Summary

• The reveal of Halbrand as Sauron in disguise in The Rings of Power season 1 suggests that the series may have replaced Sauron's fair form, Annatar, with this new character.
• Halbrand's interest in Númenór indicates a potential story from Tolkien canon that could unfold in Rings of Power season 2.
• The possibility of Sauron appearing in his Annatar form in future seasons is not ruled out, as his interactions in Númenór point towards the potential for shape-shifting and manipulation.

The Halbrand reveal in The Rings of Power season 1 seems to rule out a future appearance from Annatar, but a conon Lord of the Rings detail could indicate otherwise. Since there was never a character called Halbrand in Tolkien's works, it was a significant surprise that he was revealed to be Sauron in disguise. Fans were waiting to see Annatar, Sauron's fair form, but the fact that the Prime Video series seems to have switched him out for the "Southlands king" has led many to think that Rings of Power plans to leave this character out. However, the canon stories of Númenór mean there's still hope.

Throughout The Rings of Power season 1, Galadriel and Halbrand developed a rather close relationship. They saved one another, fought by each other's sides, and had their fair share of disagreements. Among their more significant adventures was the journey to Númenór, as well as the return to Eregion, where Halbrand was revealed to be Sauron. Since it had been Annatar who tricked the Eregion Elves into forging the Rings of Power, it's assumed that Halbrand is supposed to be Prime Vidoe's version of the Dark Lord's fair form. However, Halbrand's interest in Númenór hints at another story in Tolkien canon, which could come into play in Rings of Power season 2.

Sauron Used a Mysterious Form To Deceive The Númenóreans In Tolkien Canon

Most of what is said of Númenór is in The Silmarillion, as well as the appendices of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of King. In these works, the destruction of the island kingdom (which was foreshadowed in Rings of Power season 1) is described, and it heavily involves Sauron. During the Second Age, the Dark Lord was held prisoner in Númenór but managed to weasel his way into the mind of Ar-Pharazôn. He convinces the usurper to set sail for Valinor, the realm where Galadriel was born, and wage war. Of course, this didn't work out well, and Númenór was destroyed as a result.

It's never entirely clear what form Sauron took while in Númenór. Since he poisoned the High Men against Elves, it's assumed that he wasn't in the form of Annatar but rather a human form instead. This would have allowed him to blend in with the beings of Númenór and creep his way into Pharazôn's inner circle. The name and appearance of this form have always been something of a mystery, so Prime Video's Rings of Power may have created Halbrand as a way to fill this gap in canon.

Halbrand Could Be Prime Video's Version Of Númenór's Deceiver (Not Annatar)

Though Halbrand was assumed to be Prime Video's version of Annatar, he may instead be the unnamed Númenór deceiver.

Though Halbrand was assumed to be Prime Video's version of Annatar, he may instead be the unnamed Númenór deceiver. This is something that has been set up by The Rings of Power season 1 since Halbrand was rather impressed by Númenór during his visit with Galadriel. Though he manipulated Galadriel into bringing the island's forces to the Southlands, he may have been sincere when he expressed his desire to stay in Númenór. Therefore, future seasons may see him return to begin his influence over the Men who live there.

Additionally, we know that Sauron will hand out nine Rings of Power to Men of Middle-earth, and at least a few of them—namely the Witch-king of Angmar—will be from Númenór. The exact identity of these individuals is another mystery of Tolkien lore, so Rings of Power is sure to provide its own version of this character's identity. For this to happen, the Lord of the Rings villain will need to again interact with humans, and there is no better way to do this than with his human form. So, not only does the Halbrand reveal not rule out a future appearance for Annatar in The Rings of Power, but it paves the way for Númenór's role in the Second Age.

Could Sauron's Annatar Form Make An Appearance In Rings Of Power Season 2?

Annatar is described as being Sauron's seductive Elven form in Tolkien's works, which makes him a character that audiences are eager to see. However, as a shape-shifting Maia, there is no reason that the Dark Lord can't take another form at some point in The Rings of Power—Halbrand's interactions at Númenór seem to make this even more likely. If this human form is Sauron's attempt to gain the trust of the Men of Middle-earth, then he is sure to pull out an Elf form to do the same for those in Eregion.

Sauron loses the ability to shape-shift into beautiful forms after Númenór's downfall in Tolkien canon.

This is further ed by the fact that Halbrand didn't fool Celebrimbor into making his Rings of Power as Annatar did in canon. Instead, he planted the idea that led to the three Elven Rings, which, in Tolkien's lore, were made without Sauron's knowledge. So, everything Annatar achieved is still open to happen in The Rings of Power season 2. Since Galadriel already knows about Halbrand, it seems likely that Sauron will return to Eregion as Annatar, trick Celelbrimbor into making his rings, and then use the Halbrand form to gain influence in Númenór. Of course, only future seasons of the Prime Video series will tell for sure.