'The Lord of the Rings: The RIngs of Power' Season 3 Gets New Images

Entertainment Weekly has released never-before-seen images of Barad-dûr for the third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The pictures, alongside an interview with production designer Kristian Milsted, confirm that Sauron's fortress will have its interiors shown for the first time in the series.

Milsted detailed the process of creating the set, describing the construction of Barad-dûr as one of the biggest challenges of the season. The designer spoke about the balance between the somber grandeur of the fortress and the claustrophobic feeling of oppression in the interior spaces.

One of the points highlighted in the interview is the mention of a "familiar figure hanging on the walls" of the fortress. Milsted did not reveal who it is, but the description indicates that elements of Sauron's past or his enemies will be exposed in the setting.

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 feature a major time jump compared to season two — check out the official synopsis: "Set many years after the events of the second season, 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, which 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 Middle-earth’s Second Age, and it was the first great battle against the villain, played in The Rings of Power 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, 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 are also returning for the third season. 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 JD Payne and Patrick McKay, who have led the series since its first season, remain in charge of The Rings of Power. Season three’s episodes will be directed by names such as Charlotte Brändström (Shōgun), Sanaa Hamri (The Wheel of Time), and Stefan Schwartz (The Boys).

The new season premieres on November 11.