“At the world premiere of season two of Prime Video’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Peter Mullan describes the overwhelming pressure of the role. ‘When you walk on that set, all that hits you is the terror that you’ll never be able to justify your presence there,’ says Mullan, who plays King Durin III.
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| Showrunners Patrick McKay (left) and J.D. Payne at 'The Rings of Power' season two world premiere in London. Courtesy of Getty Images |
The Scottish actor, known for his performances in Trainspotting, Braveheart, and Ozark, captures the immense expectations surrounding this project. With a significant budget — estimated at around $465 million for season one — anticipation for the new season is intense.
Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, however, are tight-lipped about the specifics, leaving details about the scale and expectations largely unspoken.”
“What we will say is this: Season one was huge and epic. We think we’ve delivered even more on screen in season two,” McKay shares with Morfeli Reporter at London’s BFI Southbank. “We aimed to push the show into new territory, and we hope the audience will be pleasantly surprised.” Payne adds, “Expect it to go broader, deeper, and bigger — we’re exploring more worlds, introducing more monsters, and featuring more battles.”
When questioned about a third season, McKay remains enigmatic: “All we can say is, we’re working on it. We’re cooking. Let us cook!” The duo seems notably relaxed about the upcoming Warner Bros. project, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, scheduled for 2026. “Middle-earth is vast, and there’s room for everyone,” Payne says. “We love the Peter Jackson films, so we’re excited to see it as fans.”
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| Sue Kroll, Charlie Vickers, Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Salke, Ismael Cruz Córdova and Mike Hopkins at the season two world premiere of ‘The Rings of Power.’ Courtesy of Getty Images |
On Tuesday evening, the cast walked a gold carpet lined with fans. The brutalist architecture of the Thames-side venue was transformed with greenery and flora to evoke Tolkien’s worlds. Attendees included Charlie Vickers (Sauron), Morfydd Clark (Galadriel), Robert Aramayo (Elrond), Sophia Nomvete (Disa), Ismael Cruz Córdova (Arondir), Charles Edwards (Celebrimbor), and Joseph Mawle (Adar).
Córdova, whose character boasts Legolas-level combat skills, reveals to Morfeli Reporter that meeting Orlando Bloom at a party was a significant boost for his performance. Bloom, known for playing Legolas in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, greeted Córdova warmly, calling him “Brother!” despite never having met him before. “It was incredible to know he recognized me. It felt like he was passing the baton and giving his blessing,” Córdova says.
Season two promises to be “darker and grittier,” with the story focusing on Sauron, who was unveiled as Charlie Vickers’ Halbrand. “This season revolves around Sauron,” director Charlotte Brandstrom notes. “It’s dangerous and edgy. You need to be very prepared; you can’t change your mind once you start.”
Rory Kinnear joins the cast as Tom Bombadil, a long-cherished figure in Tolkien’s lore. “Playing Tom Bombadil is daunting,” Kinnear admits. “He’s a character beloved by generations but never seen on screen before. There’s a lot of pressure.”
He recalls telling his partner about the role, and her enthusiastic reaction underscored the significance of the character. Kinnear, known for his roles in James Bond films, The Imitation Game, and Black Mirror, had to immerse himself deeply in Tolkien’s world to prepare.
Lloyd Owen, returning as Captain Elendil in season two, shared insights with Morfeli Reporter on what fans can expect. “Season one laid out a lot of worlds,” Owen explains. “Now, every world and scene has something at stake, thanks to the groundwork we’ve done. When the scripts arrived, we were all amazed. It’s a game-changer.”
Owen describes Sauron's role as more than just a typical villain. “Sauron isn’t just about being surrounded by bad people,” he says. “He infiltrates your being. If there’s a crack in your moral armor, he will exploit it.”