Who is Adar in The Rings of Power and why was he recast?

The character of Adar has been getting even more complicated throughout season 2, from sending his Orcs to wage war on Eregion (despite their doubts) to offering an alliance to Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), but the finale episode saw his demise in an emotional and poetic final moment that mirrored Sauron's death in season 2 episode 1.

Speaking about Adar's tragic death in the season 2 finale, executive producer and director Charlotte Brändström told RadioTimes.com: "It was always planned that he was going to die but what I think what makes it very emotional is that he dies when he wants to do good.

"He gives the ring back, he's ready to sacrifice himself, and he realises what he's done to his children, the Orcs, and that he is their father after all, and that they're going to fight Sauron together now."

She added: "We give a little moment of hope and then we go in for the kill! We tried to mirror what happened to Sauron in the first scene with the stabbing and Sauron gets his revenge there."

Introduced by Game of Thrones alum Joseph Mawle in season 1, the character became a fan-favourite for his nuance and mystery as he led a plan to conquer the Southlands once and for all. But eagle-eyed viewers will notice that Mawle was swapped out for Slow Horses actor Sam Hazeldine for season 2.

Here, we break down exactly why the role of Adar was recast and give you all the background information on the character that you need.

Who is Adar in The Rings of Power?

Adar is one of the Moriondor – the very first Elves corrupted by Sauron's predecessor, the Dark Lord Morgoth.

The word "Adar" comes from the Elvish language of Sindarin, meaning "Father", explaining that paternal bond he shares with the Orcs in his care.

While some characters in the show assumed him to be Sauron, this suggestion angered Adar, building his resentment of Sauron. Adar was once Sauron's right-hand man but betrayed him after seeing his cruelty towards the orcs.

During season 1 of The Rings of Power, Adar is on a mission to provide a home for his "children", free from the influence of Sauron - who he believed he killed years before the events of the series. Adar sought the mysterious Hilt that was then possessed by Bronwyn's son Theo, which would help him to achieve his plans.

Adar is not seen until the end of the third episode, and even then is shown out of focus as we learn Arondir is being brought to him by the orcs.

In the fourth episode, Arondir witnesses Adar hold a dying orc before ending its life. Adar also recalls his own life as an Elf. Arondir asks Adar why the orcs call him "Father", but Adar tells Arondir that he has been fed many lies throughout his life.

Adar reveals that he is no god - not yet. He then frees Arondir to go to his old watch-tower with a message.

When Arondir arrives at the watch-tower, he tells the human Bronwyn that Adar has offered the Southlanders the chance to swear fealty to him and follow him or he will destroy them.

In the sixth episode, Adar's army attacked the watch-tower, but fell foul of a trap set by Arondir. In response, Adar's remaining orcs went on to launch an all-out assault on the Southlanders.

Eventually, the third wave of orcs overwhelmed the Southlanders and threatening Bronwyn saw Theo give up the Hilt to Adar.

When the forces of Numenor arrive to liberate the Southlands, Adar enacts his plan and hands of the mysterious Hilt we saw repeatedly throughout the season to Waldreg (Geoff Morrell), a human supporter of the forces of darkness.

Waldreg plants the Hilt in an altar at the watch-tower, sparking a great flood that leads all the way down the various tunnels Adar and his children had created, flowing into a volcano and triggering a cataclysmic volcanic eruption.

This marked the birth of Mordor, and the awakening of Mount Doom.

In all of the chaos, Adar escaped his captivity at the hands of Galadriel and Halbrand - but not before the show planted a lot of seeds for future conflict between himself and Sauron.

In season 2, we see a highly-rumoured storyline come to fruition - Galadriel and Adar's meeting, and a potential alliance between the pair.

In episode 6, Adar presents Morgoth's crown to Galadriel, telling her he used its power to slay Sauron. Of course, Sauron returned - but Adar has a theory that the crown's power combined with the power of the three Elven rings could slay the villain once and for all.

Of course, Galadriel has some major reservations about teaming up with Adar, but he urges her to look beyond her pride - and she does so.

Agreeing to form an alliance with him, she tells him about Elrond's mission to free Celebrimbor from Sauron's grasp and says that together they can destroy Sauron.

Adar says that she has revealed everything he hoped – including Sauron's identity - and reveals the terrifying extent of his army as they prepare to march on Eregion.

Galadriel says Sauron has lured Adar's army and that he wants him to march on Eregion - but he refuses to believe it and has Galadriel taken away. As episode 6 ends, the Siege of Eregion begins with the Orcs raining fire on Eregion.

