The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerjoined Amazon Prime Video in 2022 to critical acclaim, with a wide range of characters that grew even wider for season 2. Based on high fantasy pioneer J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, the show tackled tales set inthe Second Age of Middle-earth. The show has the rights to adapt Tolkien’sThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings,plus its appendices, which outline the story thatThe Rings of Poweris telling in detail. The show created original characters and original material to fit in and around Tolkien’s source material, and also brought classic Tolkien characters to life.
The Rings of Powerseason 2opens with Celebrimbor as “arguably the principal protagonist,” joining Galadriel, Nori, the Stranger, Elrond, and Durin as focal points of the show. Showrunners confirmed this tidbit of information about Celebrimbor toTotal Filmin a print feature, along with confirmation that season 2 homes in on Sauron, and shows his story like never before. Sauron is the common thread tying together the disparate narratives ofRings of Power’smany characters, ensuring a dramatic season that connects all its plotlines.
Tolkien character
Original character
Unknown identity
The Rings of Power’s Unseen Realm Explained
The Unseen realm and the powers drawn from it will play a huge part in Rings of Power Season 2 since the Stranger and Ringwraiths are tied to it.
Charlie Vickers As Sauron
Date Of Birth: July 11, 2025
Actor:Charlie Vickers was born in Australia andreally broke big inThe Rings of Power, with a few roles under his belt before that. Before coming toThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Charlie Vickers played Dan in the Australian moviePalm Beach, and Guglielmo Pazzi in Netflix’sMedici: Masters of Florence. Vickers starred opposite Sean Bean inMediciand alongside Sigourney Weaver in the Amazon OriginalThe Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
2018
2019
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart
2023
Character:Vickers' experience led him to audition for the role of Elrond inThe Rings of Power, but showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay thought he would make a good Sauron. Resultantly, they had him audition by reading out Satan’s lines from John Milton’sParadise Lost, hinting at what was to come for Vickers.The Rings of Powerseason 1 finaleconfirmed that Vickers' original character, Halbrand, had been Sauron all along. Now that the cat is out of the bag,Vickers is free to play Sauron in all his evil gloryin season 2.
Morfydd Clark As Galadriel
Date Of Birth: July 15, 2025
Actor:Welsh actress Morfydd Clark was astounding in the titular role forSaint Maud, amassing a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The 2019 British psychological horror movie set Clark up well for a scary season 2 ofThe Rings of Power.Clark’s role as Maud won her a BAFTA Cymruand a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Clark also played Sister Clara in the notable TV fantasyHis Dark Materials, and starred inThe Personal History of David Copperfield.
The release date ofThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 is July 20, 2025.
His Dark Materials
Character:Galadriel was significantly brought to the public consciousness by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson’s movies, setting Clark up with big shoes to fill.Clark’s role inThe Rings of Powergot her notable press, and an incredibly mixed reaction from viewers. What some viewers criticized was exactly what others viewers loved, which spoke to the universality of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. Tolkien is one of the most widely-read authors in the English language, and Clark brought Tolkien’s famous character, Galadriel, to a much wider audience.
Charles Edwards As Celebrimbor
Date Of Birth: July 02, 2025
Actor:Charles Edwards starred inThe Crown,The Terror, andDownton Abbey, making up a somewhat noble set of roles that position him perfectly to play Noldor Noble Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor is a High Elf, descended from one of the original great families of Elves, so Edwards' ability to convincingly portray aristocracy was imperative for his role inThe Rings of Power.Charles Edwards was also inDiana,Sherlock, andMidsomer Murders.
2013
The Crown
2020
Character:Charles Edwards steps into the limelight in season 2, whereas he offered a supporting role in season 1. This change is marked by season 2’s shift to focusing on the forging of more Rings of Power. In Tolkien’s work,Celebrimbor was a power player of the Second Age, helping Sauron to forge the rings, weapons that would define the history of Middle-earth.Sauron’s deception of Celebrimbor inRings of Powerseason 2is one of the main storylines of the season.
Markella Kavenagh As Nori
Date Of Birth: June 03, 2025
Actor:Markella Kavenagh plays Nori, full name Elanor Brandyfoot, inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and previously starred in an assortment of TV roles.The Australian actress really broke through inThe Rings of Power, but earned some recognition from her role in the critically acclaimed 2020 movieMy First Summer.Kavenagh also starred inTrue History of the Kelly Gangin 2018, amassing experience in action and drama that suits her role as Nori.
My First Summer
Character:Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot is one ofthe Harfoots inRings of Power, a pre-Hobbit race that eventually led to Hobbits forming as a community, with Frodo’s ancestors eventually settling in Eriador.Harfoots inThe Rings of Powerare joined by Stoors in season 2, with standout Stoor roles played by Gavi Singh Chera and Tanya Moodie. Stoors and Fallohides are the other two pre-Hobbit races described by J.R.R. Tolkien inThe Lord of the Rings.
