James R | On 23, Aug 2022

It’s just over a week to go until the debut of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and a final trailer gives us one last look at Amazon’s foray into Middle-earth.

The trailer highlights the epic expanse of Tolkien’s world in its Second Age, and reveals how legendary and beloved characters will come together against all odds and across great distances to guard against the feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth.

The trailer features key cast members Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), and Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards); Harfoots Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh) and Largo Brandyfoot (Dylan Smith); The Stranger (Daniel Weyman); Númenóreans Isildur (Maxim Baldry), Eärien (Ema Horvath), Elendil (Lloyd Owen), Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), and Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson); Dwarves King Durin III (Peter Mullan), Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur), and Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete); Southlanders Halbrand (Charlie Vickers); Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi); and Silvan-elf Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova).

You can see them in action fully on Friday 2nd September, when the first two episodes arrive on Amazon Prime Video, followed by new episodes weekly until the eighth and final episode on 14th October.

 

The Rings of Power: Amazon reveals new Lord of the Rings series trailer

6th July 2022

“The skies are strange…” That’s the sound of a new teaser trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which Amazon has exclusively unveiled for Amazon Prime members.

Update: The trailer is now available online for everyone to see. Watch it below.

The 60-second sneak peek is available a first-look for Prime members for 48 hours from 6th July, teasing an ominous sign in the night sky that raises questions for the inhabitants of Middle-earth. Amazon has also surprised Prime members from around the world with an opportunity to attend the London Global Premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in August.

The series, which premieres on 2nd September, takes us back to JRR Tolkien’s fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history, thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil in Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains and the forests of the elf-capital of Lindon to the island kingdom of Númenor, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

Watch the new video here – or head this way for the first trailer and more details about the cast and characters.

 

Watch: Amazon unveils Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power trailer at Comic-Con

23rd July 2022

“We thought the war had ended…” says Galadriel in the new trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – and the video gives us our closest look yet at the ominous beginnings for Amazon’s prequel series.

Unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con, along with several other scenes from the series, the trailer was presented by Stephen Colbert, who hosted a panel with series showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay, EP Lindsey Weber and 21 members of the ensemble cast.

The series brings to screens for the first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth – thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and a dangerous villain threatened to cover all the world in darkness. That would be Sauron, and we get what might be our first look at him here in his mortal/pre-evil-lord phase. Either way, his sinister vibes seep through a trailer that largely focuses on the long-feared reemergence of evil in Middle-earth. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the trailer highlights the way that characters, both familiar and new, are confronted by another threat they hoped wouldn’t surface, while also giving us a glimpse of epic landscapes ranging from the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains to the majestic forests of the elf capital of Lindon, not to mention the kingdom of Númenor.

You can see the end result on 2nd September, when the series premieres on Amazon Prime Video, with new episodes available weekly.

Watch: New trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

14th July 2022

It’s not long now until The Lord of the Rings is back on our screens and a new trailer gives us our closest look yet at Amazon’s The Rings of Power series.

The multi-season drama is an epic telling of JRR Tolkien’s fabled Second Age of Middle-earth – thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and a powerful villain threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

The new trailer gives us a first look at some characters from the island kingdom of Númenor. The characters are Isildur (Maxim Baldry), Elendil (Lloyd Owen), Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), and Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). Additional Númenóreans also recently announced are Kemen (Leon Wadham) and Eärien (Ema Horvath).

The teaser trailer also highlights some of the realms viewers will visit over the eight-part first season, including the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes and the Sundering Seas. Also featured are key cast members Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), the Harfoots Marigold Brandyfoot (Sara Zwangobani), Elanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh), Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards) and Sadoc Burrows (Sir Lenny Henry), The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), the Dwarves King Durin III (Peter Mullan) and Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur), Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), and Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova).

The series will premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video on 2nd September, with episodes arriving weekly. Here’s the video:

 

The Rings of Power: Amazon reveals new Lord of the Rings characters

21st April 2022

Amazon’s new The Lord of the Rings series is still a ways off, but the online giant continues to drip-feed details to tease fans ahead of its September debut – and the latest are a pair of images unveiling two characters.

