Who is Pallando in The Rings of Power season 3?
The truth about the Dark Wizard has finally come to light in The Rings of Power season 3.
Prime Video
- Trent Cannon
Published: Wednesday, 11 November 2026 at 12:00 pm
Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for The Rings of Power season 3.
Ad
When The Rings of Power season 3 arrived on Prime Video, it revealed just how deep into Tolkien’s lore the showrunners were ready to delve, especially with the revelation that one of the most powerful wizards in Middle-earth, Pallando, was hiding right under our noses.
If you’re wondering just who Pallando is in The Rings of Power season 3, here is everything we know so far.
Who is Pallando in Rings of Power season 3?
Ciarán Hinds as Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power. Prime Video
In Rings of Power season 3, episode 3, it was revealed that the Dark Wizard who has been trying to recruit Gandalf since season 1 is actually Pallando, the Blue Wizard from Tolkien’s writings.
For those who haven’t read some of the more obscure writings of JRR Tolkien, the Blue Wizards were a group of Istari who travelled to the east of Middle-earth to try to weaken and circumvent Sauron. One of them was Pallando, who presumably failed in his quest.
It isn’t clear how Pallando failed to weaken Sauron in Tolkien's writings, whether he was seduced by the Dark Lord's power, was killed, or merely failed to make a definite difference. In The Rings of Power, it appears that Pallando has indeed become more like Saruman and covets Sauron’s power, judging by his behaviour as the Dark Wizard.
That ambiguity was intentional by the Rings of Power showrunners. "The story of the Blue Wizards and the idea of Blue Wizards who went east is such a tantalising piece of the lore," showrunner JD Payne told Radio Times.
"It was one of the first things we talked about wanting to explore in the show, reaching that moment and figuring out who they were, and what they were about and what happened to them and his eventual fate."
How does Pallando know Gandalf in Rings of Power season 3?
Watch trailer
Pallando knows Gandalf because they are both part of the same order. The Istari were all sent to Middle-earth to undermine and defeat Sauron. This is why Pallando referred to Gandalf as his "old friend" when the pair met at the end of season 2.
However, Gandalf’s journey has been very different from Pallando's. The past two seasons of Rings of Power were very much about Gandalf being shaped by his time with the Harfoots he travelled with.
"Season 1 was about [Gandalf] figuring out who he is, and season 2 is about how he controls his magic and what he's supposed to be doing in Middle-earth," explained Payne. He said that one storyline in Rings of Power season 3 was about him learning to use his power - and that isn’t always about displays of power.
"Part of why he’s in Middle-earth is to speak to the hearts of people and to take people who have turned to the darkness and try to turn them back to the light, and take people who have been estranged and try to bring them back into fellowship, to conquer a threat that is greater than either of them."
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
"It’s not just magic and spells and fighting and conflict," Daniel Weyman, who portrays Gandalf in The Rings of Power season 3, told Radio Times. "But there’s something that Gandalf understands about this word 'Friend' that the Dark Wizard has used at the end of season 2. And Gandalf's thinking, 'Well, hang on, if we were friends once, can I reconnect with that?'"
"Which I think is such a wonderful thing for Gandalf," Weyman added. "He does that. He warms the sort of embers of people's heart that have gone cold."
The Rings of Power season 3 is available to watch now on Prime Video.
Ad
Check out more of our Fantasy 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.
Authors
Trent Cannon
Ad
Ad
Get the Christmas double issue
Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...