (performed by Emilíana Torrini, lyrics by Fran Walsh) Farewell to Lórien (feat Hilary Summers) - Limited edition bonus track The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King soundtrack For the final film in the trilogy, the score was once again composed by Shore, and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Voices and the London Oratory School Schola. Billy Boyd and Annie Lennox were two of those who featured on the soundtrack. Here's a full track list for the soundtrack: A Storm Is Coming Hope and Memory Minas Tirith (feat Ben del Maestro) The White Tree The Steward of Gondor (feat Billy Boyd) Minas Morgul The Ride of the Rohirrim Twilight and Shadow (feat Renée Fleming) Cirith Ungol Andúril Shelob's Lair Ash and Smoke The Fields of the Pelennor Hope Fails The Black Gate Opens (feat Sir James Galway) The End of All Things (feat Renée Fleming) The Return of the King (feat Sir James Galway, Viggo Mortensen and Renée Fleming) The Grey Havens (feat Sir James Galway) Into the West (performed by Annie Lennox) Use Well the Days (performed by Annie Lennox) View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
LEGO The Hobbit cheats: Full list of codes & how to use them
After all, why not? Why shouldn't we use cheats?
Lego has an uncanny ability to see a franchise, envision it with its own brand of blocky humour and make it usually brilliant - and such is the case with LEGO The Hobbit. And seeing as it’s been out since 2014, we don’t think anyone will mind you bending the rules a little - so we have for you the LEGO The Hobbit cheats with a full list of codes and how to use them. Taking place across the events of An Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug, Lego’s interpretation features many familiar locales - and some new ones to better suit its cubic sensibilities. The game saw a number of DLCs but unfortunately never saw the third Hobbit film, The Battle of the Five Armies, adapted for the title - making it feel slightly unfinished. Yet, despite this, there is still a ton of fun to be had - especially with friends. So read on to amplify the silliness further with all the Hobbit cheats you need! How to use cheats in LEGO The Hobbit To use cheats in LEGO The Hobbit you need to pause the game and then select Extras, then from this menu, select Enter Code and you will be able to enter all the codes you need to. Once you’ve entered a code, press the return key and you should be notified that the cheat has been unlocked. Unfortunately, you can’t save characters that you unlock via this method, so any time you start the game up again, you will need to enter the codes to play as your favourite Hobbit icon. Fortunately, it only takes a few seconds before you can jump back into the action. Full list of LEGO The Hobbit cheat codes Below is the full list of LEGO The Hobbit cheat codes which will unlock any of the available characters you would like to play as. FAVZTR – Alfrid 84ZZSI – Azog (Claw) W5Z6AC – Bain UER3JG – Bard XTVM8C – Barliman Butterbur 555R9C – Barrow-wight KEID2V – Beorn ZIBYHO – Bolg MXUXKO – Braga 5OJEUC – Bree Peasant H2CAID – Elros THAVRM – Fimbul 00TE7J – Galadriel 3CE37P – Gollum TPD7YW – Grinnah V4Y5HZ – Lindir 9NOK35 – Master of Lake-town 4FYKKB – Narzug NM3I2O – Necromancer 74KN31 – Percy TB4S6J – Rosie Cotton OARA3D – Sauron SYKSXF – Thrór (Armoured) 4Y95TJ – Tom Bombadil V8AHMJ – Witch-king S6VV33 – Yazneg And that’s your lot. Unfortunately, there aren’t any other cheat codes to give you any powers or the like, but the game is so bonkers already that it honestly feels like playing through The Hobbit with cheats anyway! View Green Video on the source website Subscribe to our free Gaming Newsletter for weekly insights, and follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home — subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson reacts to news of new films
Warner Bros is bringing Tolkien's world back to the big screen.
