The Rings of Power season 2: Release date speculation, cast, plot details
When will The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power return to Prime Video?
Many of us still haven't recovered from The Rings of Power on Prime Video – but the wait is on for season 2.
Although it's been a long time to wait, there have been announcements to tide us over, like new additions to the cast and teases about how the story will continue – including a suggestion from the director that it will be "darker" and "edgier"
Season 1 of the fantasy epic was viewed by more than 100 million people and became Prime Video's most successful series – not hugely surprising given the worldwide love for the Lord of the Rings books and original film trilogy.
Filming on the second season began in October 2022, with plot details currently being kept under wraps.
But Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, is confident that season 2 will continue the huge success of season 1, previously telling Variety: "We love our original series. We're extremely proud of it, and invested long-term. So, we definitely think there's enough fan love to sustain ours for a long time."
More like this
So, read on for everything you need to know about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2.
Rings of Power season 2 release date speculation
We're not expecting Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 any earlier than autumn 2024.
There's no official release date just yet but we'll keep this page updated when we know more.
There was some speculation that Amazon Studios was fast-tracking the production of the second season, which began in the UK in October 2022. However, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner Patrick McKay speculated that the show may require a "couple of years" for the next season to be ready.
Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke told Variety: "The production team is working on season 2 now. We’re going to get that out into the world as soon as we can. We want the shortest time possible between seasons, but we want to keep the bar just as high. So it’ll take what it takes.
"But there’s been some urgency around moving quickly, which is why these guys have been writing all through their hiatus. We’re moving fast."
Unlike the first season, production will not take place in New Zealand while shooting the new season, which is expected to consist of eight episodes.
Who will return as part of The Rings of Power season 2 cast?
We're expecting to see the following cast members in The Rings of Power season 2:
- Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
- Charlie Vickers as Sauron
- Markella Kavenagh as Elanor 'Nori' Brandyfoot
- Robert Aramayo as Elrond
- Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad
- Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir
- Nazanin Boniadi as Bronwyn
- Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo
- Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor
- Daniel Weyman as The Stranger
- Owain Arthur as Prince Durin IV
- Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa
- Peter Mullan as King Durin III
- Lloyd Owen as Elendil
- Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Queen Regent Míriel
- Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
- Maxim Baldry as Isildur
- Ema Horvath as Eärien
- Joseph Mawle as Adar
- Geoff Morrell as Waldreg
- Leon Wadham as Kemen
- Alex Tarrant as Valandil
- Will Keen as TBC
- Oliver Alvin-Wilson as TBC
- Stuart Bowman as TBC
- Gavi Singh Chera as TBC
- William Chubb as TBC
- Kevin Eldon as TBC
- Selina Lo as TBC
- Calam Lynch as TBC
- Ciarán Hinds as TBC
- Rory Kinnear as TBC
- Tanya Moodie as TBC
It was previously announced that Ciarán Hinds, Rory Kinnear and Tanya Moodie are joining the cast in recurring roles – although their characters are currently being kept under wraps.
Also joining the second instalment are cast members Will Keen, who played Father MacPhail in His Dark Materials, Oliver Alvin-Wilson (Collateral, Lovesick), Stuart Bowman (The Pact), Gavi Singh Chera (Vera), The Sandman's William Chubb, and Game of Thrones star Kevin Eldon.
They join the main Rings of Power cast, most of whom are expected to return, including Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh), and Sauron (Charlie Vickers).
It remains to be seen if we will see the rest of the Harfoot community again, as the likes of Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards) and the Brandyfoot clan went their separate ways to Nori who is bound on an adventure with The Stranger.
However, even if they don’t return next season, expect them back in future.
On their return, showrunner Patrick McKay told RadioTimes.com and other press: "I mean, 100 per cent, the idea of Nori having this parting with Poppy and her mother and her father and the reunion? Oh, my God, when do we get to play that?
"Those are important characters. The role of the Harfoots in the world is a huge one over the whole season; these are not people who have a home, right? The first thing you think of when you think of hobbits is, 'Well, they're in the Shire.' And part of the epic, I think, Second Age, is like, ‘Well, where did those people come from?’ Hopefully, it's a winding journey to get there, but all those people have a role to play in it.
"And one of the things we love about these kinds of shows is that eventually, they get dozens of interesting characters. You know, they can be gone for an entire season, they can pop back in a season and a half down the road, and then suddenly, it's like, 'Oh, my gosh, I love those people, and then they bring an entirely new flavour back.'"
