The Rings of Power season 2: Prime Video release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more

The Rings of Power season 2 is out in full now. After being forged in the fires of Mount Doom for almost two years, the wildly successful Prime Video show's next installment has magicked its ways onto the streamer, so it's time to re-immerse yourself in all things Middle-earth.

Before you check out The Rings of Power's latest season, be sure to read our spoiler-light review of The Rings of Power season 2's three-episode premiere. Once you have, you can continue reading through this guide for more information on one of the best Prime Video shows' return. You'll find more details on its release schedule, confirmed cast, plot details, various trailers, and the Amazon TV series' future, so there's plenty to catch up on.

Major spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1. Potential spoilers for season 2 are also on the way, so proceed at your own risk.

The Rings of Power season 2 latest news

Check out the latest news surrounding the show's latest season, including multiple exclusives from our season 2 finale chats with the series' cast:

• The Rings of Power season 2 ending explained: who dies, The Stranger's name revealed, will there be a season 3, and more big questions answered
• 'There's an order of events to come': The Rings of Power's Cynthia Addai-Robinson teases 'exciting' but 'tragic' season 3 arc for Míriel
• 'I'm still pretty shocked': The Rings of Power's Daniel Weyman hasn't come to terms with who he's really playing after The Stranger's 'exciting' name reveal
• 'A very astute observation': The Rings of Power's Elrond and Gil-Galad actors drop a big hint about the elves' new safe haven in the season 2 finale
• 'The next piece of the puzzle': The Rings of Power's Charlie Vickers has some big hopes for Sauron's season 3 arc – and one includes making the One Ring
• 'The intention was to be controversial': The Rings of Power's Robert Aramayo defends divisive season 2 scene between Elrond and Galadriel

The Rings of Power season 2 release date

The Rings of Power season 2 made its debut on Thursday, August 29 with a three-episode premiere. Its release date was confirmed in The Rings of Power season 2's first trailer, which also proved lessons have been learned from season 1 (more on why later). 

All eight episodes are out now on Prime Video, too, so you can binge watch it until your heart's content.

The Rings of Power season 2 trailer

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 – Official Trailer | Prime Video - YouTube

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The Rings of Power season 2's final trailer was released on August 13, and teased everything from the brutal, lengthy Siege of Eregion to what appears to be young Saruman. Let's hope we find out if this is the Istari's commander-in-chief this season, rather than be forced to wait another two years for season 3 to potentially provide an answer.

Anyway, did you miss the second trailer, which was one of nine huge announcements that wowed us at San Diego Comic-Con 2024? Watch it below and then read our The Rings of Power season 2 official trailer breakdown article to learn more about the secrets housed within.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 – SDCC Trailer | Prime Video - YouTube

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There's plenty more footage where that came from. Season 2's first trailer, which arrived in mid-May, hinted at a much darker installment, and teased it'll adapt Middle-earth's lore and history more closely than its predecessor. Read our The Rings of Power season 2's first trailer breakdown article for more on its biggest talking points, or read yet another breakdown piece – this time on a season 2 behind-the-scenes featurette – that's hiding six secrets in plain sight.

The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power - Official Teaser Trailer | Prime Video - YouTube

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The Rings of Power season 2 cast: confirmed and rumored

Major spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1. Potential season 2 cast spoilers are also discussed.

Here's The Rings of Power season 2's incredibly long cast list so far:

• Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
• Charlie Vickers as Sauron/Halbrand/Annatar
• Robert Aramayo as Elrond
• Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad
• Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor
• Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir
• Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Queen Regent Míriel
• Lloyd Owen as Elendil
• Maxim Baldry as Isildur
• Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
• Ema Horvath as Eärien
• Leon Wadham as Kemen
• Owain Arthur as Prince Durin IV
• Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa
• Peter Mullan as King Durin III
• Markella Kavenagh as Eleanor 'Nori' Brandyfoot
• Megan Richards and Poppy Proudfellow
• Daniel Weyman as The Stranger
• Sam Hazeldine as Adar
• Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo
• Alex Tarrant as Valandil
• Geoff Morrell as Waldreg
• Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil
• Ben Daniels as Cirdan the Shipwright
• Kevin Eldon as Narvi
• Nia Towle as Estrid
• Amelia Kenworthy as Mirdania
• Ciaran Hinds as Dark Wizard

The Rings of Power season 1 finale revealed Halbrand was the human disguise for Sauron, aka The Lord of the Rings' primary antagonist. In season 2, we'll see plenty more of the Maiar, albeit as Annatar, the so-called Lord of Gifts who Sauron masquerades as to fool Celebrimbor and his fellow elven-smiths into helping him to craft more of the titular rings.

We expect to see Dylan Smith's Largo Brandyfoot, Sara Zwangobani's Marigold Brandyfoot, Maxine Cunliffe's Vilma, and Thusitha Jayasundera' Malva, too, but their appearances depend on whether the rest of the Harfoot community will return.

