'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power': What timeline is the series set in?
Of the many questions about Amazon's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power', the main one is the timeline the events of the series is set in. A pre-pandemic announcement in 2019 said the show was set long before 'The Lord of the Rings' and that was confirmed by the showrunners as the series' release date gets closer. The most expensive show ever made has already been renewed for a second season and that would mean the story told would be in-depth and the lesser-known Second Age will be in focus.
The major cast includes Morfydd Clark, Benjamin Walker, Charles Edwards, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Nazanin Boniadi, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Tyroe Muhafidin, Maxim Baldry, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Owain Arthur, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Leon Wadham, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani.
RELATED ARTICLES
'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power': Who is Daniel Weyman's 'The Stranger'?
When is 'The Rings of Power' set?
Prior to the series production, Amazon Prime Videos revealed that the prequel would be set in the Second Age of the Middle Earth. Fans of the franchise will know that this was 1000s of years before the events of the actual 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. And much of the familiar faces will be absent considering the series goes back in time.
While Galadriel will be one of the more prominent faces, Elrond will be the major elf character who will occupy some screentime as well. Showrunner Patrick McKay, in an interview with Vanity Fair, hinted at what to expect, "Rings for the elves, rings for dwarves, rings for men, and then the one ring Sauron used to deceive them all. It's the story of the creation of all those powers, where they came from, and what they did to each of those races."
The official synopsis puts things in better perspective, "Amazon Studios’ forthcoming series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkien’s 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', 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’s 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 Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone."
'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' premieres September 1, 2022, on Amazon Prime Video.