The Rings of Power season 3 has a "strong" story as showrunners give an update on writing: "We're hoping to turn it around as fast as possible"

Dec. 10, 2024

Exclusive: Patrick McKay and J. D. Payne give us a tiny update on season 3

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

While they didn’t let much slip when we asked if they’ve given much thought to what the themes of this next part of the story will be, Patrick McKay replied: “The answer is yes, we’re very excited, but we can’t say anything other than we’re working on season three. We have a story we think is really strong, and we’re hoping to turn it around as fast as possible.”

When GamesRadar+ pushed a little bit more on whether they’re focusing on Numenor a lot in this next stage, McKay laughingly responded: “We will confirm nor deny anything.”

While McKay and his fellow showrunner J. D. Payne didn’t reveal any plot details, they also opened up about where we leave Sauron at the end of season 2. After killing Adar and Celembrimbor, and getting the rings back off Galadriel, we leave the Dark Lord holding Fëanor’s hammer.

“For Sauron as a character at the beginning of season two, he still thinks he’s the hero, right? He’s like, I’m going to fix the whole world,” McKay explains. “I have to make magic rings to do it and the way I do that is to trick this guy, right? That’s my plan. But then to succeed, he has to double down and basically descend into the worst version of himself, where, by the end, he’s the villain of this story, and he knows it.”

He added: “So in some ways, the first two seasons have been the origin of Sauron, the Dark Lord. Season one, he was the aspiring Dark Lord, by the end of season two, he’s the newly conquering Dark Lord.”

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I’ve also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

The Rings of Power showrunners confirm “definitively” that the Dark Wizard isn’t Saruman: “We do know who he is”

The Rings of Power’s Gandalf reveal wasn’t decided until writing began on season 2: “It took a while for us to get there”

Best Path of Exile 2 Sorceress build