Summary
With all the buzz surrounding Season 2 ofThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,fans have been spinning plenty of theories about key characters and plot twists they think they’ve uncovered. However, the show’s producers are shutting down one major fan theory.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerSeason 2 has unveiled a slew of new characters inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe, yet the true identity of one particular wizard remains shrouded in mystery. Fans were thrilled whenSeason 2’s finaleconfirmed the Stranger’s true name, portrayed by Daniel Weyman, aligning with many speculations. However, the enigmatic Dark Wizard, played by Ciarán Hinds, continues to perplex viewers, with his exact identity still under wraps. As fans speculate whether he might be a legendary villain fromThe Lord of the Rings saga, the show’s creators seem to have dropped hints about his true nature, leaving audiences eagerly guessing.
In recent interviews,The Rings of Powershowrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne addressed the fan theory suggesting that theDark Wizard might be Saruman, famously played by the late Christopher Lee in Peter Jackson’s films. The theory gained traction since Hinds' character bears a resemblance to a younger Saruman. Additionally, before The Stranger’s reveal as Gandalf the Grey, the Istar had a cryptic interaction with the Dark Wizard of Rhûn, who referred to Gandalf as an “old friend.” This led some fans to speculate that the Dark Wizard could actually be Saruman the White. However, McKay and Payne have firmly debunked this idea, making it clear that the Dark Wizard is not Saruman. “We know that in the history of Middle-earth, some wizards become corrupted,” McKay explained toThe Hollywood Reporter. “So there is precedent for this, but that doesn’t mean it’s the same guy.” In a separate chat withVanity FairMcKay stated, “Given the history of Middle-earth, it would be highly, highly, highly improbable that this could be Saruman,” Payne added, “If not impossible.”
The identity of the Dark Wizard remains a mystery, and while his name hasn’t been revealed, it’s nearly impossible for him to be Saruman. So, if the Dark Wizard isn’t Saruman, then who could he be? BeyondSaruman and Gandalf, there’s Radagast the Brown and two unnamed Blue Wizards, as Payne hinted to THR, adding, “that’s all we’ll say.” In Middle-earth, only five wizards, or Istari, are known. We already know that the Stranger inThe Rings of Poweris Gandalf, and the Dark Wizard is not Saruman. This leaves few possibilities, butRadagastseems unlikely, given his alliance with Gandalf during Middle-earth’s Third Age. It’s tough to picture Radagast and Gandalf staying on good terms after the way the Dark Wizard treats the Stoors and Harfoots inThe Rings of PowerSeason 2 finale.
That makes thetwo Blue Wizardsprime suspects, with another potential clue surfacing inThe Rings of PowerSeason 2 finale. The Dark Wizard hints at a past friendship with Gandalf, revealing they were close during their time in Valinor before becoming wizards in Middle-earth. This aligns with the backstory of the Blue Wizards, where Alatar, chosen by the Valar, invites his friend Pallando to accompany him on a mission to Middle-earth. Together, they became the two Blue Wizards, eventually fading into obscurity in Tolkien’s lore. It seems the show’s writers could be blending the Blue Wizards' origins with Gandalf’s story, adding deeper personal stakes to the conflict between the Stranger and the Dark Wizard.
While the true identity of the Dark Wizard remains uncertain, the idea of him being a corrupted Blue Wizard aligns well with Tolkien’s early writings about these mysterious characters. This speculation fits seamlessly into the rich LOTR lore, setting up intriguing possibilities forThe Rings of PowerSeason 3. Tolkien’s works often explore the theme of powerful figures being lured to darkness—likeGandalf, who refuses the Ringto avoid its corruption, and Saruman, who believes his shift to evil could save the world, however warped that logic might be. The idea that even wizards can be swayed to the dark side makes the prospect of Ciarán Hinds’ portrayal all the more exciting. And if Prime Video moves forward with adeserved third season, fans might just get the full backstory they’ve been eagerly awaiting.
