Showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne confirmed that work onThe Rings of Powerseason 3 is currently underway, andit’s really no surprise theLord of the Ringsshow is getting another outing. Although the reception toThe Rings of Poweris incredibly mixed, the Prime Video series is cementing itself as one of the platform’s most successful originals.The Rings of Powerseason 2 may have stirred controversy withchoices like having Elrond and Galadriel kiss, but its reviews were much stronger than those of the first outing.
Despite a viewership decline (viaDeadline),it also passed an impressive milestone for Prime Video— and this makesThe Rings of Powerseason 3’s confirmationfar less surprising. AlthoughThe Lord of the Ringsshow is still receiving heavy criticism — with some claiming it’dbe better if it wasn’t based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s works— it’s clearly resonating enough to maintain a regular audience and move forward with its story. At this rate, it could very well fulfill the creators' five-season plan, even in spite of its viewership dip from season 1.
The Lord Of The Rings Show Is Among Amazon’s Best-Performing Originals
There were concerns overThe Rings of Power’s future after its season 2 viewership didn’t live up to season 1’s numbers, as season 2 had accumulated 55 million views ahead of its finale, while season 1 garnered over 150 million. However, this drop doesn’t necessarily mean the show isn’t successful. In fact, the Amazon series crossed an impressive milestone that suggests it could be around for a while. Per Amazon,theLord of the Ringsshow is among its top five best-performing originals thanks to season 2, sitting alongside hits likeThe Boys, Reacher,andFallout(viaVariety).
10 Ways The Rings Of Power Season 2 Was Better Than Season 1
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 made some big improvements on season 1, explaining its multiple weeks as Amazon’s most-watched.
Even ifThe Rings of Powerhasn’t maintained all of its audience from 2022, that’s a significant feat. And with Amazon recognizingThe Rings of Poweras one of its top original shows,it makes sense that the company is continuing to invest in its future. Judging by Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke’s comments, it sounds like Prime Video is having a solid year when it comes to new releases.The Rings of Poweris included in that, and if it continues to garner positive feedback and bring in tens of millions of viewers, the show will likely continue to be renewed.
The Rings Of Power’s Success Bodes Well For The Series' Five-Season Plan
The Creators Could Adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s Entire Second Age
McKay and Payne have been vocal about theirfive-season plan forThe Rings of Power, and if the series remains among Amazon’s top-performing originals, it’s likely to see that through to fruition. With season 3 moving forward,the creators are already halfway to bringing the entire Second Age to life on-screen. Although another drop in viewership could still derail their plans,The Rings of Powerseason 2’s reviewssuggest it won’t happen.
Uninterested or skeptical viewers likely abandoned the show after losing interest in season 1, but those who stuck around through season 2 are probably more committed.
Uninterested or skeptical viewers likely abandoned the show after losing interest in season 1, but those who stuck around through season 2 are probably more committed. That makes another significant drop less likely. And ifThe Rings of Powerkeeps delivering compelling performances and epic battle sequences on par with those in its sophomore season, it could even pick up more viewers heading into its later outings.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