As for who won't be back, the biggest omission is Nazanin Boniadi, who played Bronwyn in season 1. She confirmed (via Instagram) she won't be returning. Joseph Mawle isn't reprising his season 1 role of Adar, either, with The Rings of Power season 2 dropping one of its big name stars in December 2022. He'll be portrayed by Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders) this time around. Lenny Henry's Sadoc Burrows and The Mystics, who died in season 1 episode 8, won't be back, too.

On the newcomer front, the characters played by five of 17 actors, who were previously announced for season 2, have been revealed. First, The Rings of Power season 2 will include a fan-favorite character in a live-action Lord of the Rings project for the very first time: Tom Bombadil, who'll be played by James Bond alumnus Rory Kinnear.

Next, Nia Towle (Persuasion) is on board as Estrid, a new character who'll cross paths with Isildur and could have big lore implications regarding the latter (per IGN). Ben Daniels (Foundation) is playing Cirdan the Shipwright and, in the source material, he's Lord of the Falathrim in the First Age and owned one of the titular rings – Narya – before passing it onto Gandalf. Benjamin Walker, who plays High King Gil-galad, has teased (via Nerdist) that Cirdan will be an "important influence" on his character.

Elsewhere, Entertainment Weekly (EW) revealed Kevin Eldon (Game of Thrones) is portraying Narvi the dwarf. Celebrimbor actor Charles Edwards previously told TechRadar he wanted to see the deep-cut dwarf character make their live-action debut in season 2, so he's got his wish. Harry Potter alumnus Ciaran Hinds is also on board as another mysterious Istar, who's simply known as the Dark Wizard (for now, anyway...). Lastly on the newcomer front (for now), Polygon confirmed Amelia Kenworthy has been cast as Mirdania, one of Celebrimbor's elven smith protégés and whose "loyalty will be tested when an unexpected visitor [Annatar] arrives in Eregion."

As for else will show up, here are the remaining 11 actors whose character identities weren't disclosed ahead of this season's premiere:

• William Chubb (The Sandman)
• Will Keen (His Dark Materials)
• Selina Lo (Hellraiser)
• Calum Lynch (Bridgerton)
• Stuart Bowman (Alex Rider)
• Gavi Singh Chera (The Lazarus Project)
• Oliver Alvin-Wilson (Lovesick)
• Yasen "Zates" Atour (Young Wallander)
• Gabriel Akuwudike (1917)
• Nicholas Woodeson (Rome)
• Tanya Moodie (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker)

Cirdan isn't the only new elf who could feature. In season 1 episode 7, Galadriel name-checked Celeborn, the elf she's wedded to and who she presumes is dead. However, Tolkien fans know he's still alive at this point in time, so a reunion between them, plus the pair making the city of Lothlórien their permanent home, seems likely. Speaking at a press event attended by TechRadar in late 2022, co-showrunner Patrick McKay refused to confirm Celeborn will appear in season 2, but comments he made during the show's season 2 panel at Comic-Con (per IGN) suggests Celeborn and another fan-favorite elf Glorfindel might cameo.

Finally, with the first of the titular rings being crafted in season 1, we'll see the other 17 forged in season 2. Characters like Khamûl the Easterling – one of the nine Ringwraiths – then, could make their live-action debut.

The Rings of Power season 2 plot synopsis and rumors

Full spoilers follow for The Rings of Power season 1.

Here's The Rings of Power season 2's official plot synopsis: "In season 2 of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. 

"Building on season 1’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other."

Now that Sauron has been revealed – Vickers told TechRadar he didn't know he was playing Sauron until filming the third episode – Middle-earth's legendary villain is going to take center stage. In fact, season 2 will be "all about the villains", according to McKay and fellow co-showrunner J.D. Payne, so we'll see more of Middle-earth's nefarious beings this season.

But back to Sauron. He was last seen heading to Mordor and, with Adar and his followers already inhabiting this realm, it'll be fascinating to see how they react to Sauron/Halbrand's return. Vickers told TechRadar that he'd be excited to explore the Adar and Halbrand's frosty relationship further, which we already glimpsed in season 1, adding: "I really love that dynamic. These characters have a long history, so I'd be keen to explore that further and even build on it."

As for Galadriel, her decision not to tell her elven kin about Sauron is going to come back and haunt her. Not only does Elrond already knows she's lied to him – he found the Southlands' royal lineage scroll, which Galadriel used to work out who Halbrand was, in last season's finale – but Sauron is also set to deceive the elves once more. Indeed, this season, he'll assume his Annatar alias to persuade Eregion's elven smiths to help him create the other titular rings. Those glaring errors means Galadriel has a "desperation to redeem herself", according to actor Morfydd Clark (per Empire magazine).

Speaking of the aforementioned rings, there are more to create, including the One Ring. Vickers wouldn't tell TechRadar if the One Ring will be made in season; instead saying Sauron "has a plan". Take that as a yes, then.

