Meet the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2
Here's everything you need to know about the cast of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, as it returns for season 2.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has returned from a two-year absence, with a second season that promises to be bigger and better than the first.
The reimagining of JRR Tolkien's Middle-Earth is certainly one of the most visually dazzling television shows ever made, but received some criticism during its first season for a slow pace and lack of focus.
Fortunately, those flaws have been recognised and rectified in a second season that is getting a more positive reception so far, which is also helped by the emergence of legendary franchise baddie Sauron (Charlie Vickers), who's taking the form of Annatar in the latest series and is manipulating the elf Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards).
Morfydd Clark takes centre stage once more as Galadriel, who will be rallying forces to oppose the dark villain as he attempts to rebuild his power and influence across Middle-earth.
Much of the supporting actors also reprise their roles for The Rings of Power season 2, with one notable recast in the form of Adar. We've also seen actress Nazanin Boniadi leave the show as we were told of Bronwyn's demise off-screen.
While we were expecting various returns, one big one surprised us in the form of The Dweller, the Bridie Sisson character who many assumed dead at at the end of season 1.
We've also got some recognisable faces joining the show, including Game of Thrones alum Ciarán Hinds as The Dark Wizard and Rory Kinnear as the long-awaited Tom Bombadil, plus mysterious new characters like Estrid (Nia Towle).
Plus, we've seen the iconic Jim Broadbent join the fray as an Ent in the latest episode.
As for characters that might appear in future? Clark has hinted that fans may finally get to see the missing Celeborn at some stage.
For now though, with the first four episodes now available to stream on Prime Video, here's everything you need to know about The Rings of Power cast.
Rings of Power cast: Full list of Lord of the Rings characters
The following cast members have been confirmed for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2:
- Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
- Charlie Vickers/Jack Lowden as Sauron
- Robert Aramayo as Elrond
- Markella Kavenagh as Elanor "Nori" Brandyfoot
- Benjamin Walker as High King Gil-galad
- Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir
- Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo
- Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor
- Daniel Weyman as The Stranger
- Owain Arthur as Prince Durin IV
- Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa
- Peter Mullan as King Durin III
- Lloyd Owen as Elendil
- Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Queen Regent Míriel
- Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
- Maxim Baldry as Isildur
- Ema Horvath as Eärien
- Sam Hazeldine as Adar
- Nia Towle as Estrid
- Leon Wadham as Kemen
- Megan Richards as Poppy Proudfellow
- Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil
- Amelia Kenworthy as Mirdania
- Calam Lynch as Camnir
- Kevin Eldon as Narvi
- Selina Lo as Rían
- Ben Daniels as Círdan
- Ciarán Hinds as Dark Wizard
- Bridie Sisson as The Dweller
- Tanya Moodie as Gundabel
- Gavi Singh Chera as Merimac
- Will Keen as Lord Belzagar
- Oliver Alvin-Wilson as Tarda
- Stuart Bowman as Barduk
- William Chubb as High Priest
- Geoff Morrell as Waldreg
- Alex Tarrant as Valandil
- Jim Broadbent as Snaggleroot
- Olivia Williams as Winterbloom
- Gavi Singh Chera as Merimac
- Tanya Moodie as Gundabale Earthauler
- Charlie Rix as Vorohil
- Selina Lo as Rian
- Olivier Alvin Wilson as Daemor
- Zates Atour as Brank
- Peter Landi as Marmadas
- Bridie Sisson as The Dweller/Barrow-Wight
- Anabel Kutay as Messenger Acolyte
- Raya Yarborough as Goldberry
- Kaner Scott as Barrow-wight
- Robert Strange as Barrow-wight/Snaghul
For more information on the major players, see below.
Morfydd Clark plays Galadriel
Who is Galadriel? Galadriel is one of the oldest elves who has been part of some of the most historical moments in Middle-earth. Many know her as the Lady of Lothlórien, but in this period she is a warrior who was intent on hunting Sauron in honour of her fallen brother, Finrod. In season 1 she cast him out after discovering he had been hiding himself as Halbrand.
Clark told RadioTimes.com of Galadriel in season 2: "I think she's pretty broken. She put her trust in someone and she was completely deceived, and she's lost her sense of self through that.
