Rings of Power Returns to Prime Video with Season Three

The third season of "The Rings of Power" arrives on Prime Video on Wednesday, June 11, releasing its first four of eight episodes. The story jumps forward five years from the previous season and centres on the distribution of the nine rings to men and on Sauron's forging of the One Ring.

Sauron, played by Charlie Vickers, appears this season in a look closer to Peter Jackson's films: black armour and a crown. Readers of J.R.R. Tolkien had criticised earlier seasons for humanising the character. Vickers said other adaptations may take different styles and still honour the spirit of the author.

What else does the season cover?

The elf Galadriel, played by Morfydd Clark, reunites with her husband Celeborn, played by Jamie Campbell Bower. The season also follows Gandalf's growing understanding of his role in the fight against Sauron, and traces the consequences of the Balrog's awakening among the dwarves of Khazad-dûm.

What do the numbers say about the audience?

Despite the striking visuals, the production has not matched the volume of discussion generated by series such as "Game of Thrones". Data from Nielsen and Luminate Intelligence show that viewership fell between the first and second seasons, dropping by half on some metrics. Amazon does not release official figures, but director JD Payne said he is satisfied with the results.

How much does the series cost?

The budget is enormous. In 2021, the government of New Zealand disclosed that the company planned to invest US$465 million in the initial filming. According to Variety, that figure is more than five times the US$90 million cost of the final season of "Game of Thrones".

Where is production heading next?

The production moved from New Zealand to the United Kingdom starting with the second season, in order to draw on the crew behind the original films. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is filming "The Hunt for Gollum" in New Zealand, scheduled for 2027, with director Peter Jackson involved.

For Amazon, the third season is a test of whether a darker, more film-faithful Sauron can rebuild the audience the series has lost since its debut.