Throughout its first season, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has excelled at crafting both powerful drama and well-drawn characters. Whether Elf, Dwarf, Man, or Hobbit, the series is populated with individuals who are doing the best they can to survive in the Second Age, a time of marked conflict and growing threat and menace.
Some of these are fated to survive the events of the series and make their mark on the Third Age. Others, however, seem fated to die, either because they are not mentioned in the existing lore or simply because the story demands it of them.
Durin III
There are many great locations in Middle-earth, and one of the most majestic in this series is Khazad-dûm, the great accomplishment of the Dwarves. Their king, Durin III, is clearly a canny political strategist, someone who wants to see his people flourish.
Unfortunately, it also seems likely that he will have a tragic fate. In addition to being one of those who are gifted with one of the Rings of Power, he could very well be one of those who loses his life once the Balrog is unleashed from its hiding place deep within the earth in the compressed timeline of the show.
Durin IV
Already, the younger Durin has shown that he is one of this series’ most likable characters and may, in fact, be one of the best Dwarves in Tolkien lore. Affable and stubborn and gregarious, he is a perfect distillation of his people’s best and worst traits.
Likable though he is, however, it’s very likely that he will suffer the same fate as his father. Like so many of the other Dwarves living during this age, he will have to contend with the brutal reality of the Balrog’s rise. Though this event canonically occurs in the Third Age, it seems likely that the show will move it into the Second Age.
Gil-Galad
Tolkien's work is filled with many formidable Elves, one of the most notable of whom is Gil-Galad, the High King of Lindon. Though initially reluctant to believe that evil has returned to Middle-earth, he will have a very great role to play as one of those who lead the Last Alliance against Sauron.
Though it’s not yet clear just how far the events of the series will go, it seems likely that it will at least cover the time when Men and Elves ride out together. Thus, it seems likely that viewers will see his death while doing battle with the Dark Lord himself.
Elendil
Elendil is one of the rare Numenoreans who maintains a loyalty to the Elves and to the old ways of doing things. And, as book readers know, he will play a key role in the events of the series and of the Second Age generally, when he joins with Gil-galad to lead the armies against the might of Sauron.
Though it would be quite tragic to see him die, this does seem to be his likely fate, particularly since he is one of those who battles with Sauron himself. At the very least, however, he will get to die a hero’s death.
Pharazon
Pharazon is one of this series’ most intelligent and cunning characters, but he is also one who viewers shouldn’t trust. He knows how to manipulate others into doing his bidding, as he repeatedly shows with his ability to skew the opinion of his fellow Numenoreans.
However, brilliant as he is, he is also someone who is filled with pride, and this will ultimately be his downfall. When he leads the armies of Numenor to try to take Valinor, it will spell the doom of both himself and the very people he has sought to lead.
Celebrimbor
Celebrimbor is another key character in this series, though he tends to hover in the background. His will most likely be one of the most tragic fates of any character, as he is fated to fall under the sway of Sauron in his guise as Annatar.
Though he will eventually see the error of his ways, he will almost certainly lose his life in the conflict that arises between the Elves and the Dark Lord. If handled properly in the series, his story could end up being one of the most beautifully told and evocative of all.
Miriel
As the Queen Regent of Numenor, Miriel has the unenviable task of holding her island kingdom together (in that sense, she is very similar to her Lord of the Rings counterpart Denethor). However, for all of her efforts, it’s clear that she will probably not survive to the end.
Among other things, it seems likely that Pharazon will lead some sort of rebellion against her in an attempt to claim the throne for himself. Even if she doesn’t perish during those events, it’s more than likely that she will die in the downfall of Numenor itself, probably in an attempt to save others.
Isildur
Just as Lord of the Rings has many brave characters, the same can be said of The Rings of Power. Headstrong and foolish though he might be at times, there’s no doubt that when it comes down to it Isildur’s heart really is in the right place.
Unfortunately for him, it is precisely independence that will be his downfall. If, as seems likely, the series takes events to the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, viewers will get to see him cut the Ring from Sauron’s finger. Likewise, they could very well see his death at the Gladden Fields, after which the Ring will pass out of knowledge. It would be a suitably melancholic way to end the series.
Adar
Like all great fantasy villains, Adar hovers at the edge of the frame. Mysterious and yet utterly compelling, he is the perfect antagonist for the first season of the series.
While he is obviously a very important character–given how much the Orcs seem to revere and almost worship him–it seems more likely than not that he won’t be one of those who survive to the end of the series. It might well be that his death will set the stage for the ultimate return of Sauron himself, who will exert such an influence on the Second Age.
Kemen
Though he is still a relatively minor character, Kemen, the son of Pharazon, still has his own part to play in the unfolding drama. Aside from everything else, it’s clear that he is his father’s son, someone who is willing to use subterfuge and treachery to achieve his aims.
Like his father, however, he will also be one of those likely to perish in the downfall of Numenor. The Rings of Power will no doubt use his death, and that of so many others, as a warning of the dangers of mortal hubris.