The upcoming second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power promises to delve deeper into the character of Sauron, previously known as Halbrand. This shift was hinted at in an interview with showrunner Patrick McKay, who explained, If you had to pick one reason to make this show and set it in this era of the mythology, that’s it. From minute one, we talked about Milton’s Paradise Lost, Walter White and Tony Soprano, and how Sauron has the potential to be like these great villain-heroes – hero meaning protagonist.

Sauron’s New Identity

The tail end of Season 1 unveiled Sauron’s true identity as Halbrand, but as Season 2 rolls on, viewers will witness him adopt a new guise—that of Annatar, the elegant Elf. Patrick McKay elaborated on this transition, stating, He was hiding amongst our story. The opportunity now with Season 2 is: the audience is in on the con. We know who he is. We have a pretty good sense of what he wants. The fun is watching other people get ensnared in the web. As the season unfolds, the plan starts.

The Epic Conflict

When The Rings of Power returns this August, it will depict a pivotal conflict from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore—the climactic war that sets the stage for much of the Second Age. As McKay hinted in recent discussions, the stakes are high and cleverly intertwine with deeper themes and historical conflicts.

A significant element coming into focus is Sauron’s transformation into Annatar, known as the Lord of Gifts during the War of the Elves and Sauron. This fresh perspective aligns with McKay’s goal to craft Sauron akin to complex figures like Walter White or Tony Soprano—a villain whose actions leap off screen with chilling resonance.

Harfoot Introductions

Season 2 isn’t just about malevolent transformations; it also ushers in new characters integral to expanding Tolkien’s world. One such introduction is that of Sir Lenny Henry as Sadoc Burrows among the Harfoots, described by Henry as the traditional Tolkien little guy. He noted that traditionally these small characters bring comedy but also display remarkable bravery.

A Grander Enigma

In addition to character revelations, Season 2 will attempt to untangle some high-stakes mysteries held over from Season 1. For instance, who exactly are the wandering Mystics mistaking for their master? And how did they misidentify Sauron’s true intentions?
McKay and fellow showrunner JD Payne have teased audiences with glimpses of answers that might come to shape Middle-earth’s fate.
As Prime Video counts down to its August 29 release date, viewers can catch up on all episodes from Season 1.