The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Taking place during Middle-earth's Second Age, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power begins with the reemergence of a great evil known as Sauron. While many believe they have entered an age of peace, twenty rings of power are forged in an attempt to corrupt the minds of men, dwarves and elves. The Amazon Studios adaptation condenses many stories from Tolkien's original works into a shorter timeframe.

What to know

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a fantasy TV series produced by Amazon Studios. The TV show is based on the stories and lore within J. R. R. Tolkien's iconic fantasy novels. The Amazon Prime Video series focuses on a previously unadapted time period: The Second Age. In Tolkien's lore, this is when men with Elvish heritage settle on the star-shaped island of Númenor and the fallen Maia known as Sauron makes an unexpected return.

As one of the most expensive TV shows of all time, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is Amazon Studio's most ambitious production. The TV show's subtitle, The Rings of Power, refers to the magical rings forged as part of a devious trick. The rings of power are twenty magical rings forged in the Second Age, created in an attempt to corrupt the most powerful rulers of Middle-earth.

The TV show follows characters from the many different races and regions of Middle-earth. It stars Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Robert Aramayo as Elrond, Joseph Mawle as Oren, Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad and Lenny Henry as Sadoc Burrows.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an Amazon Original series and was released to streaming on Amazon Prime Video on September 2nd, 2022.

Production: Timeline, news & updates

• November 13th, 2017: In a $250 million deal, Amazon completes an agreement to purchase television rights for The Lord of the Rings. The studio announces plans to develop a five-season production with a collective worth of $1 billion. The deal makes the show the most expensive series of all time. (Source: Hollywood Reporter)
• June 11th, 2018: A Q&A with Amazon Studios Head Jennifer Salke revealed that the studio had been involved in talks with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson to discuss potential involvement. Salke also explained that the series was not a remake of the movies, but there will be beloved characters involved. (Source: Deadline)
• July 18th, 2018: Amazon studios taps JD Payne and Patrick McKay to develop the series. The duo released the following statement: “The rich world that J.R.R. Tolkien created is filled with majesty and heart, wisdom and complexity. We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Amazon to bring it to life anew. We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care — it is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime.” (Source: Hollywood Reporter)
• May 21st, 2019: After signing an overall deal with Amazon studios, Game of Thrones writer and co-executive producer Bryan Cogman agrees to consult on the series. (Source: Variety)
• July 3rd, 2019: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom director Juan Antonio (J.A.) Bayona is hired to direct multiple episodes of season 1. Bayona will also executive produce the season alongside his producing partner, Belén Atienza. (Source: Deadline)
• July 27th, 2019: More members of the show’s creative team are announced with an official announcement trailer. This includes Lindsey Weber (10 Cloverfield Lane), Bruce Richmond (Game of Thrones), Gene Kelly (Boardwalk Empire) and Tal Yguado. Also joining the team is writer/executive producer Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad); writer/executive producer Jason Cahill (The Sopranos) writer/executive producer Justin Doble (Stranger Things). The announcement trailer also features detailed maps of Middle-earth in the Second Age. This confirms that the show will center on the Second Age and will show previously unseen lands such as Númenor – a kingdom of Men brought up out of the sea by the Valar in the early Second Age. (Source: Deadline)
• December 27th, 2019: Welsh actress Morfydd Clark is cast as Galadriel. (Source: Variety)
• January 14th, 2020: Amazon studios reveals more members of the show’s cast. This includes Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers and Daniel Weyman. Will Poulter had joined The Lord of the Rings TV series in September 2019, but later exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. (Source: Deadline)
• March 24th, 2021: Director Wayne Che Yip is announced as the show’s co-executive producer. He released the following statement: “It is a true honor to be invited into the world of Tolkien by J.D. & Patrick and Amazon Studios. Every day I look forward to working with the incredible team here in New Zealand as we humbly contribute to the legacy of the greatest stories ever told.” (Source: Variety)
• January 19th, 2022: The show’s first teaser trailer is released. It features close-ups of metal being forged. The metal sets on a board and eventually reveals the show’s official title: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. (Source: Youtube)
• January 19th, 2022: On the day of the show’s teaser trailer release, Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos posts an Instagram image of himself leaning on the board. The post includes the following captain: “Coming this September 2nd. Can’t wait for you to see it.” (Source: Instagram)
• February 5th, 2022: Amazon Studios releases 23 character posters. Each poster shows a different character’s hands. The images show a wide range of characters from different backgrounds – they include gold-covered hands, dirty-filled fingernails and what appears to be Sauron’s gauntlet. (Source: Amazon Studios)
• February 14th, 2022: The first trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is revealed during an advertising campaign at the Super Bowl LVI. The trailer shows Tolkien’s expansive world and a series of new characters. The trailer also shows actress Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, who is seen climbing snowy mountainous terrain. (Source: Amazon Studios)
• July 6th, 2022: A 15-second teaser trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is released on YouTube. (Source: YouTube)
• July 22, 2022: A full trailer for Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is released at San Diego Comic Con and then online also. It shows the epic scale of the series, the battle to come in The Rings of Power, and teases the origin of Sauron. The epic trailer also reveals that the show will include the Balrog, a fan-favorite creature surrounded by shadow and flame. (Source: Polygon)
• July 22, 2022: A full trailer for Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is released at San Diego Comic Con and then online also. It shows the epic scale of the series, the battle to come in The Rings of Power, and teases the origin of Sauron. The epic trailer also reveals that the show will include the Balrog, a fan-favorite creature surrounded by shadow and flame. (Source: Polygon)
• August 17, 2022: A new character-specific trailer is released showing one of the main leads of the show: Galadriel. It details the motivation that drives her and teases an encounter with a troll. (Source: ScreenRant)
• August 21, 2022: The first two episodes are set to release in select theatres worldwide. (Source: Variety)
• August 23, 2022: A new full-length trailer for the show is released. It shows Galadriel as one of the key protagonists of the series and showcases the music of the series composed by Bear McCreary.(Source: Deadline)
• September 2, 2022: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power premieres on Amazon Prime Video.