"And so she's kind of desperate to make things right, but also feeling so fragile and broken. So it was really fascinating to play her, because she started her journey in season 1 as someone full of certainty and full of conviction, and he's taken that from her."
Where have I seen Morfydd Clark before? Clark has had roles in series such as Dracula, His Dark Materials and Patrick Melrose, while on the big screen she has appeared in Saint Maud, Eternal Beauty and The Personal History of David Copperfield. Since season 1 she has starred in Murder is Easy and Starve Acre.
Charlie Vickers plays Sauron
Who is Sauron? Sauron is the main antagonist in The Rings of Power, and is on a mission to rule Middle-earth by means of controlling the minds of all its beings. He originally appeared in the form of a man named Halbrand, before revealing his true self.
Where have I seen Charlie Vickers before? Vickers has appeared in the series Medici but this is one of his first screen roles outside of that. Since season 1 he has appeared in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.
Who else has played Sauron? In the beginning scenes of season 2, Sauron was played by actor Jack Lowden.
Robert Aramayo plays Elrond
Who is Elrond? Elrond is a Half-Elven politician, previously played by Hugo Weaving in Peter Jackson's films where he is the Lord of Rivendell. Elrond is friends with both Galadriel and the Dwarven Prince Durin IV in The Rings of Power.
At the end of season 1, Galadriel betrayed Elrond by not telling him about Sauron's true identity, so we see their fractured relationship continue.
Where have I seen Robert Aramayo before? Aramayo has appeared in The King's Man, Mindhunter and the Netflix mini-series Behind Her Eyes. He also played a young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones.
Markella Kavenagh plays Elanor 'Nori' Brandyfoot
Who is Elanor 'Nori' Brandyfoot? Nori is a Harfoot, who are visually similar to Hobbits but don't have a home like they have The Shire. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
During season 1, Nori built a relationship with Daniel Weyman's The Stranger and, at the end of the season, heads off on a journey with him to Rhûn. Along the way, they're joined by Poppy Proudfellow.
Where have I seen Markella Kavenagh before? Kavenagh has appeared in The Cry, Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Gloaming, amongst other series.
Benjamin Walker plays High King Gil-galad
Who is High King Gil-galad? Gil-galad is the the High King of the Noldor, High Elves of the Second Clan who migrated to Middle-earth from Valinor. Gil-galad resides in Lindon.
Where have I seen Benjamin Walker before? Walker is best known for his roles in Jessica Jones and Traitors.
Ismael Cruz Córdova plays Arondir
Who is Arondir? Arondir is a Silvan Elf tasked with watching over the people of the Southlands. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
At the beginning of season 2, it's revealed that Arondir has suffered a major loss, with the death of Bronwyn. Her son Theo also tells Arondir he wants nothing more to do with him, and that their relationship died with his mother.
Where have I seen Ismael Cruz Córdova before? Cruz Córdova had a small role in The Mandalorian and has appeared in other projects such as The Catch, Ray Donovan, The Good Wife and Mary Queen of Scots. More recently he has appeared in Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities and FinestKind.
Tyroe Muhafidin plays Theo
Who is Theo? Theo is Bronwyn’s son who is in possession of a dark weapon. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
With the death of his mother Bronwyn off-screen, Theo has taken over her duties as healer. However, he's clearly broken from the tragic loss.
Where have I seen Tyroe Muhafidin before? This is Muhafidin's first major screen role.
Charles Edwards plays Lord Celebrimbor
Who is Celebrimbor? Celebrimbor is the Elven smith who forges the Rings of Power. Season 2 will focus on Sauron's manipulation of him.
Edwards told RadioTimes.com that, in season 2, Celebrimbor is "in danger of allowing his pride to topple him, his ambition and his vision for how he likes to see himself".
He continued: "He is a hugely celebrated being, but he wants more, and particularly the little devil on his shoulder is the spectre of the success of his grandfather, and what he achieved, and he always wants to eclipse that. He's been chasing his tail with regard to that, and nothing, I don't think, will ever satisfy him. But that will prove his undoing."
