Summary

• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is in the works despite mixed reception of the first season, showing Amazon's commitment to the fantasy TV genre.
• Changes made by Amazon to characters and lore in The Rings of Power season 2 have raised skepticism among Tolkien scholars and fans.
• The release date for The Rings of Power season 2 is not confirmed yet, but season 2 will now arrive in 2024.

It will be some time before The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 release date arrives, but it is on the way, as the mixed reception of the first season hasn't stopped Amazon from plowing ahead with their Lord of the Rings adaptation. Game of Thrones has had an enduring impact on the television industry, proving the interest in long-form fantasy TV shows. Studios and networks have naturally worked to fill the vacuum after it concluded, and Amazon Studios' The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power — inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's notes and appendices — has been one of the biggest contenders.

The Rings of Power is set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. The Prime Video series is an origin story of sorts for the One Ring forged by Sauron to rule them all, as covered briefly in the opening of The Fellowship Of The Ring. The Rings of Power season 1 served as something of a "mystery box," focusing on apparently original characters whose true identities were deeply established in Tolkien's lore. With those secrets now revealed, The Rings of Power season 2 will enter one of the most exciting periods in Middle-earth's history.

Latest Rings Of Power Season 2 News

A Release Window Is Revealed

The long wait for the upcoming second season of the epic Tolkien adaptation is slowly coming to an end as the latest news sees a release window for Rings of Power season 2 finally revealed. Though it lacks the specifics that many fans may want, it has now been confirmed that the Amazon Prime Video exclusive will return sometime in 2024. The report also indicated that work has already begun on the third season of the series, suggesting there is even more Middle Earth excitement in the future.

The Rings Of Power Season 2 Is Confirmed

Tolkien's Vision Of Middle Earth Continues

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 was ordered by Amazon Prime Video shortly after the conclusion of season 1. Production on The Rings of Power season 2 moved from New Zealand to the United Kingdom. Showrunner Patrick McKay explained this felt appropriate given Tolkien was "writing about his own backyard," and it didn't feel right to shoot on the other side of the globe. "Suffice to say," he added, "in the story, in Tolkien’s world, journeys to other lands are a major recurring theme" (via Variety).

The Rings Of Power Season 2 Production Status

Season 2 Arrives Sometime In 2024

There's no confirmed release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 yet. However, Prime Video has revealed that the series will return sometime in 2024. Since production wrapped before the 2023 Hollywood strikes, the Rings of Power never had to stop work on their lengthy post-production process. With that in mind, the most likely release time will be summer, which will allow The Rings of Power to compete with the returning Game of Thrones prequel series The House of the Dragon.

The Hollywood strikes of 2023 involved the WGA strike (May-September 2023) and the SAG-AFTRA strike (July-November) which saw writers and actors strike in solidarity for fair pay and working conditions.

Rings Of Power Season 2 Cast

Who Returns To Middle Earth In Season 2?

It is expected that most of the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power cast will return for season 2, including Morfydd Clarke as Galadriel, Markella Kavanaugh as Nori, and Robert Aramayo as Elrond. Amazon has also confirmed eight new names joining the cast in currently undisclosed roles, including Oliver Alvn-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, William Chubb, and Kevin Eldon (via Deadline). Eldon in particular is already experienced with high-fantasy settings thanks to his portrayal of Camello in Game of Thrones.

Also joining the Rings of Power season 2 cast are Ciarán Hinds, known for his role as the king of the Wildlings, Mance Rayder, from Game of Thrones. Rory Kinnear, best known as Bill Tanner from Daniel Craig's Bond trilogy, will also feature, as will Tanya Moodie (Star Wars' General Parnadee). Sam Hazeldine will be replacing Joseph Mawle as Adar in the Rings of Power season 2 cast. Amazon's Vernon Sanders didn't offer much of an explanation when interviewed. While he lauded Mawle's performance, the only explanation he could give was "unfortunately, it didn't work out" (via Gamespot).

The returning cast of Rings of Power season 2 is expected to include:

Related: Rings Of Power Season 2: Every New & Returning Character

What We Know About The Rings Of Power Season 2's Story

Season 2 Has A Lot In Store

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 story will continue to tell the story of Middle-earth's Second Age. Season 1 ended with the three elven rings forged and, unlike in Tolkien's novels, mithril is the key to their creation. The forging of more rings will require more mithril, meaning the ongoing story of Khazad-dûm and the Balrog that lurks beneath the mines will surely be important. Meanwhile, Gandalf is journeying to the lands of Rhûn, an area Tolkien never really explored but seems to be significant in the Rings of Power season 2 story.

There have been reports of a massive, two-episode-long battle sequence (via Winter is Coming). This may well be instigated by Sauron, whose identity has been revealed and who will presumably take control of the Orcs in Mordor in season 2. As for Galadriel, actor Morfydd Clark has said that The Rings of Power season 2 will see a very different version of her character. Galadriel has a new outlook after the events of the prior season, and it will come across in her character. "And now she’s kind of thinking about the world and like, finding joy in things a bit more, despite the darkness. So that’s been really fun to play with," Clark revealed.

Related: The Rings Of Power Season 2 Story (As We Know It)

The New LotR Movie Isn't Connected To Rings Of Power

Two Separate Interpretations Of Tolkien's Universe

Warner Bros. announced a new trilogy of Lord of the Rings movies was in development. However, Rings of Power and the new Lord of the Rings movies aren't connected. The upcoming LotR movies are coming from Warner Bros. and New Line, a continuation of Peter Jackson's original franchise. Amazon isn't involved in any way, and the two projects share nothing beyond the spiritual kinship of both being Tolkien adaptations.

Amazon Studios' Jennifer Salke has already spoken up on this, and isn't worried about Rings of Power sharing the Tolkien fandom with a new feature-length trilogy. Speaking to Variety, Salke confidently stated "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." It's clear that the creative team behind The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 welcomes the competition.