The prequel series brings to life the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and a powerful villain threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, including a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), new character Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), elven leader Elrond (Robert Aramayo), elf Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), dwarven princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete), elven smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), sailor Isildur (Maxim Baldry), plus a harfoot elder (Lenny Henry) and two harfoots (Megan Richards and Markella Kavenagh).

The new images give us a first proper look at healer Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniada), who is a single mother and healer who lives in Southlands and is in a forbidden romance with Arondir. They also unveil Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo.

 

Watch: First trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

14th February 2022

Amazon Prime Video is getting ready to take us back to Middle-earth this September, and a new trailer gives us a first look at The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

The prequel series brings to life the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and a powerful villain threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil in Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains and the forests of the elf-capital of Lindon to the island kingdom of Númenor, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

Since the project was announced, Amazon has been stepping up the images, posters and details about the series – last week we got official confirmation about some of the main characters, including a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), new character Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), elven leader Elrond (Robert Aramayo), healer Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniada), elf Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), dwarven princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete), elven smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), sailor Isildur (Maxim Baldry), plus a harfoot elder (Lenny Henry) and two harfoots (Megan Richards and Markella Kavenagh).

You can see them all in action on 2nd September, when the series premieres on Amazon Prime Video. Until then, here’s the first teaser trailer, fresh from last night’s Super Bowl:

The Rings of Power: Amazon releases first images for Lord of the Rings series

10th February 2022

With just over half a year to go until The Lord of the Rings returns to our screens as an all-new series, Amazon Studios has unveiled the first images of the new drama, set thousands of years before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Beginning in a time of relative peace – as the evil Morgoth has been defeated and his apprentice, Sauron, has disappeared – the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

Now, we have our first details of who these characters are – and what they’ll look like – thanks to a splashy new feature in Vanity Fair.

Morfydd Clark has officially been unveiled as a young Galadriel, who is hunting down the people who took the life of her brother. We’ll reportedly meet her as she’s struggling to survive on the Sundering Seas alongside another castaway, Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), a character running from his own past who has been created for the series.

Another familiar returning face will be elven leader Elrond, played by Robert Aramayo as a young man with political ambitions.

Other cast members include Nazanin Boniadi as Bronwyn, a single mother and healer who lives in Southlands, who is in a forbidden romance with elf Arondir, played by Ismael Cruz Córdova. Also appearing will be Sophia Nomvete as dwarven princess Disa.

And, acting as a chorus of sorts, will be some “lovable, curious” harfoots (a type of Hobbit), played by Megan Richards and Markella Kavenagh, with Sir Lenny Henry playing a harfoot elder.

The series will bring to life such locations as Khazad-dûm, the necropolis carved deep into the Misty Mountains, and the elven capital of Lindon. And, along the way, we’ll be introduced to elven smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), who helped forge Sauron’s rings of power, and the sailor Isildur (Maxim Baldry), who will one day cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand.

You can see them all in action on 2nd September, when the series premieres on Amazon Prime Video.

 

Amazon unveils character posters for The Lord of the Rings series

7th February 2022

With 2022 now in full swing, Amazon Prime Video is already looking ahead to its big TV show of the year: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

The multi-season drama brings to screens for the first time the legends of the Second Age of Middle-earth. Set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the series will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and one of the greatest villains that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

Said characters are still being kept under wraps, but we know they’ll be played by an ensemble that includes Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani.

Now, we’ve got our first look – sort of – at them, with more than 20 (yes, really) posters unveiled today:

 

The Rings of Power: Amazon unveils The Lord of the Rings series title

19th January 2022

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series will officially be called The Rings of Power.

The subtitle will not be lost on JRR Tolkien fans, foreshadowing the events that weld the major events of Tolkien’s Second Age together: the forging of the iconic rings. The multi-season drama brings to screens for the first time the legends of the Second Age of Middle-earth. Set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the series will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and one of the greatest villains that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

The series is led by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay. They are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, JA Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado, and producers Ron Ames and Christopher Newman. Wayne Che Yip is co-executive producer and directs along with J.A. Bayona and Charlotte Brändström.

