Just before 2026 ends, Amazon Prime Video will return to the world of Middle-earth with the third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Set thousands of years before the events of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies, this show dives into the Second Age of Middle-earth, chronicling the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron. Led by characters like Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel and Robert Aramayo’s Elrond, the second season also dives into the forging of the magical Rings of Power and the last alliance between Elves and Men.
Also included in this show is the world-famous wizard, Gandalf the Grey, formerly played by Sir Ian McKellen in Jackson’s two film trilogies. The Rings of Power features Daniel Weyman in this role, although his character was not officially confirmed to be Gandalf until the final episodes of Season 2. From here, Weyman’s hero will take on the early stages of his journey towards being the powerful protagonist McKellen turned into an icon through his movies, fighting creatures like the Balrog, the Orcs, and other allies of Sauron. Now, while details on Season 3 remain mostly a mystery, Gandalf comes back into the spotlight.
Empire officially revealed a new look at Daniel Heyman in his return to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. After the shocking reveal that his character was Gandalf the Grey at the end of Season 2, he will fully embrace the Gandalf look for the first time, using the wizard’s classic wooden staff and grey, pointed hat. His beard also now looks much more reminiscent of the beard Sir Ian McKellen donned during his six performances as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings movies.
Looking forward to next season, Gandalf is expected to be at the height of his power and embracing his full wizard persona that is already familiar to so many fans. From here, he will learn to hone and master his newfound abilities and lead the people of Middle-earth against Sauron, who will also be on his own rise to power.
Gandalf will have plenty on his plate in Season 3, as Sauron will look to forge the all-powerful One Ring and control the Nine Rings given to the leaders of Men. They are expected to move towards their transition into the Nazgûl, and along with multiple other major plot developments, the powerful wizard’s role should only expand from here.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will begin streaming on Prime Video on Nov. 11, 2026.
- Release Date
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September 1, 2022
- Network
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Amazon Prime Video
- Showrunner
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John D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Louise Hooper, Charlotte Brändström, Wayne Yip