Director Peter Jackson has offered his reaction to news that Warner Bros is developing more films in the Lord of the Rings franchise. News broke yesterday of a new deal between the Hollywood studio and Embracer Group, holders of the film rights to JRR Tolkien's wildly popular fantasy world, which is expected to bring about brand new entries in the epic saga. These are currently in the very earliest stages of development, meaning there is no indication of when they will be set on the millennia-spanning Middle-earth timeline, nor which creative team will be bringing them to life. Both fans and the wider film industry immediately thought of Jackson, who directed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies in his home country of New Zealand, but his involvement is unconfirmed as of yet. In a joint statement (via Deadline), the director and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, said: “Warner Bros and Embracer have kept us in the loop every step of the way. We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward.” The new Lord of the Rings feature films are expected to be entirely separate to Prime Video's current fantasy drama The Rings of Power, which is the product of a separate agreement for the television and streaming rights to the story. Read more: Being Human creator discusses potential one-off reunion special Why won't there be a Carnival Row season 3? Orlando Bloom explains Warner Bros Pictures co-chairs and CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy said: “Twenty years ago, New Line took an unprecedented leap of faith to realise the incredible stories, characters and world of The Lord of the Rings on the big screen. "The result was a landmark series of films that have been embraced by generations of fans. But for all the scope and detail lovingly packed into the two trilogies, the vast, complex and dazzling universe dreamed up by JRR Tolkien remains largely unexplored on film." They added: "The opportunity to invite fans deeper into the cinematic world of Middle-earth is an honour, and we are excited to partner with Middle-earth Enterprises and Embracer on this adventure.” View Green Video on the source website Prior to this deal, Warner Bros and its subsidiary New Line already had an animated Lord of the Rings film in the works, titled The War of the Rohirrim, which features Succession star Brian Cox as the voice of Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan. The film is scheduled for release in April 2024 and will be presented in the style of anime, with Japanese production company Sola Entertainment (Blade Runner: Black Lotus) handling the production. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Orlando Bloom talks The Rings of Power: "It was really courageous"
The actor, known for playing Legolas, is "looking forward to more".
Orlando Bloom has weighed in on Prime Video's ambitious The Lord of the Rings prequel series, having risen to fame in the cast of Peter Jackson's earlier adaptation of Middle-earth. The actor became known for playing elven archer Legolas in the trilogy of films released at the start of the millennium, later reprising the role for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and its 2014 sequel. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power tells a story set thousands of years before JRR Tolkien's main saga, drawing on supplemental materials from the late novelist as well as original creations by the series writers. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com ahead of the launch of Carnival Row season 2, which also airs on Prime Video, Bloom said that he "loved" seeing a fresh take on the beloved fantasy saga. "I had missed Tolkien," he said. "I had missed Tolkien's mind and I’d missed his world and I’d missed his vision – and I think they just stepped back into Tolkien's world. I thought it was really courageous. "It’s not an easy thing to take on another version of something that had such a remarkable run of its own, but I thought it was really admirable; the casting, the story and the way they approached the world... I'm looking forward to more of it." The Rings of Power has already been renewed for season 2, which is filming now, with the intention being for the show to run for a total of five – with the final shot already decided on by the show's head creatives. Bloom added: "Peter [Jackson] did an amazing job, obviously, with The Lord of the Rings and we got to play these great characters. But they've kind of gone back and gone, ‘Look, these characters still exist in this world and we can show you other aspects of them’. "I was like, ‘Cool, I'm down for that!’" Read more: Rings of Power star on playing Sauron and when he discovered his role Rings of Power season 2 casts His Dark Materials star and more Last year, Bloom shared an Instagram photo of himself and The Rings of Power star Ismael Cruz Córdova, which was captioned "mellon", an Elvish term for "friend" in the Sindarin language. Fans interpreted this as a show of solidarity with Córdova, who had been the victim of racist trolling since signing onto The Rings of Power, with several other members of the cast also being targeted. View Green Video on the source website In an Instagram post, Córdova responded to the abuse: "I’ve continued this quest in the hope that I would make it at least a little bit easier for someone else. And perhaps inspire at least one person to do the same. "In there I kept my Elven dream alive. And here I am. Black, Latino, Puerto Rican, proud, and Elven AF." Carnival Row is available to stream on Prime Video. Season 2 arrives Friday 17th February 2023. Sign up for a 30-day free trial of Prime Video and pay £8.99 a month after that. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Rings of Power release schedule: When is episode 8 released?
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power takes us back to Middle-earth.
