Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power finally returns for a second season after a two-year hiatus, with its first new episode premiering on August 29. The series, though controversial among fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic books, promises to be even bigger and better in its upcoming season as it builds toward the forging of the One Ring.

The Rings of Power includes plenty of compelling characters and, while some of them appear in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, others are new to many casual fans. Whether completely original characters or simply individuals who exist in Tolkien lore prior to the main storyline, some of Rings of Power‘s best characters don’t appear in the original trilogy.

Gil-galad Is A Headstrong King On The Verge Of Dooming Middle-earth

The Rings of Power Season 1 introduces the High King of the Elves, Gil-galad of Lindon. The powerful Elven ruler stands at a turning point in the history of his people in Middle-earth. Knowing that the rising darkness in the land will inevitably end in the Elves leaving Middle-earth, Gil-galad tries to obtain mithril to prolong their departure.

Gil-galad only appears in a few episodes and, although he is a regal and dignified ruler, audiences might have some issues with his character’s depiction in The Rings of Power. The Elf king isn’t portrayed in the best light in the first season of the series, asking Elrond to betray his friend’s trust to obtain Mithril. The series will have to bolster Gil-galad’s character in upcoming seasons, turning him into the heroic figure who will fight against the forces of Sauron at the end of the Second Age.

Celebrimbor Is The Man Behind The First Rings Of Power

Celebrimbor is an important Lord of the Rings character who finally makes his live-action debut in The Rings of Power‘s first season. A noted metalsmith of the Elven realm, Celebrimbor is the one who eventually cracks the code to forging mithril, resulting in the crafting of the first three rings of power, two of which he gives to Elrond and Galadriel.

Celebrimbor is an interesting character, but the first season of Rings of Power doesn’t quite do him justice. The character appeared to be less knowledgeable about metalsmithing than Halbrand, who was really the brain behind crafting with Mithril. Nevertheless, the series could explore some interesting storylines following Celebrimbor’s reaction to learning that he aided Sauron in his evil plot.

Poppy Proudfellow Is A True And Loyal Friend

Poppy Proudfellow is a member of a Harfoot clan migrating across the plains of Middle-earth in search of a new home. However, thanks to her far more curious best friend Nori, Poppy ends up embroiled in a terrifying adventure involving the dark forces of Sauron and a strange man who fell from the sky.

Although she isn’t one of the big movers and shakers of Middle-earth, Poppy is a character that speaks to the heart of Tolkien’s stories. Much like Samwise Gamgee, Poppy is a terrific friend caught up in an adventure far bigger than she could have ever imagined, but who rises to the occasion to help someone close to her.

Fans Have A Lot Of Theories About Theo

Theo is a young man who lives in the Southlands, a region of Middle-earth that has been downtrodden and depressed since their ancestors sided with Morgoth in the wars of the First Age. Fed up with the quality of life that he and his neighbors are forced to endure, Theo finally sees a way out when he discovers an ancient and powerful sword enchanted with dark power.

Theo’s storyline in Rings of Power‘s first season had fans buzzing about how he might factor into the history of Middle-earth. Given his proclivity to use evil artifacts and his love for the Southlands, some fans have wondered whether he might end up becoming one of the nine kings of Men who succumb to Sauron’s power.

Bronwyn Had A Lot Of Potential As A Character

Bronwyn is the mother of Theo and a woman living in the Southlands who falls in love with the Elf Arondir. When her homeland comes under attack by Adar and his band of Orcs, she rallies the people to stand up against their oppressors.

A passionate protector of her land and her people, Bronwyn had a lot of potential after the first season of Rings of Power. Unfortunately, Bronwyn will not return for Season 2, with actress Nazanin Boniadi taking a step away from the show’s production. While the door is open for her character to return in future seasons, it seems that most of Bronwyn’s potential has been temporarily stunted.

Disa Is A Strong And Proud Resident Of Khazad-dûm

Disa is the wife of Durin IV and the princess of the Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dûm. In the first season of Rings of Power, she is involved in Elrond and Durin’s struggle to get the king to provide aid to the Elves. However, she and her husband are unaware that a deeper threat lurks in the chasms of their kingdom, ready to destroy them all.

Though her scenes in the show are limited thus far, Disa is a definite highlight in Rings of Power. Headstrong and unafraid to call Durin out when he is wrong, Disa’s scenes are always entertaining to watch. However, audiences are left to worry about her fate after a Balrog is revealed to be living beneath the kingdom of Khazad-dûm.

Nori Brandyfoot Is Adventurous And Engaging

Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot is a member of the Harfoot clan traveling across Middle-earth on their endless search for the next place to call home. However, she wants something more for herself than endless wandering. When she makes friends with a mysterious man from the sky, Nori becomes entangled in the battle for Middle-earth’s very soul.

Nori is enigmatic and curious, making her an entertaining character throughout Rings of Power‘s first season. However, it is her kindness and care even for strangers that makes her so compelling. Now, she embarks on an adventure with someone who might very well be Gandalf the Grey, as so many Hobbits after her will in ages to come.

Durin Is A Complex And Emotional Character

Durin IV is the prince of Khazad-dûm and an old friend of Elrond. After his people discover a rare metal called mithril, Durin tries to convince his father that they need to deliver some of it to the Elves to keep them from leaving Middle-earth. Nonetheless, he discovers that his father, Durin III, is unwilling to lend the Elves his aid.

Durin has all the boisterous and chaotic energy that audiences have come to love about the Dwarves in the Lord of the Rings franchise. His steadfast love for his friend also makes him a respectable and lovable character, especially when he is willing to defy his father’s orders to help him.

Arondir Is Completely Original Character With Promise

Arondir is an Elf originally assigned to guard the Southlands after they sided with Morgoth in the First Age. There, he falls in love with a woman named Bronwyn, only to find himself entangled in a secret plot by the Orcs to take over the Southlands as their new homeland.

A completely original character with no ties to any of Tolkien’s work, Arondir may be Rings of Power‘s most important character. With no lore to worry about upkeeping and endless potential, Arondir is free to undergo whatever storyline the showrunners wish, which should excite viewers who eagerly anticipate seeing more from the character in future seasons.

Adar Is More Than A Conniving Villain

Adar is a Uruk, one of the forerunners of the Orcs. After Morgoth and Sauron were defeated in the First Age, Adar betrayed his dark overlords and turned the Orcs against them. Now, he fights to obtain the Southlands as a new home for his soldiers, eventually igniting an eruption that transforms the realm into the fiery land of Mordor.

In Season 2, Adar is recast with Sam Hazeldine, but the character remains one of the most interesting individuals in the series. He is far more than a cackling villain, but truly cares for the Orcs under his employ. It’s interesting to see a more nuanced villain in the world of Middle-earth, presenting audiences with something new and different in the long-running franchise. Thanks to his complex personality, Adar may be the best character in Rings of Power.