The Rings of Power season 3 already has its perfect Adar replacement, and the Lord of the Rings show can give this new villain a story the Uruk never got. Although Sauron is The Rings of Power‘s Big Bad, Adar serves as a prominent antagonist in the first two seasons of the show. Adar’s origin story gives him good reason to hate Sauron, but he also dislikes Galadriel and the other Elves. His goal of building a home for the Orcs leads to the destruction of the Southlands, and Adar seems content to trample anyone in the way of his plans.

Of course, The Rings of Power season 2’s ending sees Adar realizing the error of his ways when he puts on Nenya — though this is tragically short-lived. As quickly as he agrees to pursue peace alongside Galadriel, he’s betrayed by the Orcs and killed by Sauron. This eliminates any chance of the Uruk receiving a proper redemption story. Although that’s disappointing, The Rings of Power can make up for it by giving Adar’s replacement a lengthier and more detailed redemption arc during future seasons.

The Dark Wizard Will Replace Adar As The Rings Of Power’s Minor Villain In Season 3

Season 2 Sets Him Up To Be Another Secondary Antagonist

The Rings of Power kills off its secondary villain during season 2’s finale, but the Lord of the Rings series has already set up his replacement: Rhûn’s Dark Wizard. The show introduces this Dark Wizard as a threat to the Stranger, Nori, and Poppy — and he proves an antagonistic force when he tries to form an alliance with the Stranger. It’s likely he’ll become The Rings of Power‘s new secondary villain in season 3, while Sauron will remain the show’s biggest threat through to the end.

The Rings of Power hasn’t revealed much about the Dark Wizard, but he appears to be an Istar like the Stranger. The Amazon series’ showrunners confirmed that the Dark Wizard isn’t Saruman, which means he’s likely one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Blue Wizards. The Blue Wizards are probably the most mysterious Istari in Tolkien’s lore, but the author doesn’t portray them as villainous. Although they form cults and have dubious tendencies, the Blue Wizards aren’t said to join Sauron. In fact, they initially set out to oppose him, which means redemption may be in the cards for TROP‘s new villain.

The Rings Of Power’s Adar Replacement Must Tell The Redemption Story He Barely Got

The Dark Wizard Can Still Turn Things Around

If Tolkien’s writings rule out the Blue Wizards becoming total villains, The Rings of Power will need to redeem Rhûn’s Dark Wizard before the show is through. This means he’ll get the chance to have a full redemption narrative, unlike Adar, whose final moments simply don’t do his change of heart justice. Adar doesn’t get the chance to fix the damage he causes, but The Rings of Power‘s Dark Wizard may find a way to atone and help Middle-earth.

This would prove a compelling journey for both characters, and it would give the Lord of the Rings series a proper redemption story — one it could have had with Adar.

If the Stranger has a hand in the Dark Wizard’s redemption, this will also allow Gandalf to make up for his biggest Saruman failure. The Istar may not have been able to prevent his friend from falling prey to Sauron’s corruption, but he can bring The Rings of Power‘s new antagonist over to the side of light. This would prove a compelling journey for both characters, and it would give the Lord of the Rings series a proper redemption story — one it could have had with Adar.