The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is coming back for season 3. The Prime Video series made the announcement on Thursday (February 13). In a press release they shared that the series was in pre-production and will begin filming this spring in their new home: Shepperton Studios in the UK.
Season 3 of the series will also see some familiar faces returning when it comes to directing. Charlotte Brändström and Sanaa Hamri will be returning. Brändström served as co-executive producer and directed multiple episodes in season 1 and 2. She’ll be returning as executive producer. And Hamri directed some episodes of season 2. Previously she was EP/Director of Season 2 of Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time.
MORE: Need a reminder of how season 2 ended? Read our review of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8!
The new director joining the crew is Stefan Schwartz. British/Canadian film and television director, writer, and producer. He has directed episodes of The Boys and My Lady Jane for Amazon MGM Studios. He’s also directed episodes of The Americans, and The Walking Dead.
Even though the renewal of The Rings of Power wasn’t much of a surprise, the time jump is. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the logline for season 3 is: “Jumping forward several years from the events of season 2, season 3 takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer all Middle-earth at last.”
A time jump does allow the elves to regroup after the destruction of Eregion in the season 2 finale. It also allows Galadriel to heal after her fight with Sauron. Besides that, the elves, dwarves, and humans are going to need time to prepare. Because Sauron is always 10 steps ahead. And if they’re going to have an army like they did in the epic battle of the prologue for The Lord of the Rings movies, time is essential at the moment.
MORE: Planning on doing a rewatch of season 2? Read our review of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 episode 1!
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and we’re thrilled that a third season is underway. The creative team has an extraordinary vision of what’s to come with stories that have left us enchanted and enthralled,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios. “We look forward to continuing this epic journey, for our global customers, delving even deeper into the legendary tales that shaped Middle-earth.”