'The Rings of Power' season 3: Everything we know so far

Gandalf (Daniel Weyman) holding his staff in "The Rings of Power" season 2
(Image credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video)

It's official: Prime Video has finally confirmed that "The Rings of Power" season 3 is happening.

While "The Wheel of Time" has been cancelled, Prime Video is all-in on their "Lord of the Rings" prequel series. News of the show's renewal came on February 13, 2025, when Amazon revealed the third season was in pre-production at the show's new home in Shepperton Studios in the UK.

"The creative team has an extraordinary vision of what’s to come with stories that have left us enchanted and enthralled,” Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement released at the time. “We look forward to continuing this epic journey, for our global customers, delving even deeper into the legendary tales that shaped Middle-earth.”

This comes despite reported viewing figures seemingly being a lot lower for the sophomore season. Deadline reported "The Rings of Power" season 2 was down 60% in total minutes watched compared to season 1. Nevertheless, we're returning to Amazon's Middle-earth again in the future, and we're keeping a close eye out for more news as it comes.

Here's everything that we know about "The Rings of Power" season 3 right now.

'The Rings of Power' season 3 release date speculation

Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and Galadrield (Morfydd Clark) locked in combat in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" season 2

(Image credit: Prime Video)

We don't currently have a "The Rings of Power" season 3 release date just yet, and with filming only recently getting underway, it seems likely that the epic fantasy series won't continue for some time yet.

There was a two-year wait between the first and second season, and — given the scope and scale of "The Rings of Power" — I'd wager we probably have a similar wait on our hands, especially seeing as filming on season 2 was carried out concurrently with season 1. I would be surprised if we see it air before 2026.

If you need another epic fantasy story to get wrapped up in in the meantime, you should check out our guide to the best fantasy shows on Prime Video for more streaming suggestions.

'The Rings of Power' season 3 cast

L-R: Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), and Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" season 2

(Image credit: Prime Video)

With a show as big as "The Rings of Power," we're bound to be meeting some new faces in the third season. However, we can pretty much assume that the majority of our "Rings of Power" regulars will be back for more — barring those characters who met their end in season 2, at least.

Here's the list of main stars we expect to see next time around:

  • Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
  • Charlie Vickers as Sauron
  • Robert Aramayo as Elrond
  • Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad
  • Daniel Weyman as Gandalf
  • Owain Arthur as Durin IV
  • Sophia Nomvete as Disa
  • Maxim Baldry as Isildur
  • Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
  • Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Míriel
  • Markella Kavenagh as Nori Brandyfoot
  • Megan Richards as Poppy Proudfellow
  • Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir
  • Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil
  • Ciarán Hinds as the Dark Wizard

And as of our latest update, we know of three new stars who'll be joining the action: Andrew Richardson ("Daughter of the Bride," "The Independent") Zubin Varla ("Andor," "A Little Life"), and Adam Young ("Don't Breathe 2," "Masters of the Air" .

Their roles have not been disclosed just yet, but we do know that Richardson has been cast as a series regular, while Varla and Young will appear in recurring roles. Interestingly, Variety notes that Varla has "already been credited with voice work" in the show so far

'The Rings of Power' season 3 plot

Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) holds one of the rings in "The Rings of Power" season 2

(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Amazon's logline for "The Rings of Power" season 3 reveals that we've got a time jump on our hands.

"Season 3 takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer all Middle-earth at last," it reads.

It's no surprise that the show's taking this direction. After all, season 2 was all about Sauron's rise to prominence. So far, he's taken Adar's army for himself, and he's secured the Nine Rings of Men after befriending and subsequently betraying Celebrimbor. The natural progression is, of course, to forge the One Ring.

The elves might have suffered the loss of Eregion, but, thanks to the intervention of the newly-crowned dwarven king, Durin IV, some survivors (Galadriel, Elrond, Arondir, and Gil-galad among them) managed to escape and flee to a safe haven (which will surely be Rivendell). Having resolved to stand against the would-be Dark Lord, it looks like we'll be seeing how they fight back.

And, having found Tom Bombadil and uncovered his staff and true identity in Rhûn, Gandalf is surely on a collision course with Sauron and his other foe, that mysterious "Dark Wizard" in season 2. Whether his Harfoot friends will continue to factor into his story remains to be seen, though.

Khazad-dûm is likely in disarray, too; after all, Durin IV was only named king after his father went to confront the Balrog that lived below the mithril mine. Durin IV now faces his own troubled rule, and the problems facing the Dwarven lords.

We're also heading towards the fated fall of Númenor; Pharazôn has ousted Míriel after accusing her of being allied with Sauron, and loyal Faithful Elendil has fled the seat of power with Narsil in tow. Pharazôn's established an outpost in Middle-earth and looks to take on Sauron's forces himself.

Is there a 'Rings of Power' season 3 trailer yet?

A head and shoulders shot of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) in the guise of Annatar in "The Rings of Power" season 2

(Image credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video)

Nope, and with production only recently getting underway at Shepperton Studios in the UK, I don't expect we'll be seeing a "Rings of Power" season 3 trailer arrive anytime soon.

The teaser trailer for "The Rings of Power" season 2 arrived in mid-May, just a couple of months ahead of the show's eventual August 29 premiere on Prime Video in 2024.

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Staff Writer, Streaming

Martin is a Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things movies and TV. If it’s in the theaters or available to stream somewhere, he’s probably watched it… especially if it has a dragon in it. Before joining the team, he was a Staff Writer at What To Watch where he wrote about a broad range of shows that stretched from "Doctor Who" and "The Witcher" to "Bridgerton" and "Love Island". When he’s not watching the next must-see movie or show, he’s probably still in front of a screen playing massive RPGs, reading, spending a fortune on TCGs, or watching the NFL.

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