The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will change its protagonists for season 2 in a move that will probably benefit the show. The show has been busy expanding its cast for season 2, with familiar characters from Tolkien’s books set to join for the first time in season 2, along with new original characters. However, this is not the only change coming to The Rings of Power season 2, with the series confirming that season 2 will be “darker” and “more gritty” (via MovieZine, translation via The Yard), and will also shift its protagonist strategy.

In a print feature for Total Film, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay revealed that one of season 1’s characters will step in to replace Galadriel and “arguably become the principal protagonist.“ As The Rings of Power season 1 finale revealed, Halbrand is actually Sauron, souring the relationship Galadriel formed with Halbrand. Now that Galadriel’s purpose as a character has seemingly been served, in exposing the titular villain of Lord of the Rings, it looks like her role will be reduced somewhat in season 2. If that happens, this will make way for a minor character from season 1 to step into the limelight.

Celebrimbor As The Rings Of Power Season 2’s Main Character Avoids S1’s Galadriel Problem

Celebrimbor Is A Good Choice For Season 2’s Focus

Speaking to Total Film, showrunners revealed that Celebrimbor will be their focus for season 2, which relieves the show of the risky business of portraying the much-loved Tolkien character Galadriel as the main character in most episodes. Galadriel is indisputably one of the best characters in The Lord of the Rings, and her role in season 1 earned considerable attention, so moving away from her in any degree is a bold move. That said, the show faced a lot of criticism for its characterization of Galadriel, who was depicted as having certain qualities that weren’t on display in the movies.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will air on August 29, 2024.

In comparison to Galadriel, Celebrimbor is a more minor character in The Lord of the Rings’ Second Age. Out of the source material that The Rings of Power has the rights to adapt, Celebrimbor was mentioned throughout the appendices, rather than being embedded into the narrative itself. Celebrimbor’s role was described in more detail in J.R.R Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, which the show will inevitably be drawing from for inspiration as much as it can. As such, this character presents fertile ground for exploration, without the rigid audience expectations that plagued Galadriel’s character in season 1.

The Rings Of Power Season 2 Focusing On Celebrimbor Returns The Show To Its Original Premise

Season 2 Will Resume Focus On Rings Of Power

Celebrimbor is actually central to the premise of The Rings of Power, which tells the story of Tolkien’s Second Age, specifically of the magical rings made by the Elven smiths of Eregion and Sauron. These rings are important in the plot of The Silmarillion and set up key story points for the Third Age in The Lord of the Rings. Celebrimbor was the lead participant in Sauron’s “Rings of Power” project – one Elf that Sauron was able to deceive into helping him create the rings.

Sauron’s Elf disguise in The Rings of Power season 2, as seen in the trailer, could be how Sauron worms his way into Celebrimbor’s good favor. The relationship between Sauron and Celebrimbor whilst they create the rings in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 will be “arguably the central relationship of the season,” according to the showrunners in their words to Total Film, and will be “about temptation, manipulation, and corruption.” In centering Celebrimbor for season 2, the show can return to its original foundation, Sauron’s increasing control over Middle-earth via the Rings of Power.

What Will Galadriel’s Story Be In The Rings Of Power Season 2?

Galadriel is now seeking redemption.

Whereas The Rings of Power season 1 was about Galadriel fighting a war most people did not believe was happening, season 2 will be about her seeking redemption. Galadriel finds out at the end of the first season that Sauron had tricked her this whole time, posing as the benevolent human Halbrand as he slowly won her trust. Having convinced Celebrimbor to take Halbrand’s advice and create the Rings of Power, Galadriel feels guilty about the danger Sauron poses to Middle-earth. Although this war was already personal for her, Galadriel will now feel it’s her responsibility to defeat Evil itself.

Even though Sauron was directly involved in creating the rings, Galadriel still believes those are necessary weapons in the war against evil.

That said, Galadriel did not tell Celebrimbor about Halbrand’s true identity at the end of The Rings of Power season 1. This was a curious outcome considering her entire story during the first season was about proving to others, especially the other Elves, that a dark force was threatening Middle-earth. Not only didn’t Galadriel tell the truth about Halbrand, but she also let Celebrimbor finish the forging of the Rings. Even though Sauron was directly involved in creating the rings, Galadriel still believes those are necessary weapons in the war against evil.

“The Three” Rings
Bearers

Narya
Gil-galad, Círdan, Gandalf

Nenya
Galadriel

Vilya
Gil-galad, Elrond

Galadriel herself will have a ring now, Nenya. The fact that Middle-earth’s only weapon against Sauron is something he helped create makes for a compelling story that will be expanded upon during The Rings of Power season 2. It will be interesting to see how different Galadriel’s character will be compared to the first season now that she is one of the three Elven ringbearers. Galadriel will have to balance guilt and responsibility, a promising arc that could end with her being closer to the book version of the character.

How Else The Rings Of Power Season 2 Will Be Different From Season 1

Audiences are in on Sauron’s con now.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 introduced many characters and followed many storylines, which was not surprising considering the Prime Video show was set to dive deep into Tolkien’s Middle-earth lore while also adding new ideas. Season 2, on the other hand, is expected to have a more streamlined story now that all paths converge. Speaking to Empire, The Rings of Power showrunner Patrick McKay discussed one major difference between the new season and the previous one – audiences are now in on Sauron’s con.

Sauron has a new form in The Rings of Power season 2, one that will help him trick Celebrimbor even further. According to McKay, all of the show’s stories “start to become one story” in season 2. This one story is “the way the re-emergence of Sauron touches everybody,” which brings a threat to the whole world. Although there were many theories about Halbrand’s true identity in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1, Sauron’s role on the show was still somewhat of a mystery. However, in season 2, his plans and goals are much clearer.