When Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power started in 2022, it brought fans back to the familiar lands of Middle-earth, filled with beauty and danger. The show had a huge budget, with each episode costing $58 million — adding up to $465 million, making it one of the most expensive series ever created.
While some fans criticized its creative choices, the show still earned strong ratings. The discussions about the show continue even into the second season, though it’s quieter now.
Many people compare it to Peter Jackson’s original Oscar-winning trilogy. Some fans think the show should be canceled, but Prime Video is standing firm and trusting in the team, just like the Fellowship in the story.
The Rings of Power takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth, showing a time in J.R.R. Tolkien’s world that hadn’t been seen in live-action before.
The showrunners, Patrick McKay and John D. Payne, have developed the characters so far. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, they addressed the unhappy part of Tolkien’s fanbase. Payne shared this message alongside McKay:
“The Fellowship had to look to each other, and those who support it, and remember what it’s fighting for. And when we see that millions of people are watching this and responding so positively to it — that’s who we’re fighting for.
And those who watch every episode and [negatively] write about it on social media and make YouTube videos, we’re happy to have you guys, too. It wouldn’t be a journey through Middle-earth without some trolls along the way.”
Prime Video Is Supporting ‘The Rings of Power’ for Future Seasons
The confident tone from the showrunners is understandable. The ratings for the second season of The Rings of Power have dropped sharply from its first season.
However, Prime Video recently shared that the first three new episodes of the second season had 40 million viewers worldwide.
Even though an official confirmation hasn’t been given yet, a third season of The Rings of Power has been in development for a while. After seeing these viewership numbers, Prime Video remains dedicated to its original five-season plan for the show.
A major focus of the second season is the rise of Sauron (Charlie Vickers), also known as the Great Deceiver. Currently pretending to be Annatar, a being of light, Sauron is plotting how to take control of all of Middle-earth.
Despite his evil nature, Sauron is not the only threat in Middle-earth. Some beings, created by the dark force Morgoth, are still hidden deep within Khazad-dûm. One of these is a Balrog of Morgoth, and the Dwarven kingdom might never be the same after it emerges.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is available to stream on Prime Video, with new episodes released on Thursdays.
