Adar has been recast in The Rings of Power season 2, and the actor change might leave viewers wondering why Joseph Mawle is no longer portraying the character. Adar is a character original to The Rings of Power, and he plays a fairly mysterious role throughout season 1. It’s later revealed that he’s one of the Elves who was tortured by Morgoth. And The Rings of Power season 2 shows how he tried to kill Sauron, preventing him from reigning over the Orcs. This is why the Orcs call him “father,” and it’s why they help him conquer the Southlands.

Mawle plays Adar impressively in The Rings of Power season 1, conveying the villain’s bitterness over his past and compassion for the Orcs with ease. The actor’s performance makes Adar a compelling character, even though he’s an antagonist. After Mawle’s stint as Benjen Stark in Game of Thrones, it’s no surprise the actor fit right into a major fantasy series. Sam Hazeldine has big shoes to fill in The Rings of Power season 2, but the actor’s performance in the first three episodes offer confidence that he’ll be a great replacement.

Joseph Mawle Quit As Adar To Explore Other Opportunities & Roles

The Actor Has Starred In Two TV Shows Since Leaving The Rings Of Power

Mawle’s departure from The Rings of Power was announced in December 2022, not long after the first season of the Prime Video series concluded. The actor took to Twitter to explain his reasons for not returning for The Rings of Power season 2, and they have to do with his career aspirations. Mawle wished The Rings of Power cast and crew well, and he expressed gratitude for his time playing Adar. However, the actor admitted his desire to explore other opportunities, writing, “Though as an actor it remains my wish, my job description to explore new characters and worlds.”

Since bidding farewell to The Rings of Power, Mawle has already appeared in two other TV shows: 1923 and Mary & George. Neither has gotten the amount of attention The Rings of Power did, but 1923 has a lot of potential, as it’s a spinoff of the hit Western Yellowstone. According to IMDb, Mawle also has a movie in post-production: The Way of the Wind. The upcoming Biblical drama will see him taking on the role of Saul. The actor was supposed to star in the TV series King & Conqueror, but he’s since been replaced by Ingvar Sigurdsson (via Variety).

Who Plays Adar In The Rings Of Power Season 2 (& Where You Know Them From)

Sam Hazeldine Is Taking Over The Role

With Mawle leaving The Rings of Power behind, the Prime Video series was tasked with recasting Adar for season 2. Sam Hazeldine brings Adar to life in the Amazon show’s sophomore season, and the actor succeeds at making a seamless transition. Given Adar’s limited amount of screen time in The Rings of Power season 1 — and the two-year break between seasons — the recast doesn’t feel all that noticeable. It helps that Adar isn’t a main character, but that’s not the only reason the change works. Hazeldine also has extensive acting experience that’s prepared him for this challenge.

Like Mawle, Hazeldine also has a history of appearing in major fantasy series. The new Adar actor plays Barnaby in Netflix’s The Sandman, as well as Eredin in The Witcher. Both roles are relatively small within the context of these series. However, they prove the actor is capable of immersing himself in a major fantasy franchise. Viewers will also recognize Hazeldine from shows like Masters of the Air, Rain Dogs, Slow Horses, and Peaky Blinders. The actor has a number of movies under his belt as well, including Ridley Scott’s 2021 fantasy release, The Last Duel.

Adar’s Role Will Be Different In The Rings Of Power Season 2

Sauron’s Return Will Make Adar An Ally

Although Hazeldine’s experience is reassuring, the actor has another advantage in The Rings of Power season 2. Adar is the primary villain of The Rings of Power season 1, Sauron mostly lurking in the background. This changes in The Rings of Power season 2, as Halbrand emerges as Sauron at the end of The Rings of Power season 1. With Sauron becoming the main threat to Middle-earth, Adar’s role as a villain will be reduced. This may not impact the actor’s screen time, but it will change the type of character he has to portray.

This will give Hazeldine the opportunity to explore a new side of the character — one that’s a bit more cooperative than Mawle’s iteration.

In fact, The Rings of Power season 2 trailers suggest that Adar could become a reluctant ally to the Elves — or at the very least to Galadriel. Footage from season 2 sees them standing before an army, with Adar’s voice-over suggesting that they share a common enemy. As both have good reason to want Sauron gone, Galadriel will likely team up with Adar before season 2 is through. This will give Hazeldine the opportunity to explore a new side of the character — one that’s a bit more cooperative than Mawle’s iteration.

Even in a villainous role, Hazeldine’s Adar is no longer scheming and raiding the Southlands. He and the Orcs seem much better off than they were in season 1, and this allows Hazeldine to take a different approach to Adar as well. Only time will tell just how well the actor does in the role, but his debut in The Rings of Power season 2 is promising.

How Sam Hazeldine’s Adar Compares To Joseph Mawle’s

Hazeldine Makes An Impressive Entrance In Season 2

Hazeldine makes his entrance as Adar in the first episode of The Rings of Power season 2, and he does an impressive job of taking over the role. It helps that Sauron also has a new actor in Hazeldine’s very first scene as Adar, taking the attention off of the recasting. However, even without this distraction, Hazeldine does a solid job of capturing Adar’s nuances. The Elf’s hatred of Sauron is written all over his face in the first episode, as is his love for the Orcs. Hazeldine highlights his fear of the villain’s return in later episodes impressively as well.

Hazeldine’s appearance as Adar is slightly different, but otherwise, he portrays the character in much the same manner as Mawle. Both are great in the role, and it’s fortunate that Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series found two actors who can convincingly bring Adar to life. Hazeldine will likely leave a bigger legacy, as he’ll have more time to evolve as the character — assuming Adar doesn’t perish in season 2. It’ll be exciting to see where The Rings of Power season 2 takes his character and how it furthers his feud with Sauron.