A common theory about The Rings of Power is that the Dark Wizard is Saruman the White, but does this reveal an inevitability? In The Rings of Power season 2’s ending, the Dark Wizard was integral to the storyline in Rhûn. The character explained that he wishes to join forces with The Stranger whose identity was revealed as Gandalf. The Istari dwelling in Rhûn desires to defeat Sauron and take his place, leading to a confrontation between Gandalf and the Dark Wizard.

This sets up a potential story of The Rings of Power season 3 in which Gandalf will have to face the Dark Wizard to stop him from becoming Sauron’s evil replacement. However, another potential plot thread centering around the Dark Wizard is his identity. Now that The Stranger has been confirmed as Gandalf, the theory about the Dark Wizard being another of The Lord of the Rings’ Istari seems inevitable.

Why The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard Is Likely To Be Saruman

Saruman & Gandalf Have A Complicated Connection In The Lord Of The Rings

Firstly, it is worth exploring the reasons as to why the Dark Wizard being revealed as Saruman seems so likely. For one, Ciarán Hinds – the actor who portrays the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power‘s cast – is made to look akin to a younger version of Christopher Lee’s Saruman. The white robes and his long straight hair and beard draw parallels, just as Daniel Weyman’s features do with Gandalf.

The other tease that the Dark Wizard is Saruman comes from what is known of him and Gandalf in Tolkien’s works. The two were allies for thousands of years before Saruman was corrupted by the power of Sauron, causing them to become rivals. This was outlined in The Lord of the Rings, and their story has many similarities to the dynamic depicted between the Dark Wizard and Gandalf in The Rings of Power. As such, this relationship could explore the origins of Gandalf and Saruman’s relationship in the Second Age of Middle-earth via the Dark Wizard.

The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard Could Still Be A Blue Wizard

There Is One Other Possibility Regarding The Dark Wizard’s Identity

Aside from Saruman, the Dark Wizard’s identity could be attributed to some other Tolkien characters. In the author’s stories, there were five Istari sent to Middle-earth by the Valar. Three of these have been highlighted the most: Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast. It is highly unlikely that Radagast, more of a gentle spirit, will play a part in The Rings of Power, leaving the two unknown Istari as potential candidates concerning the Dark Wizard’s identity.

Lord of the Rings Wizards
Maiar/Valar Name
Color

Gandalf
Olórin
The Gray

Saruman
Curumo
The White

Radagast
Aiwendil
The Brown

Unknown
Alatar
The Blue

Unknown
Pallando
The Blue

These wizards have only ever been referred to as Alatar and Pallando, the two Blue Wizards of Middle-earth. In Tolkien’s books, these wizards traveled east and were never heard from again, something that Gandalf himself mentions in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy. Naturally, this leaves open the possibility that the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power is a Blue Wizard, an outcome that admittedly makes more sense than Saruman.

Being A Blue Wizard Would Make More Sense For The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard

There Are Several Reasons The Blue Wizard Is More Logical For The Rings Of Power’s Story

One of the primary reasons as to why The Rings of Power‘s Dark Wizard being a Blue Wizard makes more sense than Saruman is the small information known about the former. As alluded to, it is mentioned in Tolkien’s works that the Blue Wizards traveled into the east of Middle-earth and disappeared. The lands to the east of Middle-earth happen to be Rhûn where the Dark Wizard is located in The Rings of Power season 2 and where Gandalf now remains.

If Gandalf defeats the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power season 3 or beyond, this could serve as an adequate explanation for why one of the Blue Wizards is not heard from after traveling east. Furthermore, Tolkien wrote of rumors that the Blue Wizards fell to darkness and became corrupted by Sauron, also linking to the Dark Wizard. Finally, with The Stranger already being Gandalf, it may be a little too on the nose for the Dark Wizard of The Rings of Power to be confirmed as Saruman, with a Blue Wizard offering much more room for originality.