Where have I seen Charles Edwards before? Edwards has appeared in The Crown, Ripper Street, Downton Abbey and Sherlock, while he also had a small role in Batman Begins.
Daniel Weyman plays The Stranger
Who is The Stranger? The Stranger is a mysterious character who crashed to Middle-earth in a red-streaked comet. We later learned he was an Istar, another name for a wizard, fuelling rumours that he will turn out to be the iconic Gandalf the Grey - although this has yet to be confirmed.
Showrunner JD Payne said of the character's journey in season 2: "What this season is about for this character is a journey of self-discovery. He's learnt that he's a wizard but he doesn’t really know how to control his powers yet and he doesn't know how he's supposed to use them or who he's supposed to fight.
"You're going on the same journey that he is. The 'who?' is part of it, but that's not the entire sundae, that's the cherry on top. But it will be answered this season."
Where have I seen Daniel Weyman before? Weyman has appeared in Silent Witness, Gentleman Jack and Foyle's War alongside other series and films.
Sam Hazeldine plays Adar
Who is Adar? Adar is a corrupt elf who now commands a horde of Orcs who are ravaging the Southlands in Middle-Earth. He was played by Joseph Mawle in season 1.
Speaking about what's to come for his character, Hazeldine exclusively told RadioTimes.com: "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.'"
As for whether Adar and Galadriel could ever form an alliance, he added: "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."
What else has Sam Hazeldine been in? Hazeldine has had roles in many films and series over the years, including Midsomer Murders, Silent Witness, The Monuments Men, Peaky Blinders, Grimsby, Temple, The Last Duel, Slow Horses, The Sandman, Rain Dogs, The Witcher and Masters of the Air.
Owain Arthur plays Prince Durin IV
Who is Prince Durin IV? Prince Durin IV is a prince of the Dwarven city Khazad-dûm and an old friend of Elrond.
Season 2 will continue to explore the dynamic between Prince Durin and his father, King Durin.
Where have I seen Owain Arthur before? Arthur is mostly known for his theatre roles, but he has also appeared in films including The One and Only Ivan and series such as Death in Paradise, Casualty and Babylon.
Sophia Nomvete plays Princess Disa
Who is Princess Disa? Princess Disa is the friendly Dwarven princess who is married to Prince Durin IV.
Where have I seen Sophia Nomvete before? Nomvete has previously appeared in the children's series Swashbuckle. She has more recently had roles in Wednesday and Mafia Mamma.
Peter Mullan plays King Durin III
Who is King Durin III? The father of Prince Durin IV and the monarch ruling over the Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm.
Where have I seen Peter Mullan before? The Scottish actor is best known for his roles in the Ken Loach film My Name Is Joe, Paddy Considine's film Tyrannosaur, and the TV series The Fixer, Top of the Lake, Mum, Ozark, Westworld, Cursed and Payback. Mullan is also a director and helmed the films The Magdalene Sisters and Neds.
Lloyd Owen plays Elendil
Who is Elendil? Elendil is a sea captain and the head of a 'known' family in Númenor. He is the father to Isildur and Eärien. Elendil was portrayed by Peter McKenzie in the prologue of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Where have I seen Lloyd Owen before? Owen is known for his roles in Cleaning Up, Silent Witness, Death in Paradise and Monarch of the Glen.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson plays Queen Regent Míriel
Who is Queen Regent Míriel? Míriel is the Queen Regent of Númenor, an Island Kingdom of Men.
At the beginning of season 2, we see some of the people of Númenor lose faith in her leadership.
Where have I seen Cynthia Addai-Robinson before? Addai-Robinson is best known for her roles in Power, Arrow and Shooter, while she also appeared in the Ben Affleck film The Accountant and in Star Trek Into Darkness.
Trystan Gravelle plays Pharazôn
Who is Pharazôn? Pharazôn is Queen Regent Míriel's advisor and the Chancellor of Númenor.
At the beginning of season 2, we see the start of an uprising as some believe he is destined for the throne.
Where have I seen Trystan Gravelle before? Gravelle has had roles in A Discovery of Witches, Baptiste, Quiz, Trying and Great Expectations, alongside other series.
