Sauron and Gandalf Appear in New 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Photos

Season 3 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is in full promotional swing. This Monday (20), Empire magazine unveiled two exclusive covers for the new issue, featuring Sauron and Gandalf in never-before-seen images. Check them out below.

On the newsstand edition, Sauron appears in his fortress of Barad-dûr. The subscriber-exclusive cover, meanwhile, highlights Gandalf facing off against a gigantic Mûmak.

It’s worth noting that The Rings of Power, from Prime Video, will have a panel at SDCC this Friday (24), where the first trailer for the new episodes is expected to be released.

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 compared to season two. The official synopsis says: "Many years after the events of the second season, the third is set at the height of the war between the elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to forge the One Ring, which will give him the advantage needed 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 in The Rings of Power by Charlie Vickers. It is a battle that takes place 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 disclosed.

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

Season three premieres on November 11, 2026.