“This is a title that we imagine could live on the spine of a book next to J.R.R. Tolkien’s other classics. The Rings of Power unites all the major stories of Middle-earth’s Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men,” said Payne and McKay. “Until now, audiences have only seen on-screen the story of the One Ring – but before there was one, there were many… and we’re excited to share the epic story of them all.”

In a promise indication that the series will rely on practical effects as well as CGI, the title announcement was physically forged in a blacksmith foundry, pouring fiery molten metal into hand-carved wooden ravines shaped to the letterforms. The process was captured in slow motion for the video, which features voice-over narration of lines from Tolkien’s famous “Ring Verse”, describing the intended recipients of the 20 Rings of Power.

The series will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Friday 2nd September. Here’s the video:

 

First look: Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series set for September 2022 release

2nd August 2021

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings TV series will premiere on Friday 2nd September 2022 – and a new image gives us a first look at it.

The new epic drama brings to screens for the very first time J.R.R. Tolkien’s fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. Beginning in a time of relative peace, thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.

Headlining the ensemble cast are Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani.

The series is led by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay; they are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, J.A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado, co-executive producer Wayne Che Yip, director Charlotte Brändström, and producer Christopher Newman.

“The journey begins September 2, 2022 with the premiere of our original The Lord of the Rings series on Prime Video,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “I can’t express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth! Our talented producers, cast, creative, and production teams have worked tirelessly in New Zealand to bring this untold and awe-inspiring vision to life.”

“As Bilbo says, ‘Now I think I am quite ready to go on another journey.’ Living and breathing Middle-earth these many months has been the adventure of a lifetime. We cannot wait for fans to have the chance to do so as well,” said Payne and McKay.

Filming on Season 1 is now complete. Episodes will arrive weekly next year.

Charlotte Brändström joins Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series

16th May 2021

Swedish-French Director Charlotte Brändström has joined the creative team of its forthcoming Amazon The Lord of the Rings series.

The series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

As previously announced, the series is led by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay; they are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, JA Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond and Sharon Tal Yguado, co-executive producer Wayne Che Yip, and producer Christopher Newman.

Continuing the work of Bayona and Wayne Che Yip, Brändström joins the international ensemble cast, currently filming in New Zealand, to direct two episodes.

Brändström is an International Emmy nominee for Julie, Chevalier de Maupin. She has also directed over 30 feature films, mini-series, and movies-of-the-week including episodes of The Man in the High Castle, Outlander, The Witcher and Netflix series Jupiter’s Legacy.

“I’m very excited to be guided through Middle-earth by JD’s and Patrick’s vision and immerse myself in the iconic world of JRR Tolkien. It’s a great privilege to be in New Zealand to work with Amazon Studios’ outstanding ensemble of creative talents,” said Brändström.

“There are countless things still to see in Middle-earth, and great works to do,” she added, quoting Gimli.

The cast for the show includes Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers and Daniel Weyman.

At the end of last year, an impressive further 20 names were announced, including Lenny Henry and Peter Mullan, as well as Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Maxim Baldry, Ian Blackburn, Kip Chapman, Anthony Crum, Maxine Cunliffe, Trystan Gravelle, Thusitha Jayasundera, Fabian McCallum, Simon Merrells,​ Geoff Morrell, Lloyd Owen, Augustus Prew, Peter Tait, Alex Tarrant, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker and Sara Zwangobani.

 

Amazon unveils official synopsis for Lord of the Rings series

14th January 2021

The official synopsis for Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series has been unveiled, teasing a familiar villain lurking in the shadows.

The series, which is led by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, is set in Middle-earth and has already been confirmed as exploring new storylines preceding JRR Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

Now, the official synopsis has landed giving us a bit more detail and sense of tone: “Amazon Studios’ forthcoming series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

“Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.”

JA Bayona is directing the first two episodes and serving as executive producer, alongside his creative partner Belén Atienza. The series has been filming in New Zealand, with the cast including Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman.

At the end of last year, an impressive further 20 names were announced, including Lenny Henry and Peter Mullan, as well as Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Maxim Baldry, Ian Blackburn, Kip Chapman, Anthony Crum, Maxine Cunliffe, Trystan Gravelle, Thusitha Jayasundera, Fabian McCallum, Simon Merrells,​ Geoff Morrell, Lloyd Owen, Augustus Prew, Peter Tait, Alex Tarrant, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker and Sara Zwangobani.

