With the premiere of the two initial episodes starts ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘ on Prime Video. An ambitious bet, as spectacular as it is discussed, that due to the labyrinth of rights that Tolkien’s work supposes, does not take as a reference the famous events that occurred in the Third Age that make up the argument of the Peter Jackson adaptations. Here we go thousands of years before and with characters that, for the most part, Amazon has invented for the series.
That is why we have created this character guide that will allow you to make your way through the abundant fauna of Middle-earth (and beyond) that ‘Rings of Power’ proposes. A glossary of the most notorious protagonists of this new adaptation of Tolkien.
Galadriel (Morfydd Clark)
The elf protagonist of this adventure, at least in its initial stages. She sets out on a quest for Sauron, disciple of Morgoth, the first great dark enemy the series introduces in its stupendous prologue. A younger, more active incarnation of the character that appeared in Tolkien’s work, it is his rebelliousness, devotion to his brother’s memory, and his constant suspicion that something is amiss in Middle-earth that leads him to undertake a new search.
Elrond (Robert Aramayo)
Another character that we could see in his most mature version (played by Hugo Weaving, in the same way that Galadriel was brought to life by Cate Blanchett) in Peter Jackson’s films. This half Elf is also a younger, impulsive and idealistic version of the one we met, a firm believer in understanding between races but always attentive to the designs of Gil-Galad, the king of the elves.
Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi)
Bronwyn is a human from the Southlands who works as a healer and veterinarian in a human settlement in contact with an Elven outpost. She maintains a friendly relationship with the Silvan Elf Arondir, which leads to a conflict with his family. She is the mother of Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin), a possible important character in the plot for being the bearer of a strange magical sword.
Hallbrand (Charlie Vickers)
Another important human character, also introduced in the plot due to his relationship with an Elf, although this time it is Galadriel who finds him in a shipwreck. At first suspicions arise because nothing is known about his enigmatic past. He will possibly be the most canonically heroic character in the series, although troublesome experiences from his past come to light that put his relationship with Galadriel at stake.
Isildur (Maxim Baldry)
Another old acquaintance of Peter Jackson’s films (slightly: he appeared in the prologue of ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’) in a somewhat more youthful version. Here, this Dúnedain is a seasoned sailor from Númenor eager to stumble upon adventure, yet he is also forced to carry on the legacy of his father Elendil (Lloyd Owen, another character who will play a central role in the series, though for now only has taken his first steps: we will see him, however, become quite a leader for the people of Númenor).
She is not the only member of Isildur’s family that matters: Eärien (Emma Horvath), her sister, is a kind of surrogate figure for their mother. Like the rest of Isildur’s family, she hardly intervenes in the first two chapters, so his real importance in the plot is yet to be revealed.
Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova)
This Silvan Elf patrols the Southern Lands, ensuring that the Evil that his people expelled long ago does not return. But he will end up in love with Brownyn, a human with whom he will embark on a journey to face the return of Sauron, and staying with her will force him to leave behind his fellow Elves, who end their surveillance of the zone.
Durin IV (Owain Arthur)
Together with his wife Disa (one of the characters in this series that has caused the most controversy as she was the first dwarf woman to star in an adaptation of Tolkien) he lives in the underground empire of Khazad-dûm. He is the prince and heir to the mines where his father reigns. He is (as usual with dwarves) the only comic relief in the series, and poses one of the script’s subplots in his reunion with Elrond, with whom he had a strong friendship in the past.
Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards)
An essential character in Tolkien’s mythology, although until now he had not made an appearance in the adaptations. He is the forger of the Rings, grandson of Fëanor and creator of the imposing forge of Eregion. His role is fundamental, since Sauron will force him to forge the One Ring that will bring devastation to Middle-earth, and his presence in the cast suggests that we will see that event in the future.
Gilgalad (Benjamin Walker)
The imposing High Elf King is also a general of the Elven army, and responsible for the settlement of his people in Middle-earth. He will come to confront Galadriel because of her suspicions that the Shadow is still hidden and waiting for her moment, and asks her to stop being suspicious and honor the memory of her brother who fell in combat. Although he has not had much of a presence in other adaptations of Tolkien, his name is mentioned repeatedly in the original work as a key part of the encounter between his people and Men.
Tar-Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson)
The queen regent of Numeror will become one of Galadriel’s main allies, and possibly the core of much of the court intrigue that unfolds in the series. She is the daughter of King Tar-Palantir of Númenor and genuine successor to the throne, but she will face his adviser Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle). This crack between the two will be exploited by Sauron, who will make Ar-Pharazôn the key to the fall of Númenor.
The Stranger (Daniel Wayman)
A still mysterious character whose nature is unknown, beyond the fact that it falls from the skies in a meteorite whose trajectory is observed throughout Middle Earth. He is unable to speak and quickly understands himself, despite his threatening appearance and his unknown intentions (there are those who identify him with both Sauron and the Blue Wizards), with the Hairy, the race of proto-Hobbits that have also been received with controversy. by fans having had to manipulate Amazon the Middle-earth timeline to fit them into the Second Age.
