With Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 recently wrapping up, fans are already eagerly awaiting Season 3. Charlie Vickers, who plays the Dark Lord Sauron, is fanning the flames of anticipation with a glimpse into what Sauron’s endgame might be in the series.

Throughout Seasons 1 and 2 of The Rings of Power — based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s appendices for The Lord of the Rings trilogy — Sauron’s grip on Middle Earth has steadily tightened. In the second season, Sauron deceived the great elven smith Celebrimbor into forging the nine Rings of Men. The Dark Lord also has a shadowy hand in the seven Dwarf rings, as evidenced in the plot line of Durin III and his father, the latter unleashing a fan-favorite Tolkien monster, the Balrog, while under the spell of his ring. Speaking with Screen Rant, Charlie Vickers noted that Sauron’s wins will strengthen his deceptive resolve in The Rings of Power Season 3.

“I think he’ll be more emboldened. I think in the sense that he’s getting close, if you look at his power on a chart, he’s getting closer and closer to being at his peak power. I think we could get a form, or a version, of Sauron where he is Sauron the Terrible, like he is at his most mighty externally, at least.”

Morfydd Clark, who elvish commander Galadriel, added that Sauron “hates boundaries, so he’ll continue to push them.”

The Perilous Future of Middle Earth in ‘The Rings of Power’

Charlie Vickers also commented on events that might happen “further down the line.” Notably, he revealed that Sauron will continue his deceitful ways in his bid to bring all of Middle Earth under his sway. In The Rings of Power, Middle Earth includes the island realm of men, Númenor. Vickers stated that Sauron melds his dark mind with that of Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle), who usurped the Númenorian throne from Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) in the second season.

“…there’s a whole bunch of psychological stuff there,” Vickers told Screen Rant, “interplay between [Sauron] and Pharazôn. But I think that’s a bit further down the line, in terms of our show. I think he is on a vendetta against the elves.”

Sauron is certainly winning his vendetta against the Elves at the end of Rings of Power Season 3. His deception of Celebrimbor led to the destruction of Eregion at the hands of non-canon character Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his orc army.

But there is hope for Middle Earth heading into The Rings of Power Season 3. While Elrond loses Galadriel’s ring, Nenya, to Adar, a deal is struck between her and Adar, and he returns the ring. Although Galadriel nearly dies while fighting Sauron, Lord Elrond (Robert Aramayo) heals her with Nenya. The elven leadership — Galadriel, Elrond, and High King Gil-galad — gather the survivors of Eregion in a new home for the elves in what will become the elvish stronghold of Rivendell.

For those who have read Tolkien’s writings, the ultimate fate of Númenor is known. However, The Rings of Power has taken some artistic liberties with the first two seasons. For better or worse, that will likely keep fans on their toes in Season 3 and beyond.