By Nikita Francois
Friday’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power panel at San Diego Comic-Con revealed new details about Season 3, which debuts on Amazon Prime in November.
Panelists included Charlie Vickers (Sauron); Ismael Cruz Córdova (“Arondir”); Owain Arthur (Durin); Daniel Weyman (Gandalf); Cynthia Addai-Robinson (“Queen Regent Miriel”); Jamie Campbell Bower (Celebor); and showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. Benjamin Walker (“High King Gil-galad”) served as the panel’s moderator.
The cast and crew established that The Rings of Power Season 3 takes place five years after the events of Season 2. According to the showrunners, this season they had the privilege of filming in the actual valley in Switzerland where J.R.R. Tolkien found his inspiration when crafting his work.
Córdova explained how Rivendell has developed since audiences last saw it, and now there are Elven leaders “who are seeking new political strategies,” while his own character is still grieving the death of his long lost love. He went on to explain how his group has spent the last five years fighting at this point and are near exhaustion.
Numenor is in an intense phase in The Rings of Power Season 3, with the Queen Regent Miriel currently in exile. In terms of the dwarves, Durin now has the seven rings, but has hidden them as other dwarves are beginning to arrive seeking them.
Jamie Campbell Bower joins the series in Season 3 as Galadriel’s new love interest, Celebor. When asked how he felt when cast, he said it was “incredibly moving.” He goes on to explain how he’s been a fan of The Lord of the Rings since he was 12 and “burst into tears and FaceTimed my brother ugly crying” when he got the part.
Córdova chimed in, saying “it’s one of the best things that has happened to us, I think, having Jamie join this cast. It’s…one of the most special people folded right in. The biggest heart, greatest actor, and we’re just incredibly grateful to have him.”
Weyman quickly added, “It’s almost like we’re…a fellowship.”
The panel then proceeded with a screening of the official Season 3 trailer and a quick appearance by the Nazgûl, before showcasing a behind-the-scenes video of how this upcoming season was crafted in terms of character arcs, story development, and the casting of Simon Pegg as Balrog.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3 will premiere on November 11 on Amazon Prime.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ’26.
