The Rings of Power season 2 opens with a dark flashback for Sauron, tease showrunners of Lord of the Rings show

Jul. 16, 2024

Exclusive: Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne tease the opening of season 2, and reveal an exclusive new look at Galadriel

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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2doesn’t pick up where the season1 finale left off. Speaking to Total Film magazine on a set visit for the fantasy show’s sophomore season, showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne confirm the details, teasing a dark opening for the Prime Video series’ long-awaited return.

“Do you want to hear the opening?” an excited McKay asks tellsTotal Film in our new issueout on Thursday, July 19, which featuresAlien: Romuluson the cover. “We open in the darkness, an orc walks in, and we see there are thousands of orcs gathered. He’s about to be crowned, pitching his vision of Middle-earth, and right before they lay the crown on his head, his right-hand man, Adar, turns it upside down, and stabs him in the back. It’s the assassination of Sauron.”

It’s a bold opening, setting the tone for what’s to come in a season thatthe showrunners previously told us is “all about the villains.“The flashback also teases that we’ll learn more of the history betweenSauron(Charlie Vickers) andAdar(Sam Hazeldine), as it takes place at the end of theFirst Age, afterMorgothhas been defeated and Sauron is demanding fealty from his followers.

“Right from the beginning, Sauron is the center of gravity,” McKay adds of the moment when TF catches up with him a year later. “It’s an ensemble show, but the focus is starting to get pulled towards him. He’s driving everything.”

As the trailer reveals, The Rings of Power season 2 will see Sauron turn to his cunning to survive after being cast out by Galadriel.Adopting a new disguise, he infiltrates Celebrimbor’s work building the Rings of Power, overseeing their creation to bind the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will.

In our new exclusive feature on season 2, Total Film also has a new look at Morfydd Clark as Galadriel. In the image, which you can see below, the powerful elf is ready for combat as war comes to Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 begins on Prime Video on August 29. For much more, read our full interview with McKay, Payne, and cast in the new issue of Total Film. It hits shelves and digital newsstands on Thursday, July 19.

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Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.

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