After the long-awaited debut of the first episodes in new Amazon Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, we now have a total of seven episodes on the streaming service. The first two episodes already garnered a record-breaking 25 million views for the streaming service upon their debut, and this new episode is sure to get fans talking and continue to build hype for the fantasy series. The show, which is not a direct adaptation of The Lord of the Rings but instead a new story drawn on the lore of the original novels by J R R Tolkien and their appendices, focuses on a number of different characters and groups. There's Elven warrior Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), who fears the evil of Sauron is growing once more in Middle-earth, elven politician Elrond (Robert Aramayo) who has visited his friend Prince Durin IV for council, a community of Harfoots who have found their plans changed forever when a mysterious stranger crash landed in a comet, and many more. But when will the next episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power be released, and how many episodes will there be total? Read on for everything you need to know about the release schedule for The Rings of Power. When is The Rings of Power episode 8 released? The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episode 8 will be released on Amazon Prime Video at 5am BST on Friday 14th October 2022. The first two episodes were released on Friday 2nd September, but since then, all future episodes are being placed on Prime Video with one per week. All in all, the first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will consist of eight episodes. What will happen in The Rings of Power episode 8? The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will conclude its first season with its eighth instalment. The finale was set up in the penultimate outing of the season, The Eye, which saw characters moving to different areas. Queen Regent Míriel ordered the return of her army to Númenor and the majority of soldiers are returning home, while the refugees from the Southlands are heading to a new home at a Númenórean colony. Elsewhere, Galadriel is set to return to Lindon to face the judgment of High King Gil-galad and also seek to heal the wounds of her friend Halbrand, the nominal King of the Southlands. This is all occurring as Adar has succeeded in transforming the Southlands into a hellish new home for the Orcs, Mordor. View oEmbed on the source website Meanwhile, Elrond will have to decide what to do with the small amount of Mithril that he now obtains, while Prince Durin IV will have to decide how to behave now with his father King Durin III after betraying him. Finally, Nori Brandyfoot and her Harfoot comrades are heading to warn The Stranger of the trio of sorceresses who are following him. Will they reach him in time? Teasing the finale to RadioTimes.com and other press, co-showrunner J.D. Payne said: "I think we can say that there are some plotlines that will come together and that we've sent some people off in some places at the end in terms of you've watched the Numenoreans go home and there are surprises awaiting them there. You've watched Halbrand and Galadriel head off somewhere. You've sort of left Elrond in a predicament where all he has is this one blanket of Mithril - what's he gonna do the Eldar’s still fading and all these guys, one little piece of Mithril. “So, you know, that tees us up to have some things that have been brewing all season kind of come together and collide - hopefully, in an unexpected and fun way.” The Rings of Power release schedule The following dates are the release schedule for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Episode 1 - Shadow of the Past - Friday 2nd September 2022 at 2am BST. Episode 2 - Adrift - Friday 2nd September 2022 at 2am BST. Episode 3 - Adar - Friday 9th September 2022 at 5am BST. Episode 4 - The Great Wave - Friday 16th September 2022 at 5am BST. Episode 5 - Partings - Friday 23rd September 2022 at 5am BST. Episode 6 - Udûn - Friday 30th September 2022 at 5am BST. Episode 7 - The Eye - Friday 7th October 2022 at 5am BST. Episode 8 - TBC - Friday 14th October 2022 at 5am BST. So, the series will conclude its first season in mid-October 2022. How many episodes are in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 will consist of eight episodes. A second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has already been officially commissioned and is set to begin filming in the UK - instead of New Zealand - in October 2022. When Amazon secured the rights for a Lord of the Rings television series from the Tolkien estate, it was reported by Deadline that the streaming service would have a multi-season commitment to the show. In this case, the future of the blockbuster series feels rather secure. Read more on The Rings of Power: How to watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies in order Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power review – Dazzling prequel doesn't let Tolkien fans down Meet the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power What is Valinor in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Who is Morgoth in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Who is Galadriel’s brother? Meet Finrod actor Will Fletcher What is the Second Age of Middle-earth? Rings of Power timeline explained The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues on Amazon Prime Video on Fridays – try Amazon Prime Video for free for 30 days. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast.
Which Rings of Power characters are in Lord of the Rings?
There are some familiar Tolkien names in the new prequel.
