The Rings of Power season 2, episode 4 introduces Tom Bombadil, and viewers may recognize the actor who brings this iconic figure from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books to life. The Hobbits have a run-in with Tom Bombadil in The Fellowship of the Ring, but the character doesn’t appear in Peter Jackson’s adaptation of the book. Tolkien also writes about Bombadil in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, which sheds light on this mysterious and powerful figure — though it also leaves plenty up to interpretation. This is precisely why bringing him to the screen can be so risky.

Thankfully, The Rings of Power is doing a decent job of it so far. The Rings of Power season 2, episode 4 introduces Tom Bombadil after the Stranger is separated from Nori and Poppy, and he helps Daniel Weyman’s character out of a pinch. Once he rescues him from a tree threatening to consume him, Tom Bombadil takes the Stranger back to his home. He exhibits the Tolkien character’s eccentric qualities the entire time, and the actor playing him does a convincing job of capturing the character Tolkien describes.

The Rings Of Power’s Tom Bombadil Is Played By Rory Kinnear

Viewers May Recognize Him From Projects Like Penny Dreadful & The Imitation Game

Like many characters in Middle-earth, Tom Bombadil is depicted with a large beard and long hair in The Rings of Power — so viewers may not immediately recognize the actor behind the costume. Rory Kinnear is the person stepping into the role for the Amazon series, and he makes a solid addition to The Rings of Power season 2’s cast. Kinnear’s talent is unsurprising given his previous roles, which have seen him playing a range of characters. Movie buffs may recognize him from The Imitation Game, where he plays Detective Robert Nock, or the James Bond movies, which see him portraying Tanner.

These projects have no doubt prepared him for The Rings of Power, though Tom Bombadil may be Kinnear’s most iconic role to date.

Those are some of the actor’s biggest roles, but Kinnear has also appeared in several popular television series. He had a two-year stint on Penny Dreadful, where he tackled the role of The Creature, and he’s also shown up in Our Flag Means Death, The Diplomat, and Black Mirror. These projects have no doubt prepared him for The Rings of Power, though Tom Bombadil may be Kinnear’s most iconic role to date. After all, the character already had a massive reputation prior to his Rings of Power debut.

Tom Bombadil’s Role In The Rings Of Power Season 2 Explained

His Story Is Connected To The Stranger’s

Tom Bombadil has only appeared in one episode of The Rings of Power so far, so it’s difficult to say exactly what his role in the Amazon series will be. Given that the character made an effort to stay out of Middle-earth’s biggest conflicts in Tolkien’s lore, he shouldn’t play too big of a part when it comes to The Rings of Power‘s main story. However, he may form a bond with the Stranger — and this makes sense if the Stranger actually is Gandalf. According to Tolkien’s writings, the two know one another, so this may be setting up their backstory.

The Stranger may also offer an explanation for why Tom Bombadil is in the Lord of the Rings series. Weyman’s wizard asks Bombadil about magic during “Eldest,” and it’s obvious he’s having trouble controlling his own powers. Tom Bombadil could help Weyman’s character get a grip on his own abilities. As the Stranger isn’t currently aware of what’s going on with Sauron, this wouldn’t even go against the character’s pacifist beliefs. Only time will tell if this is the direction The Rings of Power takes, but it does make a compelling case for Tom Bombadil’s inclusion in the series.