Lord of the Rings TV Series: Amazon Prime is coming up with an epic fantasy series set in The Second Age, thousands of years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.”
The Lord of the Rings is a pop-culture phenomenon whose fandom does not (at least in the near future) seem to cease. The bestselling novels of JRR Tolkien have been adapted multiple times for various mediums (radio, film, stage) in different formats (live-action and animation). Despite the numerous adaptations, Peter Jackson’s 2001 trilogy is the only one that is remembered to date.
In 2017, Amazon Prime bagged the TV and digits rights for a whopping $250 million. The streaming giant is coming up with a web series that is touted to be the biggest and grandest of all time. Reuters reports that the streaming service’s forthcoming “Lord of the Rings” series could cost as much as $500 million. Ever since the announcement, the expectations have skyrocketed and the viewers are eagerly waiting for the series premiere. From its plot to release date to production status, here’ is everything we know about The Lord Of The Rings TV series.
Lord of the Rings Plot
In March 2018, it was reported that the show would be a prequel of sorts, taking place in the Second Age of Middle Earth. For the uninitiated, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy occur towards the end of the Third Age. Hence, the show will have a totally different setting and we can expect the back story of Sauron (The titular Lord) and Aragorn’s ancestors. It will be quite interesting to see how the story pans out because the Second Age nearly consists of 3,341 years. The makers have plenty of material to play with.
Lord of the Rings Cast
Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani.
Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne are the showrunners and executive producers. The epic fantasy drama series stars big names like Robert Aramayo, Nazanin Boniadi, Charles Edwards, and Morfydd Clark. Here is a look at full star cast:
- Robert Aramayo
- Cynthia Addai-Robinson
- Owain Arthur
- Maxim Baldry
- Nazanin Boniadi
- Morfydd Clark
- Ismael Cruz Córdova
- Charles Edwards
- Trystan Gravelle
- Sir Lenny Henry
- Ema Horvath
- Markella Kavenagh
- Joseph Mawle
- Tyroe Muhafidin
- Sophia Nomvete
- Lloyd Owen
- Megan Richards
- Dylan Smith
- Charlie Vickers
- Leon Wadham
- Benjamin Walker
- Daniel Weyman
- Sara Zwangobani
What’s the production status?
J.D Payne and Patrick McKay were hired by Amazon Studios to develop the series and Peter Jackson (Director of 2001 film adaptation) was roped in to play an instrumental role in the production. It is believed that Peter was bough on board after the honing of the script and provide valuable inputs regarding the execution of the show. Bryan Cogman (Game of Thrones) came aboard as a consultant in April 2019. Massive set-pieces were placed in Auckland and the shooting began in Feb 2020. J.A. Bayona was selected for directing the first two episodes.
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Amazon announced that Payne and McKay would serve as showrunners and executive producers for the series, and revealed the full creative team that was working on the project.
Executive producers: Bayona, Atienza, Bruce Richmond, Gene Kelly, Lindsey Weber, and Sharon Tal Yguado.
Co-producer: Ron Ames
Costume designer: Kate Hawley
Production designer: Rick Heinrichs
Visual Effects Supervisor: Jason Smith
However, the filming for the series was placed on hold in mid-March 2020 due to the pandemic with around 800 cast and crew members told to stay home. At that time, filming was nearly completed on the first two episodes of the series, according to Deadline. Filming for the first season resumed in Sep 2020 and wrapped up on Aug 2, 2021.
‘Lord of the Rings’ Series Release Date
Ever since the announcement, netizens are waiting for an update on the release of the series. Well, here is good news. Amazon has revealed the release date for the first season of the series. The epic fantasy series will debut on Prime Video on Sept 2, 2022. A new episode will land every week. Here’s the first look:
On September 2, 2022, a new journey begins. pic.twitter.com/9tnR7WqDoA
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) August 2, 2021
“The journey begins September 2, 2022, with the premiere of our original ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series on Prime Video,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios.
“I can’t express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth! Our talented producers, cast, creative, and production teams have worked tirelessly in New Zealand to bring this untold and awe-inspiring vision to life.”
More details about the series
Amazon’s deal for the rights to ‘Lord of the Rings’ series includes quite strict rules regarding the show’s faithfulness to the source material. So, don’t expect anything to be altered which is not according to The Tolkien Estate. Third Age of Middle-earth, in which The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set, is not part of the series.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom director J.A. Bayona would helm the first two episodes of the show. Bayona will direct the scripts penned by the teams of JD Payne and Patrick McKay which reportedly include Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad) and Bryan Cogman (Game of Thrones).
In February 2019, the official Twitter handle shared an interactive map of Middle-earth depicting the lands that will be featured in the series.
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, pic.twitter.com/unJj1Bpde1
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) February 15, 2019
In March 2019, a second map was released, showcasing a few more details about the landscape at the time of the series.
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne. In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. pic.twitter.com/hRmGQbOhLj
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) March 6, 2019
The next day, another interactive map was released. These tweets confirmed the series setting in The Second Age of Middle-earth.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them, In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. #LOTRonPrime pic.twitter.com/7TuQh7gRPD
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) March 7, 2019
What is the budget of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ Series?
Amazon Prime acquired the television and digits rights for a whopping $250 million dollars in 2017. Several months after the acquisition, The Hollywood Reporter shared the details of the deal, indicating that the series has a five-season commitment. When expenses like casting, producers, and visual effects are included, the series is expected to cost worth $1 billion. This is huge and one of the largest budgets any series has allotted from the start. This doesn’t include the spinoff series which is also expected to come out.
Overall, it looks like Amazon is set to deliver the biggest show of all time. We are waiting with bated breath as the first season premieres in Sep 2022.
Are you excited about ‘Lord of the Rings’ series? Share your views with us in the comments section.