It’s been 20 years since Peter Jackson’s version of Lord of the Rings, but Tolkien’s influence on screen is far from over. Amazon Prime Video’s new prequel series, The Rings of Power, delves deep into the secrets of Middle-earth long before the adventures of Frodo and Sam. Set thousands of year in the past, these eight episodes will hopefully start to fill in the gaps of how the One Ring came to be and how Sauron was defeated. But despite a whole new cast of creatures, including Elves, Dwarves and Harfoots, there are a few familiar faces tagging along. And where some characters could only be recognised by the eagle-eyed fans out there, others should be pretty obvious to any Lord of the Rings novice. So with 20 years since they were last seen on screen, it’s as good a time as any to brush up on which Lord of the Rings characters have made a return. Galadriel One of the most beautiful and powerful Elves in Middle-earth, Galadriel’s lyrical voice is what kicks off the whole Lord of the Rings franchise. Originally played by Cate Blanchett, the Galadriel we find in The Fellowship of the Ring is the Lady of Lothlórien (the woodland realm) and the owner of one of the rings of power: Nenya. With her wisdom she gives the fellowship a safe haven after the death of Gandalf, and warns Frodo against trusting Boromir (Sean Bean), who had been corrupted by the ring. She also acts as a guiding light in the final film, Return of the King, and even saves the day in The Hobbit (although she doesn’t actually appear in the novel). Yet the powerful, serene Elf we know is not what we find in this new series. Prequel viewers will encounter a younger, warrior Galadriel, played by His Dark Materials actress Morfydd Clark. Motivated by anger and revenge, in this series we see the Elf leave her home of Valinor and pursue Sauron to the ends of the earth. Elrond Hugo Weaving’s movie portrayal of Elrond is as a strong, diplomatic leader and concerned father. As the high-lord of Rivendell, Elrond’s role in the Lord of the Rings saga is key. When Sauron is first defeated, Elrond escorts the human king, Isildur, into the fires of Mount Doom. There he tries to convince him to destroy the ring, but fails when Isildur’s greed takes over. Later, he uses the haven of Rivendell to host Bilbo and the 13 Dwarves in The Hobbit, and later still, holds the council meeting that forms the fellowship of the ring. He also plays the part of disapproving father when Aragorn’s (Viggo Mortensen) relationship with his daughter Arwen (Liv Tyler) threatens her immortality. But in the end, Elrond accepts his daughter’s decision to stay on Middle-earth and even reforms the ancient sword that helps Aragorn in battle. In the years before, Elrond is played by young Ned Stark from Game of Thrones, Robert Aramayo. Not yet a leader, Elrond is sent to help the Elven smith Celebrimbor with an unknown special project. We don’t yet know what part Elrond will play in forming the rings of power but so far, it looks like he is going to be very involved and possibly at risk. Gil-galad Gil-galad is the King of Lindon and the last High-King of the Elves. He has the highest authority of any Elf on Middle-earth but has only appeared very briefly before. Played by Mark Ferguson, Gil-galad momentarily appears in the opening prologue of The Fellowship of the Ring, where he’s shown fighting alongside Elrond and Isildur in the battle against Sauron. In an extended documentary about the film, it was revealed that Gil-galad was supposed to have a violent death in this scene. But it was instead cut, seeing as his death in the books (beaten by Sauron’s bare hands) was considered a little too violent. The Rings of Power however, lets viewers see the powerful reign of Gil-galad, where he’s played by Benjamin Walker. The respect from Elrond and the other Elves is clear so far, as even Galadriel doesn’t dare disobey his commands. It’s likely that viewers will get to see plenty more of him as the show goes on. Isildur Isildur is yet to appear in The Rings of Power, but we know he’ll be played by Years and Years actor, Maxim Baldry. The ancestor to Aragorn and the man who started it all, Isildur is the prince who originally defeated Sauron by cutting the ring from his finger. In The Fellowship of the Ring’s prologue, we follow Isildur’s story, from defeating Sauron to refusing to give up the One Ring, to his violent death. Isildur’s greed for the ring was his eventual downfall as the ring abandons him while under attack, leaving him visible to the enemy. The world of men has not been fully explored in the prequel’s opening episodes – however, viewers will soon be seeing the island of Númenor, the first great human empire. On this island we are likely to find Isildur and his father Elendil, as both lived there before breaking away and forging the city of Gondor. Sauron This big bad needs no