The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Lore & Background

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was developed by J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay, who were hired in July 2018 for their first credited roles. Their story bridges Second Age references in Tolkien's appendices with original material, developed in consultation with the Tolkien Estate and lore experts. Amazon acquired the television rights in November 2017 for close to US$250 million, making a five-season production commitment worth at least US$1 billion, which would make it the most expensive television series ever made. The series is not a continuation of Peter Jackson's film trilogies, though producers intended to evoke those films using similar production design, younger versions of film characters, and a main theme by Howard Shore. Bear McCreary composed the series' original score.

Reader's Guide

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power represents a landmark in television production, both for its unprecedented budget and its adaptation of Tolkien's Second Age—a period previously only briefly depicted in film prologues. The series premiered on September 1, 2022, and its first season became the most-watched of any Prime Video original series, receiving generally positive reviews for visuals and designs but criticism for writing and pacing. The second season, released from August to October 2024, had lower viewership and a similar critical response but improved audience response. The series has been notable for its large international cast, its production in New Zealand for the first season (with a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and its move to the United Kingdom for subsequent seasons. A third season is set for release in November 2026, and a fourth season is in development. The series has also sparked vocal responses from Tolkien fans and an online backlash to its diverse cast.

Did You Know?

• Amazon acquired the global television rights for close to US$250 million in November 2017.
• The series is not a continuation of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.
• Filming for the first season took place in New Zealand from February 2020 to August 2021, including a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A third season has not yet been officially confirmed for a specific release date.