Though some critics have been sent all 8 episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3, they still seem to be under embargo for the time being. However, the first 2 episodes were previewed at some recent screenings, and those in attendance have been sharing their reactions on social media.
Though it's obviously difficult to get a proper read on an entire season based on the first couple of instalments, the response has been glowing so far. That said, most of these critics seem to be big fans of the previous seasons, so these new episodes may not make many converts.
Charlie Vickers is once again singled out for his performance as Sauron, but it sounds like new character Marnûkh (Adam Young), an Orc who claims to have defected from Sauron's army, is also a standout.
“We love the idea of exploring what orcs were before they became soulless, mindless slaves to Sauron’s will," co-showrunner J.D. Payne said in a recent interview. "So out of that was born this idea of an orc who would risk everything to defect, go to the Elves and say: ‘We have a common enemy.’”
The notion of an Orc being presented as anything but a rampaging, sadistic beast is sure to be another sticking point for a lot of Tolkien purists, although more casual fans seem to be on board.
Check out the reactions below, and we'll update as more come in.
New cast members include Eddie Marsan (Clayface) as King Durin IV’s older brother, Thrain; Andrew Richardson (Guys & Dolls) as Elendil’s younger son and Isildur’s brother, Anarion; and Adam Young (Don’t Breathe 2) as Marnûkh, who is described as “a mysterious Orc who may not be what he seems.”
The Boys and Shawn of the Dead star Simon Pegg will voice the Balrog.
"Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will."
"Building on Season 1’s epic scope and ambition, Season 2 of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity."
"Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots... as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all.. each other."
Returning cast members include Morfydd Clark, Benjamin Walker, Charles Edwards, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Nazanin Boniadi, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Tyroe Muhafidin, Maxim Baldry, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Owain Arthur, Trystan Gravelle, Ema Horvath, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Leon Wadham, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani.