Summary
- New images of Hobbit ancestors in Middle-earth, the Stoors, give clues about season 2 of The Rings of Power.
- The Stoors, a group living in desert areas of Rhûn, are explored with insight from the actors playing key roles.
- The Stoors' settled culture and focus on survival add depth to Tolkien's world, with hints at connections to familiar characters.
New images from The Rings of Power season 1 ended with another Hobbit ancestor, the Harfoot Nori, leaving her people to go with the Stranger to Rhûn, in order to find out more about his origins. While the area doesn't show up much in Tolkien's original works, it allows for unexpected surprises as it grows more fleshed-out in the series.
Now, Entertainment Weekly has released new images of the Stoors, a group of Hobbit ancestors living in the desert areas of Rhûn. Check out the first looks at the new characters below:
In addition, Tanya Moodie, who plays Stoor leader Gundabel, and Gavi Singh Chera, who plays another Stoor, Merimac, explained the new group's role in the story, as well as what makes them different from Tolkien's original writings on Middle-earth. Check out what Moodie and Chera had to say below:
Moodie: The stoors’ ancestry at some point was nomadic. But over the years, we as a group have settled and that has become our culture, to look after one another.
Chera: There's this beautiful carving made by Kristian [Milsted], our wonderful production designer, that’s like a mural of the history of the stoors’ and harfoots’ origins. I loved looking at that while we were on set. It made me feel at home with family. It always helped me get into character as Merimac.
Moodie: My character's intentions are always focused on what will protect us, what will keep us alive, and hopefully thrive. While I was doing it, I was wondering whether or not I'm related to Sméagol. But I couldn't justify any sort of narrative like, ‘Oh, I’m his great-great-grandmother.' That felt like a bit of a reach.
Chera: In the books, the stoors are known for loving water. I think it's so interesting that their origins are a really arid and dry environment, a place where water is sacred. So if you then travel and you come across a river, and this is your history, it must seem like the ultimate oasis.
What To Expect From The Stoors In The Rings Of Power Season 2
The Stoors living in Rhûn marks a different origin story for them than in Tolkien's work, which describes their origins as being from swamplands near the river Anduin. Eventually, the Stoors alongside the Harfoots and Fallohides founded the Shire, which became the home of the Hobbits during the Third Age.The Rings of Power season 2, however, appears to be playing with their origins, making it so they were in the lands beyond Middle-earth prior to their arrival in the lands they're known for having lived in.
This key change in their origins means there will be plenty of unpredictable developments happening for them as they're introduced. Given Chera's acknowledgment regarding their original origins, it's possible Nori and the Stranger's adventure into Rhûn is what sparks their inevitable journey toward Middle-earth. However, since they're a stationary people, something will have to happen that prompts them to leave their original homeland behind. Perhaps Gundabel will play a role in this, her part in The Rings of Power's cast potentially being to learn more about finding a more suitable home for her people.
Where Is Rhun? Lord Of The Rings' Eastern Lands Explained
The Rings of Power sent The Stranger and Nori off to the lands of Rhûn for the show's second season. Here's what it means for their stories.
Since the Stranger is trying to find out more about his origins, it's possible the Stoors' historical records can point him in the right direction. If that's the case, then the new characters won't just be important for The Rings of Power to explore Middle-earth lore. They might also hold important clues about who the mysterious man from the sky is, and why he's lost his memories. With new answers likely coming soon, it won't be much longer until the Hobbit ancestors have their history further fleshed out.
The first three episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 arrive on Prime Video on August 29, 2024.
Source: EW
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Release Date
- September 1, 2022
- Network
- Amazon Prime Video
- Showrunner
- John D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Louise Hooper, Charlotte Brändström, Wayne Yip
Cast
Galadriel
Halbrand
WHERE TO WATCH
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
- Directors
- J.A. Bayona, Sanaa Hamri
- Writers
- Patrick McKay, John D. Payne, J.R.R. Tolkien, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Stephany Folsom, Nicholas Adams
- Franchise(s)
- The Lord of the Rings
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video
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