Summary
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerwill change its protagonists for season 2 in a move that will probably benefit the show. The show has been busy expanding its cast for season 2, with familiar characters from Tolkien’s books set to join for the first time in season 2, along with new original characters. However, this is not the only change coming toThe Rings of Powerseason 2, with the series confirming that season 2 will be “darker” and “more gritty” (viaMovieZine, translation viaThe Yard), and will also shift its protagonist strategy.
In a print feature forTotal Film, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay revealed thatone of season 1’s characters will step in to replace Galadriel and “arguably become the principal protagonist.“AsThe Rings of Powerseason 1 finale revealed, Halbrand is actually Sauron, souring the relationship Galadriel formed with Halbrand. Now that Galadriel’s purpose as a character has seemingly been served, in exposing the titular villain ofLord of the Rings, it looks like her role will be reduced somewhat in season 2. If that happens, this will make way for a minor character from season 1 to step into the limelight.
Sauron’s Identity Fully Explained: All Your Questions Answered
Sauron’s identity has been a running theme throughout Amazon’s The Rings of Power. Here are all your questions answered after the season 1 finale.
Celebrimbor As The Rings Of Power Season 2’s Main Character Avoids S1’s Galadriel Problem
Celebrimbor Is A Good Choice For Season 2’s Focus
Speaking toTotal Film, showrunners revealed thatCelebrimbor will be their focus for season 2, which relieves the show of the risky business of portraying the much-loved Tolkien character Galadriel as the main character in most episodes. Galadriel is indisputably one ofthe best characters inThe Lord of the Rings, and her role in season 1 earned considerable attention, so moving away from her in any degree is a bold move. That said, the show faced a lot of criticism for its characterization of Galadriel, who was depicted as having certain qualities that weren’t on display in the movies.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerwill air on August 16, 2025.
In comparison to Galadriel, Celebrimbor is a more minor character inThe Lord of the Rings’Second Age. Out of the source material thatThe Rings of Powerhas the rights to adapt, Celebrimbor was mentioned throughout the appendices, rather than being embedded into the narrative itself. Celebrimbor’s role was described in more detail in J.R.R Tolkien’sThe Silmarillion, which the show will inevitably be drawing from for inspiration as much as it can. As such,this character presents fertile ground for exploration, without the rigid audience expectations that plagued Galadriel’s character in season 1.
The Rings Of Power Season 2 Focusing On Celebrimbor Returns The Show To Its Original Premise
Season 2 Will Resume Focus On Rings Of Power
Celebrimbor is actually central to the premise ofThe Rings of Power, which tells the story of Tolkien’s Second Age, specifically of the magical rings made by the Elven smiths of Eregion and Sauron. These rings are important in the plot ofThe Silmarillionand set up key story points for the Third Age inThe Lord of the Rings.Celebrimbor was the lead participant in Sauron’s “Rings of Power” project- one Elf that Sauron was able to deceive into helping him create the rings.
Sauron’s Elf disguise inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, as seen in the trailer, could be how Sauron worms his way into Celebrimbor’s good favor. The relationship between Sauron and Celebrimbor whilst they create the rings inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 will be “arguably the central relationship of the season,” according to the showrunners in their words toTotal Film,and will be “about temptation, manipulation, and corruption.“In centering Celebrimbor for season 2, the show can return to its original foundation, Sauron’s increasing control over Middle-earth via the Rings of Power.
What Will Galadriel’s Story Be In The Rings Of Power Season 2?
Galadriel is now seeking redemption.
WhereasThe Rings of Powerseason 1 was about Galadriel fighting a war most people did not believe was happening, season 2 will be about her seeking redemption. Galadriel finds out at the end of the first season that Sauron had tricked her this whole time, posing as the benevolent human Halbrand as he slowly won her trust. Having convinced Celebrimbor to take Halbrand’s advice and create the Rings of Power, Galadriel feels guilty about the danger Sauron poses to Middle-earth. Although this war was already personal for her, Galadriel will now feel it’s her responsibility to defeat Evil itself.
Even though Sauron was directly involved in creating the rings, Galadriel still believes those are necessary weapons in the war against evil.
That said,Galadriel did not tell Celebrimbor about Halbrand’s true identity at the end ofThe Rings of Powerseason 1. This was a curious outcome considering her entire story during the first season was about proving to others, especially the other Elves, that a dark force was threatening Middle-earth. Not only didn’t Galadriel tell the truth about Halbrand, but she also let Celebrimbor finish the forging of the Rings. Even thoughSauron was directly involved in creating the rings, Galadriel still believes those are necessary weapons in the war against evil.
Vilya
Gil-galad, Elrond
Galadriel herself will have a ring now, Nenya. The fact that Middle-earth’s only weapon against Sauron is something he helped create makes for a compelling story that will be expanded upon duringThe Rings of Powerseason 2. It will be interesting to see how different Galadriel’s character will be compared to the first season now that she is one of the three Elven ringbearers.Galadriel will have to balance guilt and responsibility, a promising arc that could end with her being closer to the book version of the character.
How Else The Rings Of Power Season 2 Will Be Different From Season 1
Audiences are in on Sauron’s con now.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 1 introduced many characters and followed many storylines, which was not surprising considering the Prime Video show was set to dive deep into Tolkien’s Middle-earth lore while also adding new ideas. Season 2, on the other hand, is expected to have a more streamlined story now that all paths converge. Speaking toEmpire,The Rings of PowershowrunnerPatrick McKay discussed one major difference between the new season and the previous one – audiences are now in on Sauron’s con.
Rings Of Power Season 2 Is Fixing A Big Season 1 Complaint (& It Looks Like That Was The Plan All Along)
A common Rings of Power complaint is being addressed in Prime Video’s season 2, but it looks as if this big change serves a larger purpose for LOTR.
Sauron has a new form inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, one that will help him trick Celebrimbor even further. According to McKay, all of the show’s stories “start to become one story” in season 2. This one story is“the way the re-emergence of Sauron touches everybody,”which brings a threat to the whole world. Although there were many theories about Halbrand’s true identity inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 1, Sauron’s role on the show was still somewhat of a mystery. However, in season 2, his plans and goals are much clearer.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