Maxim Baldry plays Isildur
Who is Isildur? Isildur is a sea cadet and is the son of Elendil. He is Eärien's brother. Isildur was portrayed by Harry Sinclair in flashbacks in the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
During season 2, we see him encounter a mysterious character called Estrid, who is clearly hiding something.
Where have I seen Maxim Baldry before? Baldry is best known for his roles in Hollyoaks and Years and Years, but has also appeared in Doctor Who and Skins amongst other series.
Ema Horvath plays Eärien
Who is Eärien? Eärien is Isildur's sister and the daughter of Captain Elendil. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
Where have I seen Ema Horvath before? Horvath has had roles in the series Don't Look Deeper and the film What Lies Below. She has recently appeared in The Strangers: Chapter 1.
Leon Wadham plays Kemen
Who is Kemen? Kemen is a Númenórean nobleman and the son of Pharazôn. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
Where have I seen Leon Wadham before? Wadham has appeared in the series Go Girls and The Bad Seed.
Megan Richards plays Poppy Proudfellow
Who is Poppy Proudfellow? Poppy is a Harfoot. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
During season 2, she decides to accompany Nori and The Stranger on their journey.
Where have I seen Megan Richards before? Richards has appeared in the series Wanderlust and Doctors.
Rory Kinnear plays Tom Bombadil
Who is Tom Bombadil? Tom Bombadil is a woodland-dwelling man who is known for his singing and his brightly coloured clothes. He appeared in Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring, but was cut from Peter Jackson's adaptation.
On what drew him to the character of Tom Bombadil, Kinnear told Radio Times: "He has a quite jovial positivity, but there is this notion that he has seen all of life and everything that has gone before – and in that way has a sense of everything that will happen in the future as well."
He added to RadioTimes.com: "Obviously it's great to have some source material to work with when you're creating a character. Quite often, you're having to use your own imagination right from that from a blank page.
"So actually, for some guidance to be given to you, and I was trying to put as much to one side, the idea of how beloved he was and how excited people might be for this first representation of him on screen and just try to focus on how I connected to him and what he meant to me."
Where have I seen Rory Kinnear before? Kinnear is a prolific film and TV actor, perhaps best-known for his roles as Bill Tanner in the James Bond film series. He also had major roles in films such as The Imitation Game, Men and Bank of Dave, and series such as Black Mirror, Our Flag Means Death, Years and Years, Inside No. 9, Penny Dreadful and The Diplomat.
Ciarán Hinds as Dark Wizard
Who is Dark Wizard? Dark Wizard is a dark and powerful wizard, whose origins and intentions are shrouded in secrecy.
Where have I seen Ciarán Hinds before? Hinds is known for his major film roles including in Calendar Girls, The Phantom of the Opera, Munich, Miami Vice, There Will Be Blood, In Bruges, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Frozen, Silence, Justice League, First Man, Belfast and The Wonder.
He has also had major roles in series including Game of Thrones, Rome, Above Suspicion, Shetland, The Terror, Kin, The English, Treason and The Dry.
Nia Towle plays Estrid
Who is Estrid? Estrid is a mysterious woman who accompanies Isildur for part of his journey - but it's clear she has something to hide when we see she's branded with Sauron's mark.
Where have I seen Nia Towle before? Towle has previously appeared in Rocketman and Persuasion.
Bridie Sisson plays The Dweller
Who is Bridie Sisson playing? The Dweller, an ethereal and villainous figure who has been confirmed to come from far to the east, from the lands of Rhûn. In season 1 they were hunting The Stranger.
At the beginning of season 2, The Dweller made a surprise re-appearance as an acolyte of The Dark Wizard.
What else has Bridie Sisson been in? Sisson is best known for her roles in Cowboy Bebop, The Justice of Bunny King, and Shortland Street.
Amelia Kenworthy as Mirdania
Who is Mirdania? Mirdania is the protégé of Celebrimbor.
Where have I seen Amelia Kenworthy before? The Rings of Power is Kenworthy's first major on screen role.
Calam Lynch as Camnir
Who is Camnir? Camnir is an expert elven map-maker, with a particular expertise in navigating the woods of Eriador.
