The Lord of the Rings TV show is coming to Amazon Prime
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Production on the Lord of the Rings TV show could be about to begin again. After filming stopped on the first two episodes mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports have now signalled that the New Zealand film industry could be opening up. During the break, we’ve learnt a fair amount about the Lord of the Rings TV show, including a number of casting announcements and even a potential release date. We’ve scoured the internet like Sauron's eye searching the plains of Mordor to bring you everything we know about the upcoming adventure through Middle Earth.
First, though, a recent and minor update: reports have indicated that J.R.R. Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey has parted ways with the project. Corey Olsen, another Tolkien scholar, made the revelation, saying that the situation was not as simple as Shippey being fired. There's no confirmation from either party as yet on what exactly happened. Below, we break down more of what you need to know about the upcoming Lord of the Rings TV show. To Mordor!
Lord of the Rings TV show's release date
The Lord of the Rings TV show currently has no release date. However, we do know that Amazon – note: the company is rumoured to have already spent $250 million on buying the rights to the series – has started production on the show. There are rumours that the company are trying for a December 2021 release date, which would make sense with some of the confirmed reports we've had.
Reports have indicated that the first two episodes – directed by J.A. Bayona – will initially be filmed, before a 4-5 month hiatus. In this time, the showrunners will see what's working, and then map out the already-commissioned season 2. Deadline reports that season 2 may even film back-to-back with some later episodes from the first season, hence the need for a break and to have a solid two-season plan.
The Lord of the Rings writers and directors
Writers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will act as co-showrunners on the new series. Speaking of their appointment, they said in a joint statement: “We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care. It is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime.”
Joining them as a consultant is Bryan Cogman, who is best known for rising from as assistant on Game of Thrones to writing some of the HBO fantasy series' best episodes. Also announced to be writing episodes for the Lord of the Rings TV show are Gennifer Hutchinson (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), Helen Shang (Hannibal), Justin Dohle (Stranger Things), and Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4).
Meanwhile, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom director J.A. Bayona will helm the first two episodes of the first season (Amazon have signed on to produce five seasons) and will act as an executive producer. There's also some other extremely exciting behind-the-camera, including costume designer Kate Hawley (Edge of Tomorrow, Suicide Squad), production designer Rick Heinrichs (Sleepy Hollow, Star Wars: The Last Jedi), visual effects supervisor Jason Smith (Super 8, Avengers), and Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey. Concept artist John Howe, who worked on Jackson's trilogy, will also have the same position on the show.
“This team is our Fellowship, assembled from around the world, all walking the road together to try and accomplish something far greater than any of us could on our own,” McKay and Payne said in a statement. And what an incredible fellowship, indeed.
Lord of the Rings TV Show cast
After a multitude of reports concerning casting, including Will Poulter joining and then leaving the show, Amazon has finally confirmed the first 15 names joining the cast. They are Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman.
One of the biggest announcements from the group is Game of Thrones alumni Joseph Mawle, a veteran television and film actor best known for playing Benjen Stark, has joined the cast. The Hollywood Reporter claims that the actor will likely play the villain Oren, though no character in the source material appears to be called this.
Then there's Robert Aramayo, who – like Mawle – previously played a Stark in Game of Thrones, having appeared as a young Ned Stark. He replaced Poulter as the leading male star in the show.
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Variety previously reported that His Dark Materials actress Morfydd Clark has signed on to play a young Galadriel. The character – one of the three elves given a ring of power – was portrayed by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson's movies. The announcement works with the Lord of the Rings TV series' Second Age setting, as Galadriel is over 7000 years old by the time the events of the movies take place.
Variety also first reported that Markella Kavenagh, an Australian actress best known for starring in the Romper Stomper TV show, joined the cast as the show's female lead. Details regarding her character are being kept very under wraps, though she has a name: Tyra. Ema Horvath – who appeared in the Blumhouse horror Like.Share.Follow – has also been cast in a main role.
There have also been reports that Maxim Baldry, of Years & Years fame, has been cast in a lead role. Deadline adds that Amazon co-head of television Vernon Sanders previously noted, “We still have a few key roles to cast,” and that Baldry is one of those "key roles".
In other casting news, Sir Ian McKellen – who played Gandalf in the three Lord of the Rings movies and The Hobbit trilogy – has said that no other actor could play the wise wizard. “What do you mean, another Gandalf?” McKellen told Graham Norton when asked whether someone could take over the role. “I haven’t said yes because I haven’t been asked. But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it? Gandalf is over 7,000 years old, so I’m not too old.”
The Lord of Rings TV show won't involve Peter Jackson
Sadly, Peter Jackson, who directed the film trilogy, has confirmed he is not involved with Amazon's TV adaptation. He said at a New York Comic Con panel last year that he's "kind of looking forward to it" as a viewer instead. "I was a guy who didn't get to see the Lord of the Rings like everybody else because I had to make it", Jackson explained, "so I'm looking forward to seeing somebody else's take on the Tolkien world."
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