With that kind of money being spent, you\u2019d hope that the series would be a hit, and the details that have been released so far certainly sound promising.<\/p>\n
Although plot information is understandably being kept under wraps, we do know that the show will delve into an earlier period in J.R.R Tolkein\u2019s monumentally large universe, following characters that are mentioned in the author\u2019s extensive notes and writings about Middle-Earth.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile a recent casting call asked for actors who were comfortable with nudity \u2013 suggesting that we might be seeing some steamy scenes in the new series, something we\u2019re not very used to seeing in Middle-Earth as the movies we have seen released have been largely family-friendly.<\/p>\n
Orlando Bloom, who played Legolas in the previous trilogy, has told Collider<\/a> that what\u2019s coming is different, adding, \u201cI think that\u2019s a good thing.\u201d However, not everyone is quite so enthusiastic, as co-star Hugo Weaving recently told Variety<\/a> that he\u2019s \u201cnot interested\u201d in reprising the role of Elrond in Amazon\u2019s project \u2013 he is also staying clear of the upcoming sequel to The Matrix<\/a>.<\/p>\n One thing that hasn\u2019t changed is Middle-Earth\u2019s home in New Zealand, as the crew have recently finished filming on the island nation. Let\u2019s be honest, the country is so synonymous with The Lord of the Rings that setting it anywhere else would feel strange.<\/p>\n Read on for everything you need to know about Amazon\u2019s Lord of the Rings TV series, with confirmed cast, showrunner details and release date \u2013 and of course, we\u2019ll be keeping this page updated as soon as new information drops.<\/p>\n The Lord of the Rings TV series will be released on Friday 2nd September 2022<\/strong> \u2013 which just so happens to be the birthday of hobbits Frodo and Bilbo Baggins aka Hobbit Day.<\/p>\n Episodes will then be released weekly on Amazon Prime Video.<\/p>\n The news was announced with a first-look image:<\/p>\n On September 2, 2022, a new journey begins. pic.twitter.com\/9tnR7WqDoA<\/a><\/p>\u2014 The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) August 2, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote> However, in case you misread the year, that is indeed a September 2022\u00a0<\/em>premiere \u2013 with Amazon quite possibly setting some sort of record by announcing the release date a whopping 13 months ahead of the show\u2019s debut.<\/p>\n Production on the series began in February 2020 and wrapped on 3rd August 2021 despite a delay caused by the coronavirus outbreak.<\/p>\n Amazon also announced that shooting took a break for four or five months after the first two episodes were filmed to see what was working.<\/p>\n And the shoot is not cheap: an incredible $465 million is being spent on the first season of the show, making the series something of a big gamble for the streaming service.<\/p>\n Bandersnatch star Will Poulter was meant to be playing lead character Beldor. However, in December it was reported that Poulter had been forced to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict, with his role instead going to Robert Aramayo<\/a> \u2013 who played young Ned Stark on Game of Thrones.<\/p>\n Poulter recently confirmed to NME.com<\/a> that he pulled out of the project due to a scheduling conflict created by the pandemic. \u201cI have utmost respect for everyone involved in that project,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I have no doubt it\u2019s going to be incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile Years and Years star <\/a>Maxim Baldry has also been cast<\/a>\u00a0\u201cin a significant role\u201d \u2013 news which has now been confirmed by Deadline<\/a>, with Baldry adding to an impressive CV that also includes roles in Doctor Who and 80 episodes of Hollyoaks.<\/p>\n Joseph Mawle \u2013 who is no stranger to fantasy fans due to his turn as Benjen Stark on Game of Thrones \u2013 has also been cast, with the star reportedly set to play the main antagonist in the series.<\/p>\n The full main cast was announced by Amazon in January 2020, with a host of new names \u2013 both familiar faces and relative newcomers \u2013 becoming attached to the project.<\/p>\n Welsh actor Owain Arthur is one of those to have joined the cast, with the show becoming the most high profile gig on his CV \u2013 which also includes appearances on Babylon, Casualty and A Confession.<\/span><\/p>\n Former Homeland star Nazanin Boniadi is another star confirmed for the series, while Australian actor Tom Budge had also signed on but has since left the project over creative differences, saying on Instagram<\/a>: \u201cAfter recently seeing the first episodes shot over the last year Amazon has decided to go in another direction with the character I was portraying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n One character who was in the film series and will appear prominently in the TV series is royal elf Galadriel \u2013 with Dracula and His Dark Materials<\/a> star Morfydd Clark taking over from Cate Blanchett in that role.<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ismael Cruz C\u00f3rdova best known for his role in Ray Donovan has also been given a role in the series, as has young star Markella Kavenagh \u2013 whose previous TV credits include Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Cry and The Gloaming.