Previously chatting to RadioTimes.com about the potential of an alliance between Adar and Galadriel, Hazeldine said: "We're looking at the options and seeing what we could do to counteract the threat of Sauron, for sure. We're not the best of friends so it's a careful balance we have to do to see if we can trust each other or not."

However, in season 2 episode 7, it's made clear that an alliance is off the cards completely, with Adar imprisoning Galadriel and threatening to charge into battle with her head on a spike. Luckily, Elrond manages to free her, but something tells us there's unfinished business with this trio.

In season 2 episode 8, Galadriel finally agrees to Adar's terms of an alliance but she's too late. Sauron has already taken back Adar's army of Orcs, and the creatures Adar knew as his children brutally kill him.

How does Adar die in The Rings of Power?

Season 2 episode 8 sees Adar killed by his Orcs, who he referred to as his children.

During the episode, Sauron takes power of the Orc army back. One of the Orcs feigns an injury to get close to Adar, before stabbing him. In a brutal scene paralleling Sauron's death in the prologue of season 2 episode 1, the Orcs fully turn on Adar, stabbing him over and over again in sight of Galadriel.

In his final moments, Adar still refers to them as his "children".

Speaking to RadioTimes.com about Sauron getting his revenge on Adar, actor Charlie Vickers told RadioTimes.com: "There's vindication and it's an element of, 'I have killed you and now I have your children, your army,' and he can rule over them, whether it's fear or whatever - they're now his.'

"He did it that way so that he could get what he needed which was an army and so he's left this season no longer alone. Adar's death scene mirrors Sauron's death scene in the opening and I think that's a really cool parallel."

Who was Adar to Sauron in The Rings of Power?

After Morgoth's defeat, Adar became a servant to Sauron and even became his right-hand man.

While he initially served Sauron faithfully, he became displeased with Sauron's treatment of his "children" (the orcs) and lost faith in him.

He eventually turned on Sauron and attempted to assassinate him. For years, Adar believed he had killed Sauron.

Who plays Adar in The Rings of Power season 2?

The mantle of Adar has been taken up by Sam Hazeldine for the second season, and likely the rest of the show’s run.

Joseph Mawle stepped down from the role of Adar just after season 1 finished airing in December of 2022.

Hazeldine has previously starred in Slow Horses, The Sandman and Peaky Blinders, to name but a few shows.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hazeldine discussed taking on the role of Adar from Mawle, saying, "I worked with him (Mawle) years ago. I think he’s a fantastic actor, and I really loved what he did in the first season.

"So it was actually a pleasure to take the baton from him. Obviously we don’t look the same, but the character is instantly recognisable."

Asked by ComicBook.com whether taking over the role was a challenge, he said: "No, it wasn't actually. It was honestly a pleasure."

He added: "I think that's because it was such a rich character that's been created by the writers and by Joseph in season 1. And so, it was a real privilege to take on that character and see where the story takes him from there. So, I really enjoyed it. I just loved every part of it."

Hazeldine also exclusively told RadioTimes.com of Adar's role in season 2: "Adar's work is kind of done at the end of the first season1. He's created Mordor and has a home for the orcs and that's kind of it until Sauron comes back and then it's like, 'We've got to do something about this.'"

Why was Adar recast in The Rings of Power?

Whenever a role in a major show is recast, there are naturally a lot of questions about the what and the why.

In the case of Joseph Mawle and Adar though, the reasons were straightforward – he wanted to explore other career opportunities on-screen.

Mawle took to X to explain his own decision to step away from the role.

"I loved my time exploring Middle-earth and diving into Tolkien’s mythology. I’m so honoured that the character was liked. He cared deeply about telling you his story.

"Though as an actor it remains my wish, my job description to explore new characters and worlds. Wishing all the best to cast and crew for S2, I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines."

Since, Mawle has starred in Yellowstone spin-off 1923 as Captain Shipley, and Mary and George as Sir Walter Raleigh.

Is The Rings of Power's Adar in JRR Tolkien's books?

No. While most of the characters in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power are characters from Tolkien’s mythology, Adar is one of the few original characters created for the show.

While the character remains an enigma as to his ultimate role, he does provide a humanising aspect to the orcs - something no other adaptation of Tolkien’s work has been able to accomplish.

There was a lot of speculation during season 1 that Adar may be a disguise of Sauron himself, but the finale’s reveal of Halbrand’s true identity put those to rest.

Other theories have questioned whether he is an adaptation of the Witch-king of Angmar, or one of the other Ringwraiths - but it seems unlikely, given their characters all being men is a central point of their fall to Sauron.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premieres on Thursday 29th August 2024 on Prime Video. Sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial.

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