Empire magazine has published new images of Sauron, played by Charlie Vickers, and revealed details about the continuation of the series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power".
The third season will show the creation of the One Ring. Showrunner Patrick McKay called this scene "the most ambitious and technically challenging scene we've ever done." Charlie Vickers also shared his impressions of his first appearance on set in full Sauron costume and the scale of the filming:
"The first day I walked onto that set, I cried. To be able to tell this story is an incredible privilege and a great honor. We filmed the scene of forging the One Ring for two weeks because it turned out to be very long."
Co-showrunner J.D. Payne noted that Sauron's transformation into a full-fledged antagonist will change the series' atmosphere:
"This season we have a real villain, unlike any we've had before [...] Season three is darker, more dangerous. No one is safe."
The events of the continuation will unfold several years after the finale of the second season, amidst the war between the elves and Sauron. After the fall of Eregion, the Dark Lord will strengthen his position in Mordor and attempt to gain a decisive advantage with the help of the One Ring.
The premiere of the third season of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" will take place on November 11, 2026, on Prime Video. New materials about the series are expected at a presentation during Comic-Con in San Diego, which will run from July 23 to 26. The series will also receive fourth and fifth seasons. Work on the continuation will begin this autumn.