 

Lenny Henry, Peter Mullan lead new cast for Amazon’s Lord of the Rings

5th December 2020

Lenny Henry and Peter Mullan are among the new cast members joining Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series.

The series, which is led by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, is set in Middle-earth and will explore new storylines preceding JRR Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

It is currently filming in New Zealand, with the cast including Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman, all of whom were announced earlier this year.

Now, they’ve got some company, with 20 new members joining the ensemble. As well Henry and Mullan, they include Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Maxim Baldry, Ian Blackburn, Kip Chapman, Anthony Crum, Maxine Cunliffe, Trystan Gravelle, Thusitha Jayasundera, Fabian McCallum, Simon Merrells,​ Geoff Morrell, Lloyd Owen, Augustus Prew, Peter Tait, Alex Tarrant, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker and Sara Zwangobani.

Blackburn, Chapman, Crum, Cunliffe, Tait, Tarrant and Wadham all hail from New Zealand, with the remaining international ensemble cast originating from Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK and the USA.

Payne and McKay said: “The world that J.R.R. Tolkien created is epic, diverse, and filled with heart. These extraordinarily talented performers, hailing from across the globe, represent the culmination of a multi-year search to find brilliant and unique artists to bring that world to life anew. The international cast of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series is more than just an ensemble. It is a family. We are thrilled to welcome each of them to Middle-earth.”

JA Bayona is directing the first two episodes and serving as executive producer, alongside his creative partner Belén Atienza.

 

4th March 2020

Maxim Baldry has joined the cast for Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

Already greenlit for Season 2, the show’s cast was announced by Amazon at the start of the year. The ensemble includes Robert Aramayo, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh and Joseph Mawle, as well as Morfydd Clark. Confirmed to be joining them are Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman.

Now, Deadline reports that another “lead role” has been filled, with Baldry signing on for what is understood to be a key part in the series. Baldry was most recently seen in the current season of Doctor Who and festive romance Last Christmas – and, in 2019, he impressed in BBC One drama Years and Years as Viktor.

 

Amazon officially announces cast for Lord of the Rings series

15th January 2020

Amazon has officially announced the cast for its upcoming Lord of the Rings series.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

The project has already been greenlit for a second season, with the series currently on hiatus to plan out its future. That, however, caused a scheduling conflict for its star Will Poulter, who had to drop out of the series, with Robert Aramayo said to be taking on the part of the hero, reportedly referred to as Beldor. Other previously rumoured members of the cast include Markella Kavenagh, Ema Horvath and Joseph Mawle, as well as Morfydd Clark as reportedly a young Galadriel.

Up until now, Amazon has not commented on any reports of the show’s production or casting, but finally, we have official confirmation of the first group of series regulars set to star in the new Amazon Original series. They include Robert Aramayo, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh and Joseph Mawle, as well as Morfydd Clark. Confirmed to be joining them are Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman.

As previously announced, the series is led by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay; they are joined by filmmaker J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom), who is directing the first two episodes and serving as executive producer, alongside his partner Belén Atienza; with executive producers Lindsey Weber (10 Cloverfield Lane), Bruce Richmond (Game of Thrones), Gene Kelly (Boardwalk Empire), Sharon Tal Yguado, Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad), Jason Cahill (The Sopranos), and Justin Doble (Stranger Things).

McKay and Payne say: “After undertaking an extensive global search, we are delighted finally to reveal the first group of brilliant performers who will take part in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series. These exceptionally talented women and men are more than just our actors: they are the newest members of an ever-expanding creative family that is now working tirelessly to bring Middle-earth to life anew for fans and audiences worldwide.”

Production will formally begin in February.

 

Robert Aramayo to replace Will Poulter in Amazon’s Lord of the Rings

8th January 2020

Game of Thrones star Robert Aramayo will take the lead in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings TV series, according to Deadline.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. These will be set a generation before the familiar events of Tolkien’s trilogy, in the Second Age of Middle-earth.