<\/span><\/p>\n Following in the footsteps of real-life knights Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Christopher Lee and Sir Ian Holm, Sir Lenny Henry himself has joined the series in an undisclosed role, while Power\u2019s Cynthia Addai-Robinson has also joined the sprawling cast.<\/p>\n Other stars involved in the series include, Ema Horvath (Don\u2019t Look Deeper), Megan Richards (Wanderlust), Dylan Smith (Maze Runner), Charlie Vickers (Medici), Daniel Weyman (Silent Witness) and screen newcomers Tyroe Muhafidin and Sophia Nomvete.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Just as filming was finishing in July 2021, Amazon announced yet more<\/em> cast members \u2013 namely Charles Edwards (The Crown<\/a>), Will Fletcher (The Girl Who Fell), Amelie Child-Villiers (The Machine) and newcomer Beau Casidy.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in all six of the Lord of the Rings\/Hobbit films, has expressed his interest in reprising his role for the TV series \u2014 sort of. During an interview on Graham Norton\u2019s BBC radio show back in December 2017, Norton asked whether McKellen would be annoyed to see another actor playing Gandalf.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean, another Gandalf?,\u201d McKellen responded, before adding: \u201cI haven\u2019t said yes because I haven\u2019t been asked. But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it? Gandalf is over 7,000 years old, so I\u2019m not too old.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Orlando Bloom \u2013 who played Legolas in the films \u2013 has all but ruled himself out, telling Entertainment Tonight: \u201cI don\u2019t know where I would fit in now in that world. If I think you\u2019re saying [I\u2019d come back] as Legolas, they probably got a 19-year-old kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Likewise Andy Serkis, who told \/Film<\/a> that there are \u201cno plans for [him] to be involved in it at all\u201d as Gollum\/Smeagol. \u201cI\u2019m really excited that there\u2019s going to be an Amazon TV version of it,\u201d Serkis said. \u201cI think it\u2019s a world that will continue to be explored.\u201d<\/p>\n On the other hand, Hugo Weaving recently said told Variety that he had \u201cmore than enough\u201d of Lord of the Rings the first time around, denying any return in the future.<\/p>\n \u201cMatrix might have happened,\u201d he said. \u201cBut Lord of the Rings, no, I would never \u2014 I\u2019m not interested in that at all. Look, I loved being in New Zealand with all those great people, and it was like going back to a family but actually, to be honest, I think everyone had more than enough of it.\u201d<\/p>\n When Amazon acquired the rights to Lord of the Rings for a hefty sum, they made a multi-season commitment that also included a potential spin-off series.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, each season will still need to have formal approval to go-ahead from the Amazon execs, in the unlikely scenario that the series is an utter commercial disaster.<\/p>\n The company seems to have faith that won\u2019t be the case, as it has confirmed a second season already before the first season has even started filming. The series will go on hiatus for about four months before filming begins again.<\/p>\n After plenty of speculation, Amazon Studios has confirmed that Middle-Earth will once again be brought to life in the environs of New Zealand<\/a>, which formed the backdrop for Peter Jackson\u2019s award-winning trilogy.<\/p>\n In a statement, showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay said: \u201cAs we searched for the location in which we could bring to life the primordial beauty of the Second Age of Middle-earth, we knew we needed to find somewhere majestic, with pristine coasts, forests, and mountains, that also is a home to world-class sets, studios, and highly skilled and experienced craftspeople and other staff.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019re happy that we are now able to officially confirm New Zealand as our home for our series based on stories from J.R.R. Tolkien\u2019s\u00a0The Lord of the Rings.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are grateful to the people and the government of New Zealand and especially Auckland for supporting us during this pre-production phase. The abundant measure of Kiwi hospitality with which they have welcomed us has already made us feel right at home, and we are looking forward to deepening our partnership in the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Good news for Tourism New Zealand<\/a>, then.<\/p>\n Rather than being a straight remake of the Lord of the Rings books, viewers of the TV version can expect a \u201cmore Silmarillion\u201d show, according to Frodo Baggins star Elijah Wood.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds more Silmarillion era. Not to get nerdy, but it\u2019s the Second Age of Middle Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n Amazon has revealed that the series will be set during the 3,441-year period before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. In the JRR Tolkien timeline, this is known as the Age of N\u00famenor, or the Second Age. They have also released a synopsis for what it will be about!