There was speculation around this, but now it’s confirmed that Ciarán Hinds is playing a Wizard from Rhun in Rings of Power Season 2. In Total Film‘s latest issue, they confirm the speculation. Hinds is playing a Wizard who is on the hunt for Daniel Wyman’s Wizard, who is on his way to Rhun.
Here is the transcript from the magazine out now.
“Círdan isn’t the only newcomer this season, with Game of Thrones actor Ciarán Hinds making the leap from Westeros to Middle-earth as a wizard hunting down Daniel Weyman’s mysterious figure (who may or may not be Gandalf). His arrival marks a Middle-earth first, as he traverses the landscape of Rhûn, which means we’ll witness deserts for the first time in Tolkien’s world.”
This would suggest there remains a possibility the Stranger is not actually Gandalf. One would imagine this Wizard of Hinds has to be one of the Blue Wizards. Whom, may have come in the Second Age and went East (Rhun). Now, in the text the Blue Wizards were friends and came together. Tolkien flip flopped on whether they did good, or turned evil like Saruman. However, his latest thought was that they must have done good. Thus preventing the East from wholly coming under the rule of Sauron.
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In the show I see two possibilities, one I like and one I don’t. Option A, there are two Blue Wizards and the other one is yet to be revealed. This means the Stranger is Gandalf, sent to thwart them. Option B, the Stranger is the second Blue Wizard and in this show they didn’t depart Valinor at the same time. Neither fits exactly with the lore from the books. However, we don’t have a definitive canon either. I’d prefer option B above where the Stranger is a Blue. Gandalf really isn’t supposed to arrive at this point in the story. It’s important he arrives in the Third Age and gets Narya upon arrival from Cirdan.
There is no images yet of Hinds in costume. Though, the internet fans have been doing some mock ups.
What do you think of the news Ciarán Hinds is playing a Wizard from Rhun in Rings of Power Season 2? Thoughts below as always.