Rings of Power Reveals First Look at Ciarán Hinds as Dark Wizard in LOTR

Prime Video has released a new image of Ciarán Hinds‘ mysterious “Dark Wizard” character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. Hinds is known for his role in another massive fantasy franchise, playing Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones (and even appearing in the last film in the Harry Potter franchise). He’s one of the finest Irish actors of his generation thanks to great performances in films like Road to Perdition, Munich, There Will Be Blood, and Belfast. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 centers on the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron (Charlie Vickers) and Galadriel’s quest to defeat him. Hinds is certain to be a significant part of this storyline. Check out the new image below from Prime Video:

Prime Video

Prime Video also released a clip featuring a glimpse of the character. Described as “a dark and powerful wizard, whose origins and intentions are shrouded in secrecy,” Hinds’ character will play an important role in the adventures of the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) and his harfoot companion, Nori (Markella Kavenagh), as they journey east to Rhûn, searching for the Stranger’s magical origins.

Prime Video shared that the Dark Wizard has a “legion of magic-wielding acolytes who obey his every command.” Among them are the three beings seen tracking the Stranger in Season 1. Assuming this Wizard is the one who sent them, and knowing that the acolytes mistakenly believed the Stranger to be Sauron, this gives us some clues about the Wizard’s plans.

Watch the Season 2 Trailer for Rings of Power Below:

Who Is the Dark Wizard?

In Tolkien’s writings, only five of the Istari, aka Wizards, were sent to Middle-earth during the Third Age. Lord of the Rings fans have speculated which of the five will appear in the series. The Stranger was confirmed to be one of the Istari; which one he is remains a mystery. However, he is popularly considered to be Gandalf for several reasons.

Online sleuths have searched for evidence connecting the Stranger to Gandalf, highlighting similarities like wardrobe. As seen in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, appearance is an important indicator of one’s ranking in the Istari order. In the films, Saruman wears white and Gandalf wears gray, just like the Stranger. Furthermore, in the Rings of Power Season 1 finale, the Stranger reassures Nori, “When in doubt, Elanor Brandyfoot, always follow your nose,” which is coincidentally the same advice Gandalf says to Meriadoc in The Fellowship of the Ring film.

Some also speculate that the Dark Wizard is Saruman. However, this could challenge the established book and film lore, as Saruman, the White Wizard, is only revealed to have allied with Sauron centuries after the events of Rings of Power. Co-showrunner Patrick McKay told ComicBook in a recent interview:

“Saruman turns to evil, believing that that’s the best way to save the world, in whatever twisted logic he’s come up with. So
we know that good characters can turn to evil and we know that even wizards can turn to the dark side
, so to speak, and watching how that’s gonna play out with Ciarán Hinds is gonna be hopefully a real thrill for people.”

With Sauran and this Dark Wizard spreading their influence and flexing their power throughout Middle-earth, the stakes are even higher this season. It will be interesting to see how their nefarious schemes clash or benefit each other. Fans wait patiently for the reveal of this Wizard’s true identity.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
season 2 premieres on Prime Video August 29th.

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