Galadriel is still reeling from the reveal of Sauron and will forge difficult alliances in The Rings of Power season 1 ending saw Galadriel learn that Halbrand, the human who was aiding her in her quest, was actually Sauron in disguise, manipulating events in order to lead to the creation of the titular rings.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 picks up shortly after season 1, with Galadriel demanding that Celebrimbor not engage further with Halbrand and brings the three Rings of Power to Lindon in the hopes of using them to restore their tree of life. But as Sauron continues his scheming to take over the world for the Uruk and instill evil, Galadriel must set off in the hopes of stopping the Dark Lord. This, in turn, leads to her forming tense alliances with some figures, including Adar, a corrupted Elf looking to free both the Orcs and the world from their enemies and Sauron.

The Rings Of Power Recap: 10 Things To Before Season 2
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Morfydd Clark returns to the ensemble Rings of Power season 2 cast as Galadriel alongside Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Charles Edwards, Charlie Vickers, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Markella Kavenagh, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Benjamin Walker and Daniel Weyman. Season 2 also sees Sam Hazeldine taking over the role of Adar from Joseph Mawle and introducing the likes of Ciarán Hinds as a Dark Wizard and Rory Kinnear as Tom Bobadil.
In anticipation of the show's return, Screen Rant interviewed Morfydd Clark and Sam Hazeldine to discuss The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, the "lasting damage" Sauron has on Galadriel heading into season 2, and how Adar's recasting actually fits the narrative for the next chapter of the prequel show.
Galadriel Really Has "To Fight" To Maintain Hope & Bravery In The Rings Of Power Season 2
Screen Rant: So, in The Rings of Power season 2, we see Galadriel not only grappling with her feelings for Halbrand, even after Sauron's reveal, but also now the allure of the ring. What is it like finding this balance in the performance between someone who is still seeking to do the right thing for her people, even as she's conflicted with these various emotions?
Morfydd Clark: Just love the rolled "r" in Galadriel there, so nice. [Chuckles] Yeah, it's really interesting, because I think the risk for Galadriel is that she feels she's kind of escaped the clutches of Sauron, but she really hasn't. He's left lasting damage on her, and I think one of the things that she's really got to fight is maintaining hope and bravery that, despite what has happened, she can go on to kind of fight for another world to the one that Sauron wants to create.
I've been thinking a lot about that [part] when Gandalf is like, "A fool's hope," because I think there's a lot of that in this season. People have got to be brave, and people have got to take risks, and people have got to continue to believe that what they can do can make a difference, even though it feels like they can't.
Adar Is "So Complex" Hazeldine Didn't Think About Comparison To Season 1's Actor
Sam, I would like to turn to you next. This is obviously your first time in the role, but in a way, it works perfectly, because Adar is now building his own power and finding his own identity, separate from working under Sauron. What is it like capturing that side of this character in comparison to what Joseph did in season 1?
Sam Hazeldine: Well, what Joseph did in season 1 was he succeeded in making a home for the Uruk, and so we are, theoretically, on safe ground. Now, there's always going to be the threat of the Elves and maybe the men of the Southlands, but it's nothing compared to the existential threat of Sauron, but we quickly find out that he's back, and so that throws everything into disarray, and we have to get back on the horse.
So what is it then like crafting your own identity in this character, while also staying true to what the showrunners and what Joseph did in season 1?
Sam Hazeldine: Well, I really liked who the character was and what Joseph and the showrunners had created, so I didn't really think about it too much. I think it's more of a case if you were kind of stuck doing something that was very limited, that you didn't like, that would be a problem. But because it's such a kind of fully fleshed out character, so complex, there's so much to take into play that I really didn't give it too much thought.
We look recognizably, it's the same character, obviously, but we don't look alike particularly. So, yeah, no, it was just a pleasure, really, to take over. And, as I said, I think it's sort of circumstances, new circumstances, the things that really take Adar in various different directions, rather than a decision by an actor. I think that's the answer.
Rings Of Power Season 2 Will Introduce An "Elf Super Group"
Morfydd, I'll turn back to you really quickly before I let you go. Season 1 had plenty of action for you, and the trailer for season 2 has already teased you fighting against Sauron directly. Is there more action to come this season in comparison to season 1?
Morfydd Clark: Yeah, there's lots of action, and there's a little elf super group, which I was really excited about. So we've got new elves, and we're seeing them. It's always really exciting when a new elf came on. It was like, "What's their special way of doing things?" So I'm really looking forward to everyone seeing it.
Sam Hazeldine: Like an elf A-Team.
Morfydd Clark: [Laughs] Yeah, meeting these new characters, because they were all amazing. And it was nice to see Galadriel back amongst the elves.
About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2
In Season Two of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on Season One’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.
Check out other The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 interviews with:
- Cast at SDCC 2024 Red Carpet
- Cast at SDCC 2024 Media Suite
- Daniel Weyman, Markella Kavenagh & Megan Richards
- Charles Edwards & Charlie Vickers
- Ismael Cruz Córdova & Benjamin Walker
- Co-Showrunner Patrick McKay & Executive Producer Lindsey Weber
The first three episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premiere on August 29, followed by new episodes on Thursdays on Prime Video.
Source: Screen Rant Plus

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
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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