introduction. A servant of evil who seeks to conquer Middle-earth with the One Ring, Sauron is at the heart of this story. Sauron was originally an ancient spirit, called a Maia, who came to Middle-earth and became a trusted lieutenant of the evil god Morgoth. When Morgoth was destroyed, Sauron remained to carry on his work. In Peter Jackson’s trilogy, viewers will know him as a giant glowing eye that watches and manipulates and, well, doesn’t really do much else. But before this age, Sauron had a body, and used his skills to trick the Elves into making the One Ring. From there, he waged a brutal war against the armies of Elves and men. All anyone knows is that Sauron will at some point appear in the Rings of Power. When, or how, or in what form, has not yet been revealed – although we have some theories who Sauron could be... His eerie influence is there from the get-go, however. Despite the Elves’ insistence that he is gone, the feelings of evil are rising up again in Middle-earth and Galadriel is convinced that he is still out there. And although we don’t know when he’ll be seen, fans might want to keep an eye out for a man named Annatar. Read more on The Rings of Power: Rings of Power release schedule: When are Lord of the Rings episodes out? How to watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies in order Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power review – Dazzling prequel doesn't let Tolkien fans down Who is Halbrand in The Rings of Power? Theories for Charlie Vickers’s character What are Harfoots? The Rings of Power Hobbits and history explained Who is The Stranger in The Rings of Power? Daniel Weyman role theories Who is Galadriel’s brother? Meet Finrod actor Will Fletcher What is the Second Age of Middle-earth? Rings of Power timeline explained The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video – try Prime Video for free for 30 days. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power review – Dazzling prequel doesn't let Tolkien fans down
Amazon's ambitious new series is a worthy successor to Peter Jackson's original big-screen trilogy.
It’s been 21 years now since that first Lord of the Rings film and eight since the last Hobbit movie, and, truth be told, none of us really expected another tour of Middle-earth. After 2014’s The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, some even wisecracked about Peter Jackson directing a version of the famously unadaptable The Silmarillion. Sadly, save for any scavenging of the appendices for The Lord of the Rings, it seemed like there was nowhere else to go, screen-wise, in JRR Tolkien’s mythology-rich land. But that was then and this is now. Who could have predicted that the Tolkien Estate, who for so many years had been ferociously protective of the late scholar’s work, would agree to new stories being created in his world? When Amazon Studios scooped the rights to The Lord of the Rings and its appendices (a chunky part of the final book that details the Second Age of Middle-earth) in November 2017, it was billed as the priciest TV deal in history. But the agreement wasn’t for a remake of The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, it was to create fresh stories in this densely-detailed world. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power arrives as one of the most anticipated TV shows of all time, then. Not that it’s guaranteed an easy ride. Not only is it likely to be compared, rightly or wrongly, to Jackson’s Oscar-hoovering trilogy, but there’s also an army of Tolkien loyalists to deal with, many of whom are deeply suspicious of anyone but their favourite author playing in the Middle-earth sandpit. Its timing though, is unfortunate. When Game of Thrones debuted in 2011 it couldn’t escape being judged next to Lord of the Rings. And with spin-off House of the Dragon having premiered just two weeks before the first two episodes of The Rings of Power drop, it’s inevitable they're going to pitted against each other. In many ways, though, it’s an unfair comparison. Game of Thrones was always the Rolling Stones to The Lord of the Rings’ Beatles – darker, edgier, lustier. JRR’s world, in the books and in Jackson’s movies, was warmer and more optimistic, and that’s a tone carried through into The Rings of Power. While sword and sorcery series of late have gotten bloodier and more savage, this show is refreshingly family-friendly. Though Peter Jackson’s shadow hangs over this series as much as Tolkien’s (it lifts much of the design aesthetic from both trilogies), it differs from the films in that it lacks a central protagonist. Though Nori the Harfoot (a breed of Hobbit we’ve not yet met on-screen before) is the closest we get to Frodo (“Haven’t you ever wondered what else is out there?” she asks her mother. “I can’t help but feel that there are wonders in this world beyond our