<\/p>\n Amazon Studios\u2019 forthcoming series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth\u2019s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien\u2019s\u00a0The Hobbit<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0The Lord of the Rings<\/em>, 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\u2019s 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 N\u00famenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This means, unfortunately, that we probably won\u2019t see many of the characters from the original series in it, as they weren\u2019t around during this time.<\/p>\n 3,441 years is quite a long time, so it\u2019s not totally clear what part of the already established Tolkien lore we\u2019ll be seeing. The rise of big bad ring-thief Sauron and the formation of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men takes place at the tail end of the Second Age, but there\u2019s a whole lot of stuff that went on before that, which could be covered instead.<\/p>\n Welcome to the Second Age: https:\/\/t.co\/Tamd0oRgTw<\/a><\/p>\u2014 The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) March 7, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote> The show\u2019s writing team may decide to \u201cchronicle the downfall of the fabled civilisation of Man that Aragorn\u2019s bloodline was descended from\u201d \u2013 which would explain why it was originally rumoured that Aragorn\u2019s past would play a part in the series.<\/p>\n The news seems to confirm, however, that very few of the characters we know and love from the original trilogy will make an appearance, as most were born in the Third Age (apart from various characters including Galadriel, Elrond and Gandalf, who were born or existed in spirit form as \u201cMaiar\u201d before the Second Age).<\/p>\n So, yep, that\u2019s about three and a half thousand years worth of speculation as to what will go down in the series\u2026 Good thing we\u2019ve got another couple of years until it\u2019s released.<\/p>\n One perhaps surprising new development emerged in October 2020 when a casting call was put out asking for actors who were comfortable with nudity.<\/p>\n Coupled with the fact that the series lists an intimacy co-ordinator amongst its crew, this has led to some speculation that the series will include some sex scenes \u2013 something which may come as a surprise to fans of Tolkien\u2019s work.<\/p>\n A rather stunning first-look image was released in August 2021, and it did not take long for fan speculation to run wild. The city closely matches the description of the city of Tirion, located on Valinor \u2013 a realm outside of Middle Earth also known as the Undying Lands, where Frodo, Bilbo and Gandalf are seen sailing towards at the end of Return of the King.<\/p>\n However, it is the plant life that has gotten fans most excited, as the two trees on the horizon emanating light seem suspiciously similar to the Two Trees of Valinor. However, these aren\u2019t any old shrubs \u2013 named Laurelin and Telperion, the two trees were the first source of light in the universe until the first Dark Lord Melkor and giant spider creature Ungoliant destroyed them, with their flower and fruit used to create the sun and moon.<\/p>\n What is most notable about the Two Trees however is that their existence predates even The First Age, suggesting that the Amazon show will feature flashbacks or a prologue set even further in the past. The robed figure may also be one of the Valar who originally shaped and ruled the world, hinting that the series may well explore the creation of Middle Earth.<\/p>\n Amazon announced in July 2019 that Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom director JA Bayona will helm the first two episodes of the series. He will also serve as an executive producer, alongside his partner Bel\u00e9n Atienza.<\/p>\n They join Star Trek 4 writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, who will serve as co-showrunners. On their appointment, the pair released a joint statement stating that they were \u201cabsolutely thrilled to be partnering with Amazon to bring it to life anew.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care,\u201d they added. \u201cIt is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n Game of Thrones writer and co-executive producer Bryan Cogman will also be consulting on the series. After starting out as David Benioff and DB Weiss\u2019s assistant, Cogman went on to write various episodes of the HBO fantasy drama, including\u00a0season one\u2019s \u2018Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things\u2019, season three\u2019s \u2018Kissed by Fire\u2019 and episode two of the eighth season<\/a>, \u2018A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms\u2019.<\/p>\n The full LoTR creative team was later confirmed in July 2019, with Lindsey Weber (10 Cloverfield Lane), Bruce Richmond (Game of Thrones), Gene Kelly (Boardwalk Empire) and Amazon\u2019s former head of genre, Sharon Tal Yguado, all executive producing.<\/p>\n Writer\/executive producers also include Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad), Jason Cahill (The Sopranos) and Justin Doble (Stranger Things).<\/p>\n And the series has nabbed Star Wars: The Last Jedi\u2019s Rick Heinrichs as their production designer and Kate Hawley (Suicide Squad) to design costumes.