Prime Video gave fans a first look at season three of The Rings of Power at San Diego Comic-Con. The new season is set to arrive on November 11, 2026. While the show initially sparked debate when it was announced, many viewers are still excited to see what happens next in the story.
The recent Comic-Con presentation and trailer gave fans a glimpse into the upcoming episodes, showing both new and familiar characters who will appear in this adaptation of Middle-earth. Season three will introduce some original creations alongside well-known figures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Khamûl Will Become One of The Lord of the Rings’ Most Terrifying Villains
Season 3 of The Rings of Power will feature the nine humans who are fated to become the Nazgûl, also known as Ringwraiths. Among them is Zubin Varla playing Khamûl, the Shadow of the East – a character not mentioned in The Lord of the Rings. Information about Khamûl comes from Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth.
The text indicates Khamûl was the second-in-command among the Nazgûl, surpassed in power only by the Witch-king of Angmar. Since Amazon doesn’t have the rights to use material from Unfinished Tales, including Khamûl’s name likely involved a specific agreement with the Tolkien Estate, similar to what happened with the character Annatar in the first season.
According to a recent article in Empire Magazine, the series The Rings of Power will portray Khamûl as a powerful military leader who has been overthrown. Driven by his desire to regain control, he’ll accept a Ring of Power from Sauron, which will ultimately turn him into one of the invisible Ringwraiths serving the Dark Lord.
The Rings of Power’s Celeborn Will Finally Reunite With Galadriel
In both J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings book and Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy, the character Galadriel is typically seen with her husband, Celeborn. While Celeborn wasn’t a central figure in either the book or films, many fans were surprised and disappointed that he didn’t appear in the first seasons of The Rings of Power.
As a fan, I was surprised to learn that the show’s version of Celeborn actually disappeared during the war with Morgoth – Tolkien’s writings never said that happened! It honestly felt like they did that just to give Galadriel some other romantic options, especially with Halbrand. But finally, in Season 3, we’re going to see him! Jamie Campbell Bower, who I recognize from Stranger Things, is playing Celeborn, and I’m really curious to see how his story unfolds.
The new trailer featured a scene of Celeborn and Galadriel dancing, likely showing them meeting for the first time – a moment Galadriel previously discussed in Season 1. There was also a quick shot of Galadriel looking shocked to see Celeborn is still alive, dropping her sword in the process. With the show now halfway through its planned five seasons, bringing Celeborn into the story moves The Rings of Power closer to the established events and relationships seen in The Lord of the Rings.
Thráin Will Attempt to Usurp the Throne From King Durin IV
I was really intrigued by the end of The Rings of Power‘s second season! It definitely hinted that Durin IV might face a challenge to his rule from his brother, and now we know who’s playing him: Eddie Marsan will be Thráin in the next season. The name Thráin immediately rang a bell for me as a Tolkien fan – there were actually two characters named Thráin in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so it’s exciting to see that connection being explored.
Both Thráin I and Thráin II were kings of the dwarves known as Durin’s Folk during the Third Age. After the downfall of their original kingdom, Khazad-dûm, Thráin I led his people to the Lonely Mountain and founded the new kingdom of Erebor. Thráin II, a descendant of Thráin I, was the father of Thorin Oakenshield, a key character in The Hobbit, and was robbed of his Ring of Power.
As a huge Tolkien fan, I’ve been doing some digging, and it’s become pretty clear that the Thráin we see in The Rings of Power isn’t the same Thráin from the main Lord of the Rings story. The timelines just don’t match up – this Thráin lived thousands of years earlier! He’s actually a descendant of Durin VI, several generations removed from Durin IV. So, while the name is familiar, the actor playing Thráin is portraying an original character who happens to share a name with important figures in Tolkien’s world, rather than a direct ancestor we already know.
Anárion Will Complete Isildur’s Family in The Rings of Power
In the second season of The Rings of Power, Elendil traveled to the western shores of Númenor looking for his son, Anárion. For the next season, Andrew Richardson will play Anárion. While often overshadowed by his brother Isildur, Anárion played a significant role in the history of Middle-earth.
Following the destruction of Númenor, Anárion and Isildur teamed up to establish the kingdom of Gondor. Anárion oversaw the building of Minas Anor – which would eventually become known as Minas Tirith. While Isildur journeyed across Middle-earth to create the Last Alliance of Elves and Men near the end of the Second Age, Anárion remained in Gondor.
Anárion bravely defended against Sauron’s forces for five years, giving his brother time to build a coalition of allies. Sadly, he died in the War of the Last Alliance and didn’t live to see the start of the Third Age. To honor his courage, one of the massive statues, the Argonath, that stand beside the Anduin river was sculpted in his likeness, serving as a lasting memorial.
Marnûkh Will Show a New Side of The Rings of Power’s Orcs
As a huge fantasy fan, I was definitely surprised by season two of The Rings of Power and its attempt to show a different side to the Orcs. It wasn’t what I expected – they actually showed the Orcs wanting peace and caring about their families. Apparently, the show’s going to keep exploring that idea in the next season with a character named Marnûkh, who’s played by Adam Young. It’s an interesting direction, and I’m curious to see how it plays out!
The trailer showed Marnûkh joining forces with Galadriel and Arondir against his old leader, Sauron. He cautioned the Elves about the forging of the all-powerful One Ring. Marnûkh isn’t a character found in Tolkien’s original writings, and his name doesn’t appear there either, although it may come from the Mordor Black Speech word ûk, which means “all.”
Although Tolkien’s stories didn’t feature any truly heroic Orcs, some did express a wish to leave the Dark Lord’s forces. It’s still unclear how much Marnûkh’s story will differ from established lore.
2026-07-25 21:36