Robert Aramayo As Elrond
Date Of Birth: June 28, 2025
Actor:Robert Aramayo plays Tolkien legend Elrond, best known from Peter Jackson’s remarkableLord of the Ringsmovies. English actor Aramayo played not just a version of Elrond younger than the version popularized inThe Lord of the Ringsmovies, but a younger version of Eddard Stark in the popular HBO fantasy seriesGame of Thrones.Aramayo notably acted in the incredibleNocturnal Animals, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon. This dark thriller is sure to be a valuable experience for Aramayo enteringRings of Power’sgritty season 2.
2016
2017
Antebellum
Character:Elrond Half-elven was born from two Half-elven parents, Eärendil and Elwing - both of great renown in Tolkien’s world.Elrond was played by the inimitable Hugo Weavingin Jackson’s movies. Weaving, also famous for playing Mr. Smith inThe Matrixmovies, offered “apologies to Robert,” speaking toRadio Times, for not having yet seenRings of Power, but said that he was “sure he’s great.” Weaving’s seal of approval comes after Aramayo played a lesser-know Second Age version of his High Elf Elrond inThe Rings of Power, offering Tolkien fans a different perspective on the much-loved Noldorin.
Owain Arthur As Durin IV
Date Of Birth: July 01, 2025
Actor:Welsh actor Owain Arthur spent a lot of time treading the boards in Shakespeare plays before joining the cast ofThe Rings of Poweras red-headed Dwarf Durin IV. The earthiness of Arthur’s Welsh accent and heritage, plus his experience in quintessentially British drama, mark him out as a good candidate for one of Tolkien’s Dwarvish nobles.Owain Arthur may be recognized from his work inThe One and Only Ivan,A Confession, andCasualty.
The One and Only Ivan
Character:Durin IV plays the son of King Durin and the heir to the mighty kingdom of Khazad-dûm. Starring alongside Sophia Nomvete inThe Rings of Power, Owain’s Durin had a wife called Disa (Nomvete’s character) in season 1. Disa and Durin become even more important in season 2 as they wrestle with Sauron’s hold on Durin’s father.Durin IV will have his friendship with Elrond once again put to the testas Sauron rises in Middle-earth.
Daniel Weyman As The Stranger
Date Of Birth: 1977
Actor:Born in Newcastle, UK, Daniel Weyman representsThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’smysterious Stranger. Weyman is also known for his role inSilent Witnessas Max Thorndyke and his role as Dr Kenny inGentleman Jack. With various TV dramas under his belt,Weyman developed significant renown as the Stranger, courting rumors ofthe Stranger’s real identity inRings of Power.
2004
Silent Witness
Character:Having befriended Markella Kavenagh’s Nori inThe Rings of Powerseason 1,the Stranger follows his heart, nose, and destinytothe eastern land of Rhûnin season 2. This is a dangerous journey for the Stranger and Nori, with Rhûn ruled by mysterious forces, many of which have an inclination toward a certain Dark Lord.
Ismael Cruz Córdova As Arondir
Date Of Birth: August 19, 2025
Actor:Born and raised in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico,Ismael Cruz Córdova plays the original character ArondirinThe Rings of Power. The actor, now living in New York, is also known for his work inThe Undoing,Ray Donovan, andSesame Street. Córdova’s role in influential director Guillermo del Toro’s intriguingCabinet of Curiositiesstands him in good stead to tackle the darker twists and turns inThe Rings of Powerseason 2.
Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities
2022
Character:Arondir’s storyline was tied in with that of Nazanin Boniadi’s Bronwyn and Tyroe Muhafidin’s Theo, protecting or guarding their people, depending on how villagers chose to see it.Arondir’s Elf was an action heromade for aLord of the Ringsadaptation, and his journey in season 2 sees him come face to face with some of Middle-earth’s most famous creatures. Arondir is guaranteed to continue to be one ofThe Rings of Power’smost powerful original characters long into season 2.
Lloyd Owen As Elendil
Date Of Birth: August 16, 2025
Actor:Lloyd Owen plays the legendary Tolkien character Elendil, whose impact on Middle-earth can’t be overstated. Lloyd Owen was inMiss PotterandApollo 18, butThe Rings of Powerpropelled him to recognition all around the world. Lloyd starred inSilent Witnesslike Daniel Weyman and inMidsomer Murderslike Charles Edwards. His experience in British TV classics positions him well to play the stoic Elendil, destined for great things inRings of Power.