wandering”), she’s just one among a throng of characters, both old (Galadriel, Elrond) and new (everyone else). This is a bona fide ensemble piece, in a way that the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films never were. That means, however, that the series consists of a patchwork of plotlines. Whereas The Lord of the Rings’ central story was the classic ‘hero’s journey’, there’s no such narrative thrust to The Rings of Power, at least not that we can glean from its first two episodes. These opening salvos then juggle a variety of storylines. There’s Galadriel, a younger, feistier version of the regal elf queen we know from Jackson’s films, in this series Commander of the northern armies and, as Elrond calls her, “warrior of the wastelands”. She’s the only elf to believe that, after defeating Morgoth and the orcs centuries ago, his “most devoted servant” Sauron is still alive. With the war now a distant memory for most, she’s but a lone voice in believing the threat to be real. Meanwhile, in Rhovanion, two Harfoots are trying to discover the identity of a mysterious, naked man (discreetly nude, we must add, this ain’t House of the Dragon), while in the world of Men, elf watcher Arondir is exploring a cavernous hole in the ground that he discovers after an entire village is wiped out. At the same time, Elrond has been asked to approach the Dwarves for help in building a structure that fans of the film series will instantly recognise. It’s not easy to see yet how these disparate narratives will eventually coalesce, but at the moment, the storytelling feels frustratingly bitty. What the series does offer, however, is a much more expansive look at Tolkien’s vast fictional world. Middle-earth is just one of the realms on show here, with Valinor, the Sundering Seas, Forodwaith, Rhovanion, Lindon, Eregion and Khazad-Dum all getting a look-in. The eye-wowing New Zealand locations not only offer a multitude of wildly different terrains and vistas, but also provide some extra connective tissue to the Jackson films. In some ways, The Rings of Power feel more of a kin to the Lord of the Rings trilogy than the Hobbit films do. By those later movies, Jackson was leaning even more heavily into CGI (just look at the orcs in those films compared to his first trilogy) and greenscreen. The Rings of Power, like The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers especially, looks and feels thrillingly organic. If the first episode, by zeroing in so tightly on the Elves (as great as they are in small doses, their slow, mannered, portentous delivery can grate), feels a little frosty and formal, know that it does get warmer and funnier, as the Harfoots and Dwarves (who are all now Scottish, it seems) are given more airtime. It’s said that showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay have a five-year plan for this series and already have its closing shot in their heads. Although the first two episodes take a while to get moving, there’s a lot to love here. The casting is almost uniformly on target and director JA Bayona makes the most of his record-busting budget. And we haven’t even mentioned Howard Shore’s stirring theme tune (which makes its debut in episode 2). It’s a newly-composed piece that doesn’t riff on any of his work on the LOTR and Hobbit movies, but manages to nostalgically evoke them. It’s just another element of the series that echoes that run of films. If you were burned by Jackson’s bloated, CGI-drenched Hobbit movies, this is the prequel the original Lord of the Rings trilogy really deserves. Read more on The Rings of Power: Rings of Power release schedule: When are Lord of the Rings episodes out? How to watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies in order Meet the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power What is Valinor in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Who is Halbrand in The Rings of Power? Theories for Charlie Vickers’s character What are Harfoots? The Rings of Power Hobbits and history explained Who is Morgoth in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? Who is The Stranger in The Rings of Power? Daniel Weyman role theories Who is Galadriel’s brother? Meet Finrod actor Will Fletcher Who is Galadriel actress Morfydd Clark in The Rings of Power? Who is Elrond actor Robert Aramayo in The Rings of Power? What is the Second Age of Middle-earth? Rings of Power timeline explained The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episodes 1 and 2 arrive on Amazon Prime Video in the UK on Friday 2nd September 2022 – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide or visit our dedicated Fantasy and Sci-Fi hub. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Gollum release date: Pre-order and latest news on Lord of the Rings game
Soon you can search for the precious on your console or computer.