Meanwhile, the mysterious trio from Rhûn led by The Dweller (Bridie Sisson) appear to have been destroyed by The Stranger in the season 1 finale.
A definitive casualty was the wise Harfoot named Sadoc Burrows (Sir Lenny Henry) who perished in the finale at the hands of the figures from Rhûn, so it seems unlikely he would return.
However, when asked exclusively by RadioTimes.com while at the National Television Awards whether he would be back for season 2, Henry said: "I can't tell you, I would have to kill you."
Asked if he would want to be back he said: "Yeah, of course!"
Henry was speaking ahead of the finale airing, so it's possible he just wanted to keep his character's death a secret - but when dealing with a fantasy world, of course nothing is impossible.
Finally, King Tar-Palantír (Ken Blackburn) passed away in the finale, leaving questions about what will come next for his island kingdom of Númenor.
Elsewhere, the showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay teased new additions to the cast, including the Elven ring bearer named Círdan.
Patrick McKay stated: "I think it's come out that Círdan is going to be a character next season. So he's a ring bearer, as they say."
There will be multiple major characters from the canon of Tolkien’s work in addition to new original characters.
It is worth bearing in mind that the potential appearance of Galadriel’s husband Celeborn was previously hinted at by both actress Morfydd Clark and the showrunners.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Morfydd Clark discussed Galadriel's grief over Celeborn. She noted: "I feel that she thinks that he is dead. But she hasn't mentioned it to anyone else but Theo.
“And I took that as it's so painful to talk about - the fact that he might be gone - and so it's kind of even more so than her brother to a degree.”
She added: “So I feel that when or if we meet Celeborn, we will meet someone who truly knows Galadriel.”
Meanwhile, the first season confirmed that Elendil's other son Anárion exists in the show but lives in another part of Númenor. Could we see Anárion reunited with his father and siblings in the next season?
What could the plot of The Rings of Power season 2 be?
Recently, director Charlotte Brändström teased that season 2 will be "darker" and "edgier".
She said (via ScreenRant): “What I know and what I can say for a fact is that it's going to be darker, and it's going to be edgier and more character driven.
"I still think that we have some very interesting episodes coming up. I watched all of them over Christmas, just the cuts. I think it's going to be a very good season. We tried to make it more gritty, a little bit more dirty I guess. And not in the image, but to make it as authentic as possible. We have some very surprising twists and turns in it as well.”
Plus, there are multiple plot threads to continue in the second season of The Rings of Power. Firstly, the threat of Sauron remains, as does that of Adar and his Orcs in Mordor.
The future stability and existence of Nùmenor also remain a key issue, as does The Stranger’s quest to Rhûn with Nori Brandyfoot by his side.
The future of Elves, Dwarves and Harfoots are all of vital importance too, but the chief thread of all will be the uses and creations of the Rings of Power.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, McKay said: "'Why would Elves need rings? Why would they want rings? Why would this guy have an offer that would be tempting for them?' is very much what the entire first season is sort of building to.
"The first conversations about the show [revolved around] the idea of Galadriel on one journey, looking for a military solution to the darkness in Middle-earth, and Elrond on another journey going to Moria and trying to make an alliance that would be a solution to Middle-earth. And then, in the end, they would both fail and come together and someone would be there to say, 'I know a third way.' And so, the first season is about the Elven rings.
"The second season is very much about more rings. The song at the end, [of season 1], by Fiona Apple - which is like crazy dream come true - suggests there's Three, then there's Seven. Why would the Dwarves be desperate for rings? And how do they get seduced? And how do they get fooled? And then Men is an even more complex story.
"There are Nine leaders of Men who want power, and so each of those rings and the forging of them is not just like, 'Now the magic thing got made', but a story to be told. And I think there are other stories to be told as well, but certainly, we've kicked it off and next season is gonna go deeper into it."
Meanwhile, where does Sauron fit into the next season now his ruse as Halbrand has been exposed to Galadriel?
Actor Charlie Vickers told RadioTimes.com: "So I know where the next season is going. But obviously, I can't discuss that.'
However, he did tease of Sauron's relationship with Adar: "But it's certainly something that I was eager to discover and like things we've learned about as we've begun the second season, but there is a rich history there between the two of them. And I think that you see that in the sixth episode, you see that there's something complex and some kind of, you know, a long-standing relationship there. Which I think will be really interesting to watch unfold as the show goes on."
Is there a trailer for The Rings of Power season 2?
Not just yet – but we'll keep this page updated with the latest details.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 is on Amazon 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.
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.