Where have I seen Calam Lynch before? Lynch has previously had roles in films and series including Dunkirk, Mrs Wilson, Derry Girls, Benediction, Bridgerton, The Long Shadow and Archie.
Kevin Eldon as Narvi
Who is Narvi? Narvi is a dwarf blacksmith.
Where have I seen Kevin Eldon before? Eldon has had roles in many different series and films, including Brass Eye, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Hot Fuzz, Hyperdrive, Four Lions, Hugo, Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, Doctor Who, Danger Mouse, The Crown, Death in Paradise, Shadow and Bone, Sanditon, Napoleon, Trigger Point, 3 Body Problem, The Responder, Inside No. 9 and My Lady Jane.
Selina Lo as Rían
Who is Rían? Rían is one of the members of Elrond's band of warrior-elves. She was created for The Rings of Power.
Where have I seen Selina Lo before? Lo has previously had roles in films such as Haphazard and Hellraiser.
Ben Daniels as Círdan
Who is Círdan? Círdan is Master of the Grey Havens and a font of wisdom among the High Elves. He is an expert ship-builder.
Where have I seen Ben Daniels before? Daniels has had roles in series and films including Cutting It, Law & Order: UK, Merlin, Locke, House of Cards, The Hollow Crown, The Exorcist, Rogue One, The Crown, Benediction, Foundation, Argylle and Interview with the Vampire.
Tanya Moodie as Gundabel
Who is Gundabel? Gundabel is a Stoor. The Stoors are distant cousins of the Harfoots, and predate Hobbits.
Where have I seen Tanya Moodie before? Moodie has previously had roles in series including Silent Witness, The Clinic, Sherlock, The Mallorca Files, Tin Star, A Discovery of Witches, Ten Percent, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Motherland, Silo and The Change.
Gavi Singh Chera as Merimac
Who is Merimac? Merimac is a Stoor.
Where have I seen Gavi Singh Chera before? Chera has previously appeared in series including Doctors, Vera, The Lazarus Project and The Undeclared War.
Season 1 characters
Nazanin Boniadi plays Bronwyn
Who is Bronwyn? Bronwyn is a human, a healer woman and a single mother to a troubled boy named Theo. She carries romantic feelings for the elf Arondir.
Where have I seen Nazanin Boniadi before? Boniadi has appeared in series such as Homeland, Scandal and How I Met Your Mother, in which she played Barney's girlfriend Nora. She decided not to return for The Rings of Power season 2.
Lenny Henry plays Sadoc Burrows
Who is Sadoc Burrows? Sadoc is a leader in the Harfoot community. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
Where have I seen Sir Lenny Henry before? Henry is known primarily for his comedy, but has also appeared in films such as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and series such as The Sandman, Doctor Who and Broadchurch.
Dylan Smith plays Largo Brandyfoot
Who is Largo Brandyfoot? Largo is a Harfoot. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
Where have I seen Dylan Smith before? Smith has appeared in I Am the Night and Into the Badlands, as well as Tom Cruise's The Mummy and Maze Runner: The Death Cure.
Sara Zwangobani plays Marigold Brandyfoot
Who is Marigold Brandyfoot? Marigold is a Harfoot. The character is original for The Rings of Power.
Where have I seen Sara Zwangobani before? Zwangobani is best known for her roles in Home and Away, Monarch Cove and Love My Way.
Will Fletcher plays Finrod
Who is Finrod? An Elven warrior who is the older brother of Galadriel and who perished while hunting for Sauron.
Where have I seen Will Fletcher before? Fletcher previously appeared in the film The Road Dance and the short film Conversations at Dusk.
Read more on The Rings of Power:
- Rings of Power release schedule: When are Lord of the Rings episodes out?
- How to watch The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies in order
- What are Harfoots? The Rings of Power Hobbits and history explained
- Who is The Stranger in The Rings of Power? Daniel Weyman role theories
- What is the Second Age of Middle-earth? Rings of Power timeline explained
The Rings of Power season 2 will launch on Prime Video on 29th August – you can sign up now for a free 30-day Prime Video trial.
If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