The project has already been greenlit for a second season, with the series currently on hiatus to plan out its future. That, however, has caused a scheduling conflict for its star Will Poulter, who has had to drop out of the series, which has so far filmed two episodes of Season 1.

Now, his replacement has been found, with Aramayo set to take on the part of the hero, reportedly referred to as Beldor.

The young Brit is no stranger to fantasy, having played Young Ned Stark in Seasons 6 and 7 of Game of Thrones. He can soon be seen in Netflix series Behind the Eyes. His feature credits include Nocturnal Animals, Antebellum, The Empty Man and The King’s Man.

He joins a cast that is thought to include Markella Kavenagh, Ema Horvath and Joseph Mawle, as well as Morfydd Clark as a young Galadriel.

 

Morfydd Clark joins Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings

14th December 2019

Morfydd Clark is headed from His Dark Materials to The Lord of the Rings, according to Deadline, which reports that she is set to play a key character in Amazon’s epic series.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. These will be set a generation before the familiar events of Tolkien’s trilogy, in the Second Age of Middle-earth.

The project has already been greenlit for a second season, with the series currently on hiatus to plan out its future. That, however, has caused a scheduling conflict for its star Will Poulter, who has had to drop out of the series, which has so far filmed two episodes of Season 1.

Nonetheless, the cast is still growing, with Morfydd Clark – fresh from playing Sister Clara in His Dark Materials and appearing in BBC One’s Dracula – reportedly set to play none other than a young Galadriel.

Other cast members reportedly attached include Markella Kavenagh, Ema Horvath and Joseph Mawle, although they have not yet been officially announced by Amazon.

 

Will Poulter exits Amazon’s Lord of the Rings
14th December 2019

Will Poulter has exited Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series due to scheduling conflicts.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. These will be set a generation before the familiar events of Tolkien’s trilogy, in the Second Age of Middle-earth.

The Black Mirror, Son of Rambow and Detroit star was the first cast member to join the fantasy epic, although his casting was never officially announced by Amazon. He was joined by Markella Kavenagh and Joseph Mawle, although they have also not yet been officially announced as starring in the show.

What Amazon has announced officially is that the project is already renewed for a second season. Deadline has reported that the show will go on a four to five month hiatus having filmed the first two episodes of Season 1 to plan out Season 2. That change in production schedule, though, has reportedly made it difficult for Poulter to stay on, given his other commitments.
The departure of Poulter will be a blow to the series, although the talent behind the camera are no strangers to the challenges of complex productions: showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay (Star Trek 4) leading a team that includes director J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom) and exec producers Belén Atienza, Lindsey Weber (10 Cloverfield Lane), Bruce Richmond (Game of Thrones), Gene Kelly (Boardwalk Empire) and Sharon Tal Yguado, plus writer/executive producer Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad), writer/executive producer Jason Cahill (The Sopranos) writer/executive producer Justin Doble (Stranger Things), consulting producers Bryan Cogman (Game of Thrones) and Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4), producer Ron Ames (The Aviator), writer/co-producer Helen Shang (Hannibal) and writing consultant Glenise Mullins.

 

Joseph Mawle joins Amazon’s Lord of the Rings

24th October 2019

If there were any doubt of Amazon’s ambitions for its new Lord of the Rings series, it’s made its intentions clear with the latest casting for its fantasy epic: Game of Thrones veteran Joseph Mawle.

Mawle, who also appeared in Ripper Street, played Benjen Stark on HBO’s series, which concluded its final season this summer. Now, Amazon is one of many looking to plug the gap and win over audiences hungry for the next genre hit, spending a whopping reported $250 million on the rights to JRR Tolkien’s books – before production costs even began to mount up.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. These will be set a generation before the familiar events of Tolkien’s trilogy, in the Second Age of Middle-earth.

Will Poulter has already been cast in the series alongside Markella Kavenagh. Now, they’ll be joined by Mawle, who will reportedly play a villain named Oren.

J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage) will direct the first two episodes of the series and also serve as executive producer, alongside his partner, Belén Atienza. Executive Producers are Lindsey Weber (10 Cloverfield Lane), Bruce Richmond (Game of Thrones), Gene Kelly (Boardwalk Empire), Sharon Tal Yguado, Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad), Jason Cahill (The Sopranos), and Justin Doble (Stranger Things).