2015
Wonderwell
Character:Elendil is a Captain of Númenor and an “Elf-friend,” as his name indicates. Descended from the Lords of Andúnië and a leader of the Faithful,Elendil’s family tradition honors the Elvish influence in Númenorand friendship with the Elves.The Rings of Powerseason 1 touched on how this occasionally conflicted with the island kingdom’s rulership, and season 2 is sure to follow this thread further.
Maxim Baldry As Isildur
Date Of Birth: June 30, 2025
Actor:Half-English and half-Russian, Maxim Baldry was born in Surrey, UK, and went on to play the iconic Tolkien character Isildur inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.Baldry starred in numerous iconic stalwarts of British TV, fromSkinsandHollyoaksto the legendaryDoctor Who. Baldry was also inMr. Bean’s Holiday, proving his diversity as an actor.
Doctor Who
Character:Baldry’s Isildur is a character featured in the prologue to Jackson’s movies, proving thatthis Second Age human never gets forgotten inLord of the Rings. His story is a dramatic one, marked by highs and lows, which season 2 will only just start to touch on. A newRings of Poweroriginal character joining Isilduron his journey in season 2 will throw a spanner in the works of his narrative - or, possibly, set him on exactly the right path.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson As Míriel
Date Of Birth: June 04, 2025
Actor:Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s long-suffering Queen Regent Míriel endured a lot inThe Rings of Powerseason 1, and Míriel’s path in season 2 looks just as mottled with dangers. Cynthia Addai-Robinson, on the other hand, is enjoying smooth sailing in her career.The English-born actress moved to the US when she was four, starring as Alicia in the critically acclaimedColombianamovie. Addai-Robinson’s roles inCSI,NCIS, andThe Accountantalso earned her global recognition.
2011
The Accountant
Character:Queen Regent Míriel finished offThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 1 with the minor problems of total blindness and the obliteration of her army in the Southlands, but Lloyd Owen’s Elendil provides a shoulder to cry on in season 2.Míriel’s problems will also reach a head with her political peer, Ar-Pharazôn, who has his own ideas about how to run the island kingdom of Númenor.
Trystan Gravelle As Ar-Pharazôn
Date Of Birth: July 08, 2025
Actor:Trystan Gravelle’s lordly Ar-Pharazôn was a big presence inThe Rings of Powerseason 1 and is set to cause an even bigger disturbance inThe Rings of Powerseason 2.Trystan Gravelle’s role inUtopiaset the scene for his morally ambivalent Pharazôn, while he also played Christopher Marlowe in the crime thrillerAnonymous. Gravelle’s work in the moviesBeastandOne Chancedemonstrated his wide range as an actor.
2014
Great Expectations
Character:Ar-Pharazôn is a character pulled from Tolkien’sLord of the Ringsappendices and fleshed out inThe Silmarillion. Among Tolkien’s various works, Pharazôn is described as a complex figure who will ultimately lead Númenor to its cataclysmic fate.The Rings of Powerseason 2 is setting up Pharazôn to start making difficult decisionsin line with his canon story.
Sam Hazeldine As Adar
Date Of Birth: July 01, 2025
Actor:Stepping in toThe Rings of Powerseason 2 to replace the brilliant Joseph Mawle as Adar,Sam Hazeldine can boast of roles in the best fantasy TVaround, promising a confident turn as Adar. Hazeldine has been inGame of Thrones,The Witcher, andThe Sandman, which makes him a mainstay of fantasy TV, and a key player in defining the genre.
The Witcher
Character: Hazeldine’s Adar is a notoriously complex figure inThe Rings of Power, offering a unique Uruk in the world ofLord of the Rings. Adar is morally ambivalent, going so far as to compare himself to Galadriel. This comparison will be all too relevant in season 2 as the two are both forced to reckon with the rise of their mutual enemy, Sauron.
Supporting Cast & Characters In The Rings of Power
Returning Characters For Season 2
Most of the cast ofThe Rings of Powerwill return in season 2 to comprise their well-established roles.Nazanin Boniadi stepped down as Bronwyn, leaving Arondir without a love interest. There has been no news of a recast for Bronwyn. Adar was recast from Joseph Mawle to Sam Hazeldine. Apart from that, major characters like Gil-galad and Disa will resume their storylines from season 1 and the bulk ofThe Rings of Powercast is set to continue their arcs from season 1. Poppy, Theo, Disa, Kemen, and Eärien will all be impacted by Sauron in season 2, leading to the darkest season yet.
New Characters For Season 2
The Rings of Powermade a number of additions to its cast for season 2, bringing in talent from across movies and theater to provide a varied set of experience. WithRory Kinnear notably joiningRings of Poweras Tom Bombadil, other Tolkien characters to be portrayed for the first time on the show in season 2 are Narvi and Círdan.Some cast members have been confirmed with no role announced, so it remains to be seen which other Tolkien characters and original characters will join proceedings inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2.
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.
