The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 3 will begin production soon. The Prime Video fantasy show, which is based on the extended works of J.R.R. Tolkien, is a sweeping epic that explores the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before Frodo’s mission to destroy the One Ring. Although the upcomingRings of Powerseason 3was not confirmed for some time after the release of season 2 in 2024, it is part of a $1 billion five-season commitment that made the sweeping epic the most expensive series of all time.
Prime Videohas now officially confirmed thatThe Rings of Powerseason 3 is renewed and announced thatit is set to begin principal photography in spring 2025. Production will take place in the series' new home at the UK’s Shepperton Studios. Directors Charlotte Brändström (who has previously helmed seven episodes of the series), Sanaa Hamri (who has directed three), and Stefan Schwartz (who is a series newcomer and has previously directed episodes ofThe Boys,My Lady Jane,The Americans,Fear the Walking Dead,White Collar, andDexter) have boarded season 3 andwill each direct multiple episodes.
Reada statement from Amazon MGM Studios' head of televisionVernon Sanders below:
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powercontinues to captivate audiences worldwide, and we’re thrilled that a third season is underway. The creative team has an extraordinary vision of what’s to come with stories that have left us enchanted and enthralled. We look forward to continuing this epic journey, for our global customers, delving even deeper into the legendary tales that shaped Middle-earth.
What This Means For The Rings Of Power
The Lord Of The Rings Show Could Have A Long Hiatus
Although production is kicking off relatively soon, it will still likely be quite some time before the show is able to follow up on theRings of Powerseason 2 ending. Because of the show’s epic scope and visual effects needs,production and post-production both require extensive periods of time, meaning that season 3’s premiere could still be a very long way off. Below, see the precedent set by the production timelines of the previous two seasons:
Rings of Powerseason 1
Rings of Powerseason 2
Rings of Powerseason 3
TBD
Although production of season 1 was complicated by being shut down after about a month amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, filming for a season so far seems to take roughly eight to 11 months. Even at the lower end of this range, production on season 3 likely will not wrap until at least December 2025. Given the fact that post-production has consistently taken just over a year, it seemslikely thatRings of Powerseason 3 will premiere in early 2027, giving the show its longest hiatus yet.
Our Take On The Rings Of Power Update
The Long Hiatus Could Damage The Lord Of The Rings Show
It is possible that this delay between the end of season 2 and production on season 3 could negatively impact the fantasy series.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2had diminishing returns with a severe 60% drop in viewership according to aLuminatereport from early 2025.This impending long wait between seasons could potentially cause even more viewers to lose interest in the show, reducing its ability to justify its massive budget even more.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
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.