Filming will take place in New Zealand at an unconfirmed future date.

 

Will Poulter joins Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings

4th September 2019

Will Poulter has joined the cast of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series.

The show, which was announced in 2017, is a huge undertaking for Amazon Studios, bringing a famous literary work to the screen and following in the footsteps of Peter Jackson’s blockbuster trilogy adaptation, which earned a combined gross of nearly $6 billion worldwide.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines a generation before J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring in the Second Age of Middle-earth.

Now, the show has found its first male lead in the form of rising Brit star Will Poulter. Poulter, who impressed in Son of Rambow and Wild Bill, is no stranger to the streaming world, with a lead role in Netflix’s Black Mirror interactive special, Bandersnatch. That followed turned in The Revenant and Detroit and led to a role in Midsommar this year. Now, he’s bagged his first lead role in the untitled Lord of the Rings series.

Variety broke the news, noting that Poulter’s character is being kept tightly under wraps, but he is thought to be joining Australian star Markella Kavenagh, who was in talks earlier this year for a series role too.

What we do know is that the team behind the camera is certainly impressive, with showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay (Star Trek 4) leading a team that includes director J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom) and exec producers Belén Atienza, Lindsey Weber (10 Cloverfield Lane), Bruce Richmond (Game of Thrones), Gene Kelly (Boardwalk Empire) and Sharon Tal Yguado, plus writer/executive producer Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad), writer/executive producer Jason Cahill (The Sopranos) writer/executive producer Justin Doble (Stranger Things), consulting producers Bryan Cogman (Game of Thrones) and Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4), producer Ron Ames (The Aviator), writer/co-producer Helen Shang (Hannibal) and writing consultant Glenise Mullins.

Also on board are costume designer Kate Hawley (Suicide Squad), Academy Award-winning production designer Rick Heinrichs (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor Jason Smith (The Revenant), Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey and renowned illustrator/concept artist John Howe.

 

Amazon announces creative talent behind The Lord of the Rings series

31st July 2019

Amazon has announced the full line-up of creative talent behind its new The Lord of the Rings series.

The show, which was announced in 2017, is a huge undertaking for Amazon studios, bringing a famous literary work to the screen and following in the footsteps of Peter Jackson’s blockbuster trilogy adaptation, which earned a combined gross of nearly $6 billion worldwide.

Set in Middle-earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. To be precise, it will take place in the Second Age of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, a generation before the events of The Lord of the Rings.

Rising Australian star Markella Kavenagh has reportedly been cast in the show, but Amazon is lining up some big names behind the camera, with showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay already announced, along with the previously unveiled J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom) at helm for the first two episodes. Bayone will also serve as executive producer, alongside his partner Belén Atienza.

They will be joined by an epic team of genre veterans, including executive producers Lindsey Weber (10 Cloverfield Lane), Bruce Richmond (Game of Thrones), Gene Kelly (Boardwalk Empire) and Sharon Tal Yguado; writer/executive producer Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad); writer/executive producer Jason Cahill (The Sopranos) writer/executive producer Justin Doble (Stranger Things); consulting producers Bryan Cogman (Game of Thrones) and Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4); producer Ron Ames (The Aviator); writer/co-producer Helen Shang (Hannibal), and writing consultant Glenise Mullins.

Also announced on the TCA press tour were costume designer Kate Hawley (Suicide Squad); Academy Award-winning production designer Rick Heinrichs (Star Wars: The Last Jedi); Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor Jason Smith (The Revenant); Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey; and renowned illustrator/concept artist John Howe.

Said McKay and Payne: “This team is our Fellowship – assembled from around the world, all walking the road together to try and accomplish something far greater than any of us could on our own. We feel humbled and extremely lucky to be surrounded by such inspiring and talented women and men.”

“As our journey into Middle-earth begins, we are in excellent hands with J.D. and Patrick at the helm, with this incredible team of talent that they’ve assembled,” added Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “The depth and breadth of the experience of this writing and production team is truly awesome, with a real respect for and knowledge of Tolkien lore. We’re so happy to have them on board and to see this exciting series start to come to life.”

