The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 has recast a major character and adds six other actors to its already massive ensemble. In 2017, Amazon purchased the television rights to Lord of the Rings and made a five-season commitment to Rings of Power worth at least $1 billion, making it the most expensive television series ever made. Set during the Second Age of Middle-earth, Rings of Power premiered September 1 on Prime Video, and before the season 1 finale had aired, season 2 had already begun filming in early October.

Now, the first casting update for Rings of Power season 2 is here directly from Amazon. Seven new actors have joined the show's massive international cast, including one surprising recasting. Game of Thrones alum Joseph Mawle, who played the Orc leader Adar, will be replaced by Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders) for season 2. Other additions, whose roles are unknown, are Gabriel Akuwudike (Hanna), Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour (The Witcher), Ben Daniels (Jupiter’s Legacy), Nia Towle (Persuasion), Nicholas Woodeson (Rome), and Amelia Kenworthy making her television debut.

Related: How The Southlands Turns Into Mordor (LOTR Map & Full Explanation)

Everything We Know About LOTR: Rings Of Power Season 2

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Rings of Power season 2 is currently in production in the United Kingdom, as opposed to New Zealand, where season 1 and Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed. Journeying to distant unknown lands is a major recurring theme in J.R.R. Tolkien's work and Rings of Power season 2 will follow suit with the Stranger and Nori traveling East to the never-before-seen lands of Rhûn. Few plot details have been confirmed, though showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay have teased a massive, multi-episode battle sequence, likely instigated by Sauron as he takes control of the Orcs in Mordor.

Other than Sam Hazeldine taking over as Adar, it's unknown what characters this new crop of talented actors will play. One of them is likely playing Círdan, with reports indicating the major elf character who opposes Sauron will appear in season 2. Despite Galadriel claiming her husband had been killed, Celeborn could appear in Rings of Power season 2. Now that the first casting update for Rings of Power season 2 has arrived, it's clear the show will continue opting for more relatively unknown actors from all around the world.

Unfortunately, audiences will have to wait quite a while to return to Middle-earth. According to McKay, production on Rings of Power season 2 could take years considering the show's epic production scale. With this timeline in mind, this means Rings of Power season 2 wouldn't premiere until 2024 at the earliest. For now, fans can revisit The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 with all eight episodes streaming on Prime Video.

More: 1 Rings Of Power Theory Could Explain Why The Elves Are Dying

Source: Amazon