Harfoots Won't Appear in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 3

In an interview with Empire, the showrunner of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, J.D. Payne, confirmed that the Harfoots will have a smaller role in the series’ third season. "It was time for them to take a little bit more of a backseat," Payne said. "But I’ll also say: never count a Halfling out."

The Harfoots, one of the ancient hobbit breeds, were introduced in the first season and played a central role in the story alongside the Stranger (later revealed to be Gandalf). 

In the second season, Nori and Poppy traveled to Rhûn and met the Stoors, another ancient lineage. At the end of the season, the Harfoots joined the Stoors in a new migration.

The decision to reduce the Harfoots’ presence in the third season may be tied to the mixed reception from viewers. The characters were criticized by fans, who questioned the departure from J.R.R. Tolkien’s work (which did not place hobbits in active storylines during the Second Age).

Payne did not rule out a future return for the Harfoots. The new season is expected to focus on Sauron and his quest to forge the One Ring, the introduction of Celeborn (Galadriel’s husband), and Gandalf’s growth.

Asked about the possibility of a Gollum origin involving the Stoors in future seasons, the other showrunner, Patrick McKay, replied: "We have a lot of ideas for future seasons. Stay tuned, that’s all we can say for now."

Everything you need to know about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

The third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will make a major time jump from its second year — check out the official synopsis: "Set many years after the events of season two, season three takes place at the height of the war between the elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to forge the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer Middle-earth."

Within the mythology created by J.R.R. Tolkien, the war of the elves against Sauron took place during the Second Age of Middle-earth, and it was the first great battle against the villain, played by Charlie Vickers. It is a battle that happens before the conflict seen in the prologue of The Lord of the Rings films.

In addition to Vickers, season three will also see the return of Morfydd Clark (Galadriel), Robert Aramayo (Elrond), Ismael Cruz Córdova (Arondir), Owain Arthur (Durin), Daniel Weyman (Gandalf), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Miriel), Trystan Gravelle (Pharazon), and more. New additions to the cast include Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things) and Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan), in roles that have not yet been revealed.

Showrunners Payne and McKay, who have led the series since the first season, remain in charge of The Rings of Power. Episodes in the third year will be directed by Charlotte Brändström (Shōgun), Sanaa Hamri (The Wheel of Time), and Stefan Schwartz (The Boys).

The new season premieres on November 11.