Amazon hires director for multiple episodes of Lord of the Rings show

Amazon Prime Video is still hard at work on its ridiculously expensive Lord of the Rings show, which is set during the Second Age of Middle-earth. Although we’ve been observing the series for a while now, including getting a look at its large cast, we still don’t have many details about it. Not along, cast member Tom Budge left the show after what he described as “a very difficult and unusual experience.” Was this an indication that there was trouble in fake Middle-earth?

Maybe, maybe not. My sense was that Budge’s exit was a consequence of the team doing some retooling after watching the first two episodes, which served as a kind of internal pilot. Such retooling is not uncommon in these sorts of situations, and Amazon must think the changes worked, because it just announced it’s hired someone to direct four more episodes of the first season: Wayne Che Yip.

The British Chinese director, who’s also worked on series like Preacher, Doctor Who and Amazon’s own The Wheel of Time show, sounds psyched to be on board. “It is a true honor to be invited into the world of Tolkien by J.D. & Patrick and Amazon Studios,” he said in a statement. “Every day I look forward to working with the incredible team here in New Zealand as we humbly contribute to the legacy of the greatest stories ever told.”

When will The Lord of the Rings TV show air on Amazon Prime Video?

Naturally, the team is filming in New Zealand, where Peter Jackson also shot his iconic Lord of the Rings movies. We don’t know when the show might premiere, but with things progressing, I would say that 2022 is a good bet.

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