The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

A streaming television series set in the Second Age — an original adaptation that heavily departs from Tolkien’s texts.

AdaptationIntroduced by a film or television production, not by Tolkien.

Author

J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay (showrunners)

Published

2022–

Format

Studio

Amazon MGM Studios / Prime Video

This is an adaptation, not a Tolkien novel

This entry describes a film or television production inspired by Tolkien’s work. It is not one of the author’s books, and its events, characters and timeline should not be cited as his text — the sources below record what the production actually is.

Synopsis

This television series draws on the Second Age as sketchily related in The Lord of the Rings’ appendices and the Akallabêth, then invents freely around it. Invented characters such as Arondir, Halbrand and the Stranger, and a drastically compressed timeline, mark it as an original adaptation rather than a retelling. It can be a gateway into curiosity about the Second Age, but its events, chronology and characters should not be confused with Tolkien’s account of Númenor, the forging of the Rings or the Last Alliance.

Setting

A compressed, reordered Second Age: Valinor, the Southlands, Eregion, Khazad-dûm, Númenor and the early realms of Middle-earth.

Themes

adaptation as invention
the appeal and danger of prequels
canon versus licensed storytelling

Publication note

A television adaptation premiering in 2022 on Prime Video. It is not a Tolkien work and takes large liberties with Second Age chronology and personnel.

Sources

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power · 2022–
Television adaptation. Compresses the Second Age and invents characters such as Arondir and Halbrand.