Meet our Fellowship. pic.twitter.com/Npouu6ZlRt

— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) July 27, 2019

 

Markella Kavenagh cast in Amazon’s Lord of the Rings

24th July 2019

Rising Australian star Markella Kavenagh has reportedly been cast in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series.

Announced in 2017, the project is a hugely ambitious one for Amazon Studios, and not just because it costs a lot of money, although it does that too; the rights for J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels cost a reported $250 million, before production costs even began to mount up, with a commitment from Amazon to making multiple seasons.

Since then, Amazon has confirmed that the series will take place in the Second Age of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, a generation before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Amazon has also cemented its genre credentials by hiring Star Trek 4 writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay to pen the project.

They are joined by JA Bayona, who has repeatedly impressed with films such as The Orphanage and The Impossible and will direct the opening two episodes of Amazon’s epic – as well as serving as an executive producer, alongside Belén Atienza.

Now, the hunt is underway for talent in front of the camera. The first name to sneak out of the secretive production is Kavenagh. Deadline reports that she has signed on for a series regular role, although no details are known about her character. She is best known to date for her role in 2018‘s Romper Stomper, another TV series based on a movie, which aired on BBC Three in the UK.

 

J.A. Bayona to direct Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series

4th July 2019

Juan Antonio Bayona will direct the first two episodes of Amazon Studios’ upcoming series based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy novels The Lord of the Rings.

The director, who has repeatedly impressed with films such as The Orphanage and The Impossible, has signed up to helm the opening two episodes of Amazon’s epic series. He will also serve as an executive producer, alongside his partner Belén Atienza.

“J.R.R. Tolkien created one of the most extraordinary and inspiring stories of all time, and as a lifelong fan it is an honor and a joy to join this amazing team,” says Bayona. “I can’t wait to take audiences around the world back to Middle-earth and have them discover the wonders of the Second Age, with a never-before-seen story.”

“The scope and breadth of J.A.’s world-building is exactly the right fit for our ambitions for The Lord of the Rings. He’s a passionate and collaborative director who has brought new stories to life with his multitalented producing partner, Belén,” comments Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “We are all excited for them to join our writers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, and we can’t think of a better way to begin this journey to Middle-earth.”

“We are thrilled to have J.A. and Belen joining the fellowship as we continue to develop this epic series,” add writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay. “We have been great admirers of J.A.’s work for years, and know that his epic, cinematic, and deeply heartfelt aesthetic is the perfect sensibility to bring Middle-earth to life anew.”

Bayona’s first feature film, the critically acclaimed thriller The Orphanage, executive produced by Guillermo del Toro, premiered to a ten-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival and later won seven Goya Awards in Spain, including best new director.

Bayona most recently directed the blockbuster feature Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, but is no stranger to genre TV: he helmed multiple episodes of Showtime’s hit fantasy horror Penny Dreadful.

 

Game of Thrones’ Bryan Cogman joins Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series

23rd May 2019

How to follow the biggest fantasy TV series of all time? Hire one of the creators of the biggest fantasy TV series of all time. That’s the tactic being employed by Amazon Studios, which has recruited Game of Thrones producer Bryan Cogman for its new Lord of the Rings series.

Announced in 2017, the project is a hugely ambitious one for Amazon, and not just because it costs a lot of money, although it does that too; the rights for J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels cost a reported $250 million, before production costs even began to mount up, with a commitment from Amazon to making multiple seasons.

Since then, Amazon has confirmed that the series will take place in the Second Age of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, a generation before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Amazon has also cemented its geek credentials by hiring Star Trek 4 writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay to pen the project.

Now, it’s doubling down on talent with the addition of Cogman to the mix, reports Deadline. The co-executive producer of HBO’s epic wrote many of the key episodes – including A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in Season 8 – and was the third brain behind the show, tasked with keeping things faithful to the book.

Cogman is no stranger to Amazon, having last year inked a multi-year overall deal that sees him working exclusively with the online giant’s studio to create original series.

Amazon hires Star Trek 4 writers to pen Lord of the Rings series

29th June 2018

Amazon has found its showrunners for its new Lord of the Rings TV show.