<\/p>\n Also joining the creative team is Wayne Che Yip who has signed on to not just direct four episodes of the show, but to be an executive producer too. Yip is well known to genre fans for his directorial work having been involved in, amongst many other things, Doctor Who, its short-lived spin-off, Class, and Doom Patrol.<\/p>\n In May 2021 the latest addition to the creative team was announced to be Charlotte Br\u00e4ndstr\u00f6m, who is no stranger to big-budget fantasy TV having previously directed two episodes of The Witcher<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Oscar-winning director has confirmed he\u00a0won\u2019t<\/em> be involved behind-the-scenes on the new series. Speaking with French publication\u00a0Allocine<\/a>, he said:\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m not involved at all in the \u2018Lord of the Rings\u2019 series\u2026I understand how my name could come up, but there is nothing happening with me on this project.\u201d<\/p>\n The company may be keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to actual announcements, but behind the scenes Amazon has quietly been paving the way for its landmark release.<\/p>\n The show\u2019s Twitter feed, established in November 2018, has since February 2019 been linking to a series of online maps of Middle-Earth.<\/p>\n Over the course of a number of messages, the maps have gradually been filled in \u2013 but what could it mean?<\/p>\n \u201cI wisely started with a map,\u201d the messages begin, a quote from Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien.<\/p>\n \u201cI wisely started with a map\u201d \u2014 J.R.R. Tolkien<\/p>\u2014 The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) February 13, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote> The messages then continue, quoting from a section of the books describing the infamous rings of power.<\/p>\n Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, pic.twitter.com\/unJj1Bpde1<\/a><\/p>\u2014 The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) February 15, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote> Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, pic.twitter.com\/Btk2CRsQI2<\/a><\/p>\u2014 The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) February 18, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote> Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, pic.twitter.com\/uobDLiKzKs<\/a><\/p>\u2014 The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) February 25, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote> Here is the full text:<\/strong><\/p>\n Three rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,<\/em><\/p>\n Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,<\/em><\/p>\n Nine for mortal men doomed to die,<\/em><\/p>\n One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne;<\/em><\/p>\n In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie.<\/em><\/p>\n One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,<\/em><\/p>\n One ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them;<\/em><\/p>\n In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie.<\/em><\/p>\n With each message, a further part of the map is filled in. Could this be building to a major revelation?<\/p>\n You can explore the map in more detail on the Amazon website here<\/a>.<\/p>\nAmazon\u2019s Lord of the Rings release date<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Amazon\u2019s Lord of the Rings cast<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Robert\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2020\/01\/GettyImages-585206638-55f9786-scaled.jpg?quality=90&crop=18px%2C111px%2C2524px%2C1681px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"")
<\/div>\n![\""Joseph\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2019\/10\/Joseph-Mawle--0028dcb.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Joseph\\"")
<\/div>\n![\""Lenny\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2020\/12\/GettyImages-921744618-5898414.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Lenny\\"")
<\/div>![\""Gandalf\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2019\/08\/gandalf-539db1c.jpeg?quality=90&crop=10px%2C239px%2C2521px%2C1679px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Lord\\"")
<\/div> How many seasons of Amazon\u2019s Lord of the Rings will there be?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Where is Amazon\u2019s Lord of the Rings series filmed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Lord\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2017\/11\/Lord-of-the-Rings-c78a398.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Lord\\"")
<\/div>\nWhat is Amazon Lord of the Rings TV series about?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""AmazonStudios_210802A_HD"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/AmazonStudios_210802A_HD-6227459-e1627997407125.jpg?quality=90&crop=351px%2C0px%2C1217px%2C811px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"AmazonStudios_210802A_HD\"\\"")
<\/div>\nWho are the creative team behind Amazon\u2019s Lord of the Rings?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Will Peter Jackson be involved in Amazon\u2019s Lord of the Rings?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What do Amazon\u2019s Middle-Earth maps mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""(Amazon)"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/3-15d32ef956a740a9b7fe8ff2bbdbb4a1-3793ecc.jpg?quality=90&resize=587%2C413"\" "\\"\"Lord\\"")
<\/div>