Hold onto your horses, JRR Tolkien fans. The Gollum release date has now been delayed, with the upcoming Lord of the Rings game shifting further into the future than originally planned. Of course, Middle-earth has rich history in gaming, from the impressive LEGO Lord of the Rings game to the action-packed Shadow of Mordor titles, but this particular experience does sound unique. Not many would have guessed that Gollum had the potential to become the lead character in his own modern video game, but here we are — the sneaky former Stoor Hobbit will be the centre of attention here at long last. So, when exactly is the Gollum release date, and what else do you need to know about the new LotR game? We'll run through all the key information for you now. When is the Lord of the Rings: Gollum game release date? The Lord of the Rings: Gollum game release date is currently unknown. The game had been set to launch on 1st September, which would've coincided nicely with the arrival of The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime Video, but Gollum has now been delayed — it'll drop on an undisclosed date "a few months" later. The Tweet below explains why. View oEmbed on the source website Can I pre-order The Lord of the Rings: Gollum game? You can pre-order The Lord of the Rings: Gollum from GAME, where the price is listed as £59.99. The game's Steam page is also live now, allowing PC players to wishlist the game ahead of launch. More and more pre-order pages are starting to appear, as well, so you can check out some of your buying options below. undefined What consoles and platforms will The Lord of the Rings: Gollum be released on? The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will release pretty much everywhere, with the developers from Daedalic Entertainment promising that their vision will reach PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC. The Switch version of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will launch later than the others, though, with Daedalic pledging to release the Nintendo-friendly edition some time after the powerful machines get a go. Is The Lord of the Rings: Gollum based on the movies? No, the Gollum game is not based on the Lord of the Rings films. The game will be based solely on JRR Tolkein's books and not Peter Jackson's films, so fans can expect a rather different Gollum to Andy Serkis' iconic take on the character. Developer Daedalic Entertainment has hinted that Gollum may be bigger than he is in the movies, and that the Nazgûl will appear in the game with its own redesigned look. What's The Lord of the Rings: Gollum about? The game has been described as an action-adventure, though is expected to be less violent than other Lord of the Rings games such as Shadow of Mordor. Gamers will join Gollum's story shortly after he loses the One Ring to Bilbo Baggins, before joining the former Stoor Hobbit in a stealthy adventure across Middle-earth. The character's dual nature is said to become a gameplay element - players will have to choose whether to side with Sméagol or Gollum at various points throughout the game. Is there gameplay footage for The Lord of the Rings: Gollum? Behind closed doors, RadioTimes.com has seen 20 minutes of footage from The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, which showed that stealthiness is just one of many skills in Gollum's arsenal. As we learned at a recent Gollum game demo event, the game is almost entirely combat-free. Gollum will need to rely on other skills to get by. You'll also be climbing, wall-running and trying to solve puzzles! In terms of gameplay footage that you can actually watch, this is the latest clip to be shared online... View oEmbed on the source website Can I watch a trailer for The Lord of the Rings: Gollum? A trailer was released at last year's The Game Awards, giving fans a good look at what to expect from The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. The trailer shows players dodging a myriad of monsters from Tolkien's fantasy series as Gollum continues on his hunt for the missing ring. While you wait for the Gollum game release date on 1st of September, you can watch that trailer below below: View oEmbed on the source website Follow Radio Times Gaming on Twitter for all the latest insights. Or if you're looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide. Visit our video game release schedule for all upcoming games on consoles. Swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Rings of Power trailer unveils Lenny Henry in Lord of the Rings prequel
The British comedy star is among the show's large ensemble cast.
Amazon's Prime Video has dropped a brand new trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power at San Diego Comic-Con, giving a closer look at the action-packed fantasy epic inspired by the world of JRR Tolkien. The show has a large ensemble cast comprised of both unknowns and familiar faces, including Morfydd Clark (The Personal History of David Copperfield), Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) and British comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry. The new clip gives us our first look at Henry in character as Sadoc Burrows, an elder of the Harfoot people, who are a subspecies of the Hobbits that are synonymous with the Lord of the Rings franchise. He warns that "the skies are strange" as the trailer sets up a brewing conflict with terrifying baddie Sauron, which could well consume all of Middle-Earth. Watch the new trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website Besides Henry's debut, there's plenty more more to mull over from the new trailer, which shows off the stunning visual effects indicative of the fantasy drama's whopping $250 million budget. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con yesterday, executive producer JD Payne described the central themes of the show as "timely for not just our culture or any other culture around the world". He added: “[It's] a deeply painful story, but something we might learn from." The trailer ends with a sinister voice proclaiming "you have been told many lies of Middle-Earth", as Córdova's elf warrior Arondir is snatched away into the darkness by some unseen force. In a post-title-card sting, we also get a glimpse of a fearsome Balrog, which should assure viewers there will be enough familiar Lord of the Rings elements present despite the show's setting thousands of years before the original trilogy. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power premieres on Prime Video on Friday 2nd September 2022. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see whats on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.