Regarding their creation, Tolkien's source material states the rings for the dwarves and men (seven and nine respectively) were created alongside the One Ring and elven ones. However, the latter trio's creation didn't happen alongside their brethren in Amazon's adaptation, which has played pretty loose with some Tolkien lore.  Thankfully, this season will follow Tolkien's literary works more closely, so the other 17 rings, as evidenced by season 2's trailers, will be forged.

We'll also follow up with The Stranger, who was revealed as one of the Istari, aka one of the five wizards sent to Middle-earth by the Valar (Middle-earth's gods, essentially) to help thwart Sauron. The season 1 finale seemed to confirm his real identity, although none of the cast found out that The Stranger was a wizard until filming on season 1 had nearly wrapped.

Anyway, The Stranger and new Harfoot buddy Nori are heading to Rhûn in Middle-earth's far eastern regions to learn more about his identity, his past, and his powers. Will they run into Khamûl or the two Blue Wizards, providing The Stranger isn't one of that duo? The Stranger is set to meet Tom Bombadil, but it would be good to see him and Nori interact with the aforementioned individuals, too. As for the other Harfoots, they're headed for pastures new again. Speaking during a press screening, which TechRadar attended, in October 2022, McKay confirmed we'll be reunited with them at some point and even teased their involvement in Hobbiton's founding.

We should find out where the Southlanders have relocated to, too. Season 1 episode 7 confirmed the Southlands is the region that becomes Mordor after The Rings of Power episode 6's explosive ending. Additionally, Bronwyn suggested the remaining Southlanders would resettle in Pelargir, a city on the banks of the river Anduin that becomes Gondor's main port in the Third Age. In the source material, Pelargir becomes a haven for the Faithful – Númenóreans who are friendly with the elves – during the island kingdom's moral decline in the Second Age. If events play out like they do in Tolkien's works, we could see the displaced Southlanders welcome the Faithful into the rebuilt city that, ironically, the Númenóreans previously founded.

In Khazad-dûm, King Durin III and Prince Durin IV need to resolve their familial dispute, with the former stripping his son of his titles after they fell out over the mining of mithril. We believe season 2 will depict the brutal Siege of Eregion in its final episode or two, so the pair will need to make amends before Durin III's forces come to Eregion's aid to try and stop Sauron's army from decimating the city. 

In the literature, King Durin sends a legion of dwarven warriors to do just that as the War of the Elves and Sauron begins. It would make sense, then, for them to patch things up (and the elves) to ensure that Middle-earth's timeline plays out in the same way. The two Durins will also need to set their differences aside to deal with Durin's Bane, aka the Balrog teased in season 1, who should have a bigger role to play this season.

Then there's the forthcoming upheaval in Númenor. King Palantir is dead, meaning Queen Regent Míriel should be crowned the island realm's next ruler. However, with Míriel blinded in season 1 episode 7, plus what we know of Númenor's history, Pharazôn will make a play for the throne. That, coupled with Sauron (albeit in a disguise) worming his way into Númenórean high society – will this be tackled in The Rings of Power season 2? – will eventually lead to the kingdom's downfall. The island's sinking, though, shouldn't happen for another season or two.

And what of Elendil, Isildur, and Eärien? The former will be grieving for his son – we know Isildur is alive, given the role he plays in Sauron's defeat in the Second Age – while still carrying out his Númenórean duties. Meanwhile, Eärien discovered the palantír in the season 1's final entry, but we're unsure how she'll use it to influence events on Númenor. One thing is for certain: Pharazôn will also find and use it, as confirmed by season 2's latest trailer.

You can expect The Rings of Power season 2 to start tying its numerous story threads together as well. Speaking to Empire, McKay said: "All our stories start to become one story, and the one story is the way the re-emergence of Sauron touches everybody and threatens the whole world". From large-scale battles that are "on a much grander scale" (per Empire) than season 1, to characters from different narratives crossing paths, then, the show's next entry promises to be bigger and better than before.

Will The Rings of Power get more seasons?

The Rings of Power season 2 won't be the end of the show. Payne and McKay have planned for five seasons, which is already mapped out. Based on reports on February, The Rings of Power season 3 is already in development and, speaking to TechRadar ahead of season 2's launch, Payne and McKay said they're "working on" The Rings of Power 3 as we speak. So, expect some form of official announcement in the near future.

More seasons of The Rings of Power aren't the only Middle-earth-set projects we'll see soon, either. Warner Bros. Discovery will release War of the Rohirrim, an animated film set almost 200 years before The Lord of The Rings' book trilogy, will arrive this December. A new film from Peter Jackson, who directed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit's live-action movie trilogies, is also in early development. It's called The Hunt for Gollum and it'll see Andy Serkis return as the titular character. Jackson is on board as a producer, while Serkis will direct the 2026-releasing feature.

These other projects won't impact The Rings of Power, however. It's one of most-watched shows in Prime Video's history so, unless the second season suffers a huge drop off in viewership, it's unlikely to be cancelled any time soon. In short: expect McKay and Payne to see their full vision for a five-season story realized.

For more Prime Video TV-based coverage, get the lowdown on Invincible season 3, Fallout season 2, The Boys season 5, and Blade Runner 2099.