Highlights
- Characters like Celeborn and Celebrian have yet to appear in Rings of Power, leaving fans with questions about their existence and potential roles in the series.
- Saruman and Radagast, two important characters from The Lord of the Rings, could make appearances in Rings of Power, providing guidance and introducing new storylines.
- The show has the opportunity to explore lesser-known characters like the Blue Wizards, Treebeard, Anárion, and King Oropher, adding depth and richness to the narrative while staying true to Tolkien's works.
Amazon Prime has greenlit a season two for TheLord of the Rings prequel series, The Rings of Power. The first season used several Tolkien characters to explore new stories on screen for Middle Earth. However, a lot of major characters introduced by J.R.R Tolkien did not feature during the first season of the show.
Some characters were hinted at but haven't appeared yet in Rings of Power. Others haven't been mentioned yet, but if the series hopes to stay true to the source material, they could easily be introduced in season two. Still, there's a wide range of characters the creators can use to honor the works of Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings.
10 Celeborn
Celeborn is Galadriel's husband in the works of Tolkien but doesn't appear during season one of Rings of Power. This raises major questions since the couple are supposed to already be married at the time the show is set. However, he was referenced once during episode seven during a conversation Galadriel had with Theo.
In the show, Galadriel reveals she believed Celeborn to be dead. Granted, fans know that Celeborn will appear in The Lord of the Rings, so it's obvious he will have to make an appearance in Rings of Power. Hopefully, that appearance will come in season two.
9 Celebrian
Galadriel should not only be married by the events of Rings of Power, but she should have already given birth to her daughter with Celeborn, Celebrian. While her husband has been addressed, her daughter has not. This leaves fans with many questions about Celebrian's existence.
It is possible Galadriel believes her daughter to be dead as well. Given that Celebrian eventually marries Elrond and gives birth to Arwen, she has to come into play at some point. If Galadriel believes her husband and daughter are dead, the show should demonstrate why. Maybe that could explain where Celebrian has been during this time.
8 Saruman
While Saruman the White may be one of the most evil characters in The Lord of the Rings, he starts on the side of good before aligning with Sauron. Saruman is also one of the five Istar referenced by the witches from Rhûn and the Chief Istar.
Saruman could easily appear in Rings of Power in opposition to Sauron. This could also work well because Saruman is one of the few characters whose life is not heavily chronicled during the time period the show is set. Plus, with the many hints of another wizard, it will be good to see Saruman to help guide him.
7 Radagast
Radagast the Brown was the least important member of the Istari. He wasn't even mentioned in The Lord of the Rings but did appear in The Hobbit films. Radagast previously served as Maia of the Valië Yavanna and spent time caring for the plants and animals of Middle Earth.
He arrived in Middle Earth at the same time as Saruman and Gandalf, so it would make sense for him to appear in Rings of Power at the same time they do. A storyline about Sauron's power affecting plants and animals could be a good way to incorporate him.
6 Blue Wizards
Along with Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast, there are two unnamed Blue Wizards that represent the Istari during the Second Age of Middle Earth. The pair of Blue Wizards traveled East to fight Sauron and never returned, so not much is known about them.
This allows the show's creators a lot of wiggle room when it comes to introducing the characters as they aren't confined to Tolkien's writings. Given Rings of Power is set during the Second Age and Tolkien canon says none of the other wizards were in Middle Earth at that time, it's possible the mysterious stranger introduced in the first season could be one of these Blue Wizards.
5 Treebeard
Given the ages of the Ents, Treebeard was definitely around during the timeframe Rings of Power is set. The Ents isolated themselves for a long time before deciding to join the fight against Saruman during The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. But, when they joined, they were a force to be reckoned with.
Treebeard could make an appearance as the war between Elves and Sauron is likely to happen at some point on the show. Treebeard references this war during The Two Towers, and even though the Ents didn't take part, it was also the time the Entwives were lost, so that could be a storyline to explore.
4 Anárion
Ilsildur's younger brother doesn't appear in season one but is said to be on Númenor’s west coast. The series hints that he and his family are at odds over his efforts to further the cause of the Faithful, a group of Númenoreans still loyal to the Elves.
Anárion plays a key role in the future of Gondor as he rules alongside his brother after Sauron's downfall. He is also an ancestor of Aragorn, so it's clear Anárion has to show up at some point.
3 King Oropher
With the appearance of Greenwood the Great in season one, it's quite possible the location, also known as Mirkwood in Tolkien works set later in the timeline, could make another appearance in season two. If so, Rings of Power could introduce King Oropher who leads the Silvan Elves.
Oropher is also an ancestor of Legolas and plays an important role in the Second Age as he heeds the call to fight Sauron's forces and dies. Meeting Oropher before that battle will give his death more impact on viewers.
2 The Future Nazgûl
The Ringwraiths were the kings of men who were deceived by Sauron with their Rings of Power. These men fell under his spell and became the Nazgûl after the rings lengthened their lives, but also led to them slipping into the shadow world when they became possessed with power.
Given the setting, these men will be seen in their human forms rather than their Ringwraith form. However, the show could follow their quest for power and their descent into being Ringwraiths. Either way, the series should, at the very least, introduce the Witch King of Angmar.
1 Tom Bombadil
Was there a character left out of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy whose omission disappointed fans more than Tom Bombadil? He's a favorite for fans of the books, and they wanted to see him on the big screen. While that wasn't meant to be, Rings of Power could bring him to the small screen.
The show's creators will also have a lot of creative freedom with the character of Tom Bombadil. Tolkien didn't reveal much of what Tom was doing during the Second Age, but he was revealed to be the oldest being in existence in the mortal realm, so he is definitely there. The only downside is that any decision Prime Video makes for this character will likely be divisive.