Prime Video has confirmed that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is returning for a third season, with pre-production already underway. Filming is set to begin this autumn, shifting to a new home at Shepperton Studios in the UK.
The latest season of the high-budget fantasy series—based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s expansive lore—will see the return of directors Charlotte Brändström and Sanaa Hamri, alongside newcomer Stefan Schwartz. Each director will be handling multiple episodes in the upcoming season.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and we’re thrilled that a third season is underway,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios. “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.”
A Time Jump Planned
Prime Video has revealed that season 3 will be set several years after the events of season 2, diving into a pivotal period in Middle-earth’s history. “Jumping forward several years from the events of Season 2, Season 3 takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer all Middle-earth at last,” the streaming giant shared on social media.
OTHER POSTS:
Jumping forward several years from the events of Season 2, Season 3 takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer all Middle-earth at last. pic.twitter.com/jEkntXQOPc
— The Lord of the Rings (@TheRingsofPower) February 13, 2025
With the One Ring’s creation now at the forefront, fans may finally witness the full force of Sauron’s ambitions as he wages war against the Elves and extends his shadow over the land.
The Directors Steering Season 3
Brändström, who directed several episodes across the first two seasons, steps up as an executive producer while continuing her directing duties. Her past work includes The Witcher, The Outsider, and The Man in the High Castle. Hamri, who joined the series for season two, has an extensive directorial background that spans fellow Prime Video fantasy series The Wheel of Time and Empire. Schwartz, making his Rings of Power debut, has directed episodes of The Boys, Luther, and The Walking Dead.
Behind the scenes, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay return alongside executive producers Lindsey Weber, Justin Doble, Kate Hazell, and Brändström.
Unsurprising News
News that work is underway on a third season is unsurprising. With the series reportedly reaching over 170 million viewers worldwide, it remains one of Prime Video’s strongest performers. Season one was the platform’s biggest TV premiere to date, while season two has been declared the most-watched returning season by total hours viewed.
Expect another large-scale return to Middle-earth as production moves forward. Stay tuned as it all comes together—we’ll hopefully have a season 3 release date to report soon.
