The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power confirmed that it will drop one of its characters from season 2, which may benefit the story. This development comes amid announcements of new cast members joining and the decision to recast Adar. The Rings of Power’s Second Age timeframe reflects stories written by author J.R.R Tolkien across the multitude of works he produced on the fictional world of Middle-earth. Since arriving on screens in 2022 to a mixed reception, the show has brought classic and original characters to life, creating multiple narrative opportunities and controversies.

Over its tenure, the show has invited both praise and backlash for its interpretation of Tolkien favorites like Galadriel and Elrond, as well as its often whimsical take on The Lord of the Rings timeline. The Rings of Power’s original characters rank among the most discussed elements of the show, ranging from humans to Elves and Harfoots. Additionally, the show’s broadcast is succumbing to the difficulties common in long-running TV series, facing changes between seasons. This makes consistent characterization hard – typified by one Rings of Power season 1 character’s absence.

Without Bronwyn, Arondir Joins A Long Line Of Men Unlucky In Love In Tolkien’s World

Many Characters In The Lord Of The Rings Struggle In Love

Bronwyn will not appear in The Rings of Power season 2, leaving her complicated romance with Elf Arondir unresolved. Actress Nazanin Boniadi, who played the original character Bronwyn, confirmed that she will not be returning to The Rings of Power season 2 on her Instagram. However, while her exit is surprising, the news doesn’t necessarily spell disaster for the show. Despite potential narrative complications, the character’s absence will allow the show to tell a thoroughly Tolkienian story of love lost.

Tolkien’s work is peppered with relationships that didn’t work out, but it is Tolkien’s other Elf-human relationships that Arondir and Bronwyn parallel the closest. Aldarion and Erendis offered a starkly contemporary tale of a bitter marriage in decline, and Túrin and Nienor’s marriage was literally cursed. At the other end of the spectrum, Aragorn and Beren both loved their sweethearts in the face of rejection from their families and society. Unlike Aldarion and Túrin, Aragorn and Beren got their happy endings. Boniadi’s exit makes it harder for the show to give Arondir his, but simultaneously raises the prospect of the character reflecting a Tolkien tradition.

Losing Bronwyn Could Hurt The Rings Of Power In Season 2

The Rings Of Power Should Respect Bronwyn

Rings of Power’s decision to drop Bronwyn in season 2 could benefit the series by creating parallels with other Tolkien stories, but it also carries a risk for the show. The most obvious in-universe reason that the show could provide for Bronwyn’s absence is death. Bronwyn’s death could be the catalyst that her son, Theo, needs to become the “soldier” that he dreams of being in season 1, providing an apt tool for his character development. But Hollywood’s tendency to kill off women to motivate men is so well-documented that it has acquired a name – “fridging.” Continuing this trope in The Rings of Power season 2 could be detrimental.

Pursuing this path with Bronwyn would undermine the work that The Rings of Power did in season 1 to establish her as a strong, female lead, and do a big disservice to her character. Perhaps there’s a way that the show could develop Theo’s character, give Arondir a happy ending, and keep Bronwyn alive, despite Boniadi’s exit. As a complication of possible The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power battles, Bronwyn could survive off-screen but be forced to keep this secret to protect Theo for some reason. However, given the complications this would cause, the situation highlights how Bronwyn’s exit creates potential problems.