The ambitious project was first announced last year, after Amazon outbid rivals to nab the rights to JRR Tolkien’s fantasy trilogy. In a deal that was thought to be in the region of $250 million, Amazon Studios secured the chance to adapt the property into a TV series, but that sum didn’t include any of the production costs, and also came with a two-year time limit in which to behin production.

While industry pundits have already forecast that the programme will be the most expensive TV series in history, Amazon hasn’t stopped to consider the cost and is instead getting closer to putting the project together. The first major step since last year has now been taken, with JD Payne and Patrick McKay hired to write the series.

The duo are rising writers in Hollywood, having just worked on Star Trek 4 for JJ Abrams. Deadline reports that Abrams was one of several producers who recommended the pair for the gig. Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke announced the hiring at its TCA press tour panel this weekend, revealing that the epic fantasy drama will have a writers room behind it. Payne and McKay will head up that room, after being picked from a shortlist of possible scribes, mostly with a feature film background.

“The rich world that J.R.R. Tolkien created is filled with majesty and heart, wisdom and complexity,” Payne and McKay said. “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Amazon to bring it to life anew. We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care — it is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime.”

The series will explore new storylines set before The Fellowship of the Rings, with Salke previously hinting that familiar characters will make appearances, even though it will not be a remake of the material already covered in the movies. The writers room will now be assembled to develop the show’s story further.

“We are really excited to move right into the next phase of the development process, which is building the world,” Salke commented.

Deadline also reports that conversations continue with Peter Jackson, director of The Lords of the Rings movie trilogy, about either potential involvement or using his sets in New Zealand for filming the series.

 

Amazon’s Lord of the Rings set to be most expensive TV series in history

6th April 2018

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series is expected to be the most expensive TV show ever made, with five seasons reportedly ordered.

In November 2017, Amazon Studios announced that it had acquired the rights to JRR Tolkien’s fantasy trilogy. The deal, which saw Amazon outbid Netflix to sign on the dotted line, cost a whopping $250 million. That, however, was only for the rights to the property, with talent, production and some undoubtedly hefty post-production all still to be paid for. Such costs will not remain theoretical for long: the clock is already ticking on the deal, which requires Amazon to begin production within two years, and current estimates place the likely price of the whole series far north of $1 billion.

That figure would make small screen history, outstripping even the generous $100 million budget of Netflix’s The Crown, one of the most expensive TV shows to date.

What Amazon will get for its money is starting to become clearer, thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, who this week spoke to Greenberg Glusker attorney Matt Galsor, who was the architect behind the deal.

“This is the most complicated deal I’ve ever seen,” Galsor explains, “but it was handled relatively quickly, in a way that brought the parties together in a close relationship. It was tough, but everybody liked each other and felt like a team more as the deal closed.”

The deal with not only the Tolkien estate, but also publisher HarperCollins and New Line Cinema, reportedly covers a five-season commitment for the project. It includes the rights to the books, but also the Peter Jackson movies, with THR reporting that Amazon “may use material from the films” as the basis of whatever it ultimately chooses to create.

Amazon previously confirmed that the TV show will be a prequel, exploring new storylines preceding The Fellowship of the Ring, with the deal also allowing for a potential additional spin-off series.

The films, of course, were a New Line production, and had their own fair share of legal tussles. Tolkien originally sold his rights to United Artists, before they went to MGM and Miramax, then New Line. With the trilogy taking in $5.85 billion worldwide in cinemas, Amazon was clearly prepared for any negotiations in order to secure a franchise that is deemed highly bankable and able to bring in new viewers.

“It’s very much a creature of the times,” comments Peter Jackson’s attorney, Peter Nelson. “We are in an era where streamers are bidding up the price of programming. I think Amazon is taking a page out of the studios’ emphasis on franchises. They also are realizing that with the overproduction of television, you need to get the eyeballs to the screen, and you can do that with franchise titles.”

And what of Jackson? Nelson was not involved in last year’s talks, but has reportedly helped to start a dialogue with Amazon, with the decision up to the filmmaker whether he will be involved as an executive producer or in another capacity.

 

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