The journey continues: ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 insights
A tale meticulously planned
Before the first season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” even premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2022, executive producers and showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay had already laid the groundwork for Season 2. The unexpected downtime during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 provided them with ample opportunity to refine their vision. However, Payne and McKay have long envisioned how the series would unfold, chronicling the rise of Sauron (portrayed by Charlie Vickers) during the Second Age of Middle-earth, a period leading up to the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic novels.
“It’s surprisingly more mapped out than you would expect,” McKay reveals.
Crafting a new origin story
Season 2 kicks off with a sequence that the writers conceived six years ago: the “show-canon origin story” for Sauron. This creative liberty was necessary due to the sparse details Tolkien provided about the Second Age. While some Tolkien purists have expressed frustration over these deviations, Payne, McKay, and executive producer Lindsey Weber remain committed to their vision.
“It’s so tempting to find a narrative in why certain things in Season 2 feel different,” McKay explains. “It was really just the plan.”
Flexibility within a structured journey
Despite their detailed planning, the creators allow for some flexibility. Payne likens their approach to a road trip from San Diego to New York, where the major cities are predetermined, but there’s room for spontaneous detours.
“We give ourselves that latitude,” Payne says.
Exploring new territories
Season 2, premiering on August 29, delves into Sauron’s forging of the titular rings and the ensuing darkness that spreads across Middle-earth. The series also ventures into the uncharted territory of Rhûn, a barren wilderness east of Mordor. Here, the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), a wizard who might be an early version of Gandalf, travels with his Harfoot companion, Nori (Markella Kavenagh), in search of his purpose.
“One of the things we always look for is putting things on screen that are in Middle-earth that you’ve never seen before,” McKay says.
The enigmatic Rhûn
Originally a lush paradise, Rhûn has become a wasteland due to dark forces. One of these forces is a “biker gang on horses” pursuing the Stranger and Nori on behalf of an evil wizard played by Ciarán Hinds. Designing these characters proved challenging, and it wasn’t until post-production that visual effects supervisor Jason Smith suggested covering the horsemen’s faces with computer-generated masks.
“Every single one of those masks is a digital effect,” McKay notes.
Filming locations and challenges
The Rhûn scenes were shot on the Canary Islands, chosen for their suitably strange landscape. The rest of Season 2 was filmed in and around London, a move from New Zealand where Season 1 was shot. This relocation allowed the team to reboot their approach to building the show, although it was an Amazon decision.
“When you’re a producer, you go where they tell you,” Weber says.
Amazon’s investment and future plans
Amazon’s significant investment in “The Rings of Power” has been well-documented, with substantial sums spent on production and rights. Despite the current trend of financial contraction in the streaming industry, Amazon remains committed to the series, seeing it as a driver for various aspects of their business.
“We’re looking to bring people to the service and hoping to get lots of signups again,” says Vernon Sanders, head of U.S. and global TV for Amazon MGM Studios.
The road ahead
Payne and McKay have no contingency plans should Amazon decide to cut their journey through Middle-earth short. They remain focused on their vision and are determined to see it through.
“We’re not anticipating that,” McKay asserts. “We’re making our show and going all the way.”
For more details and to watch the trailer, visit The Rings of Power.
Personal reflections for enthusiasts
As a long-time fan of both cinema and TV series, the meticulous planning and creative liberties taken in “The Rings of Power” are both intriguing and commendable. The decision to explore uncharted territories like Rhûn adds a fresh dimension to the Middle-earth saga, offering new visual and narrative experiences. The use of digital effects to create the mysterious horsemen masks is a testament to the innovative spirit driving this series.
For those who cherish the rich lore of Tolkien’s world, the series’ commitment to expanding and reimagining the Second Age is a bold move that promises to keep the story engaging and unpredictable. The relocation to London for filming also brings a new aesthetic to the series, blending the familiar with the novel.
In the ever-evolving landscape of streaming content, “The Rings of Power” stands out not just for its substantial investment but for its ambitious storytelling. As we eagerly await the premiere of Season 2, it’s clear that this journey through Middle-earth is far from over.
For more insights and to watch the trailer, visit The Rings of Power.