Who is Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power? Rory Kinnear character explained

It was announced earlier this year that the enigmatic figure of Bombadil would be brought to the screen, played by British actor Rory Kinnear, and now, in season 2 episode 6, we're learning more about him.

Speaking about taking on the role of Tom Bombadil, Kinnear told RadioTimes.com: "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."

But who is this mysterious character? What role does he play in Tolkien’s work? Where do you know Rory Kinnear from? Luckily, we’ve got you covered.

Read on for everything you need to know about Tom Bombadil.

Who is Tom Bombadil in The Rings of Power?

A question that has puzzled readers of Tolkien’s great work since the pages first opened, and one with no clear answer.

His origins are unknown, but what we do know about him is that he’s old. Really old. It's even suggested he might have been the first living creature in all of Arda (Earth).

When describing himself in the novel, Bombadil says: "Eldest, that’s what I am… Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn… He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord (Morgoth) came from Outside."

Elrond has a similar description, saying: "But I had forgotten Bombadil, if indeed this is still the same that walked the woods and hills long ago, and even then was older than the old. That was not then his name. Iarwain Ben-adar we called him, oldest and fatherless."

While his origins are still debated among Tolkien fans, we do have slightly more knowledge about his abilities and how he interacts with the world around him.

Being the oldest being in all of Arda obviously tells us that Tom Bombadil possesses the power of immortality.

His singing is where his greatest power comes from, however, as he uses his voice to exert authority over both Old Man Willow, and later the Barrow-wights – both immensely powerful beings in their own right.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Kinnear said he honed in on "the enigmatic nature" of the character.

He added: "That sense of having seen everything and so whilst being aware of how important this interaction with The Stranger has the potential to be, he is also aware that should he choose a different path than the one he believes is the right one, that we will go back to beginning."

Season 2 episode 4 introduced Tom Bombadil. The episode, which also saw Ents and Barrow-wights appear and followed The Stranger, played by Daniel Weyman, as he encountered Tom after being separated from Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards), saw Tom drop quite the bombshell on The Stranger – that his task is to face Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and the Dark Wizard (Ciaran Hinds) and save Middle-earth.

In the latest instalment, season 2 episode 6, Tom Bombadil continues to teach The Stranger, this time telling him about Secret Fire, which gives The Stranger a terrifying premonition about his friend Nori.

While The Stranger is desperate to go and rescue her, Tom Bombadil tells him that he has to choose one path - saving her, or saving all of Middle-earth from Sauron and the Dark Wizard.

How old is Tom Bombadil in The Rings of Power?

Tom Bombadil's exact age is unknown – although he seems to suggest he was the first creature in Middle-earth, or even in the world.

In the book, he says he was "here before the river and the trees" and refers to himself as "eldest".

Questions have been asked over the years about whether Tom is Middle-earth's god. Showrunners McKay and Payne recently addressed that question – but decided not to answer it.

Payne said: "We would have no problem if that question was being asked. Because people say that about the character in the books."

McKay added to The Hollywood Reporter: "And I think people asked that of Tolkien himself. Tolkien chose to remain silent on it and so shall we."

Who is Tom Bombadil's wife?

Tom Bombadil's wife is a river-spirit named Goldberry from Withywindle - and she is briefly heard in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 4.

During the episode, The Stranger hears a woman's voice singing, although Tom dismisses his questions about anyone else being present.

While Bombadil and Goldberry didn't appear in Peter Jackson's movies, the spirit is described as having flowing blonde hair.

Who plays Tom Bombadil in The Rings of Power?

Tom Bombadil is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power by English actor Rory Kinnear.

Kinnear starred in four of the five Daniel Craig James Bond films as Tanner, M’s chief of staff, while also famously appearing in the first ever episode of Black Mirror as Prime Minister Michael Callow.

Kinnear hasn’t done a lot of work in the fantasy genre before, but speaking to Radio Times magazine's Sarfraz Manzoor, he expressed a desire to try new things.

"I like to do things I haven’t done before, from doing big action films to studio sitcoms, to television dramas to Shakespeare. But I’ve never done a fantasy thing before. I’ve never really understood it – it’s never been my bag."

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."

What is Tom Bombadil's role in the Lord of the Rings books?

Frodo and the other Hobbits of the story encounter Bombadil upon leaving The Shire, after getting in a pickle with Old Man Willow – a malevolent tree spirit.

Frodo searches for help, finding Bombadil, who commands the tree to release its prisoners, before inviting the group to stay at his house for a night or two.

During this stay, which takes place on an almost dreamlike quality, Frodo inadvertently tells Bombadil all about the One Ring he carries, and his quest to get it to Rivendell.

Asking to inspect the One Ring, Frodo gives it over without any reluctance, something he had previously shown to any other people prying about his possession of it.

From there, Bombadil actually puts the One Ring on, but it has no effect on him whatsoever, further confusing both Frodo and readers. He also tells Frodo that when the Hobbit does wear the Ring, its power of invisibility doesn’t hide him from Bombadil’s eyes.

Why isn't Tom Bombadil in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films?

Originally considered for a cameo appearance, Jackson decided to not pursue a role for the character in his films.

His justification for the omission was that Bombadil doesn't have a major impact on the wider storyline being told, and his introduction and development would hinder the films rather than help them.

The Rings of Power season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video – 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.