The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 cast & character guide with pictures

It's time to head back to Middle-earth, because the third season of Prime Video's Lord of the Rings television show The Rings of Power has arrived! Based on the appendices of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and pieces of The Silmarillion, The Rings of Power is a sprawling affair with dozens of characters, numerous wondrous locations, and interweaving political conflicts between the races of Middle-earth and beyond.

With all that said, it can be hard to keep track of every single player on the board, especially as season 3 expands the cast even more with a number of important new characters. That's why we've compiled this extensive character and cast guide to help you keep all those faces in season 3 straight.

Sauron (played by Charlie Vickers)

Of everyone in this show, does the Dark Lord truly need an introduction? Sauron is the titular Lord of the Rings, who spent the last two seasons gradually helping bring the Rings of Power into existence by manipulating the Elven smith Celebrimbor to unwittingly do his bidding. Now, Sauron is fully in his element, ruling over the oppressive land of Mordor and the Orcs with an iron fist as he seeks to forge the One Ring so that he can bend all others to his will.

Galadriel (played by Morfydd Clark)

In many ways, Galadriel is the main character of The Rings of Power and a foil to Sauron. She is his staunchest adversary, who also accidentally helped him return in the first season when she believed him to be the human, Halbrand. Now, she's one of the Elves’ staunchest warriors, leading her people to battle and undermining Sauron's work wherever she can.

Galadriel has a long-lost husband, Celeborn, who she believes died during the First Age, over a thousand years before the main story of The Rings of Power. She is the wielder of the Elven Ring of Power, Nenya.

Celeborn (played by Jamie Campbell Bower)

Celeborn is the husband Galadriel lost, who is finally coming back into the picture in season 3 when it's revealed that he didn't die as she believed, but has been shuffled through various Orc prisons for the last millennia. In the First Age, he was an Elven prince and a general in the army of King Thingol, fighting against the original Dark Lord, Morgoth. How his centuries of imprisonment have affected him, and whether he'll be able to pick things back up with Galadriel, remains to be seen.

Celeborn is played by Jamie Campbell Bower, the actor famous for portraying the main villain of Stranger Things, Vecna. Needless to say, he's got a much better looking costume this time around!

Arondir (played by Ismael Cruz Córdova)

Arondir is a Sindarin Wood-Elf who once stood guard over the Men of the Southlands, making sure they didn't return to their former allegiance to Morgoth during the Second Age. It was during that time that he fell in love with a human woman, Bronwyn, and eventually came to serve as a father figure to her son, Theo, following her death between seasons 1 and 2.

Arondir crossed paths with the larger Elf army at the Battle of Eregion in the season 2 finale, and has since become one of Galadriel's close friends and comrades. The two have fought the shadow together for the past five years, but their greatest trials yet lay ahead in The Rings of Power season 3.

Elrond (played by Robert Aramayo)

Elrond is a key Elf character in the series, who is one of the most familiar figures from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to appear in the show. In this earlier era, he's the Elves’ best negotiator, who has a keen understanding of the other races of Middle-earth. Considering how aloof many of the other Elves can be, this is a valuable trait that allows Elrond to build bridges with the Dwarves and others.

He is a friend to Galadriel, and a trusted advisor of High King Gil-galad. He's also leading the Elves based at Rivendell, a growing safe haven which was built during the five-year time jump following season 2.

In Tolkien's lore, Elrond has a twin brother, Elros, who is also briefly played this season by Robert Aramayo. Elrond and Elros are both half human and half Elf, owing to a mixture of both races that stretches back in their family tree. Following the First Age, they were given a choice to either become Men or Elves, which is unique in all Tolkien's legendarium. Elrond chose to stay an Elf. As for Elros, we'll see what decision he made as season 3 unfolds.

Theo (played by Tyroe Muhafidin)

Theo is a young Southlander, the son of Bronwyn. He never knew his father. When the Southlands turned into Mordor, Theo and Arondir managed to escape the danger along with the stranded Númenórean Isildur. We left Theo at the Númenórean colony of Pelargir on the shore of Middle-earth, where he thought he would be safe.

But after the season 3 time jump, we see that Theo is all grown up and has been living as essentially a slave for the last half decade, cutting down trees for the construction of Númenor's armada. Suffice to say, this harsh treatment drives him to seek out a much more dangerous master, especially since he hasn't seen Arondir during those lost years to help guide him back to the light.

Marnûkh (played by Adam Young)

Marnûkh is a new character this season who has a huge impact on the fate of Middle-earth. We're introduced to this Orc as a servant of Sauron, but by the end of the season premiere, he makes a play to warn the Elves about the Dark Lord's quest to craft the One Ring. However, whether Marnûkh can actually be trusted, and what his true motives are, is very much a mystery that the season unravels.

Gandalf (played by Daniel Weyman)

For the first two seasons of The Rings of Power, the grey Wizard was known simply as "the Stranger." But after saving the Harfoots and Stoors from the Dark Wizard at the end of season 2, he earned the nickname "Grand Elf," which has given way to his more recognizable name: Gandalf.

In season 3, Gandalf the Grey has finally arrived, acting much more like the Wizard we all known and love from The Lord of the Rings. He's been laying low in the desert nation of Rhûn, working at every turn to undermine the Dark Wizard's attempts to gain more power while he tries to figure out a way to also stop Sauron.

Tom Bombadil (played by Rory Kinnear)

Ah, Tom Bombadil, one of the most whimsical characters Tolkien ever created. Old Tom is the living embodiment of the natural world, so while he may look like a human, his roots go back much deeper, arguably to the point where he may well be the oldest living thing in Middle-earth. This colors his seemingly carefree attitude, which can almost prove irritating to others who want to take more action. Tom has a penchant for singing and not fussing, because the world will always keep turning.

In season 2, Tom Bombadil served as something of a mentor to Gandalf, helping him come to terms with his existence as a Wizard. They've continued to be friends and companions through the five-year gap and into season 3.

The Dark Wizard (played by Ciarán Hinds)

The Dark Wizard is exactly what he sounds like: a Wizard sent to Middle-earth with a higher purpose who turned his back on it, and began amassing power for his own nefarious gains. He has gained control of the powerful desert nation of Rhûn, where he's assembled not only a vast army, but a group of magically gifted acolytes to do his bidding.

Despite his evil leaning, the Dark Wizard does not want to ally with Sauron. He wants power for himself and himself alone. His true identity is one of the mysteries season 3 will have to address fairly early on.

Khamûl the Easterling (played by Zubin Varla)

Another important character coming out of Rhûn is Khamûl the Easterling, a dreaded warlord of the region. In the season 3 premiere, we see him come into contact with Sauron, where he is elevated to become one of the Dark Lord's Nazgnagôl — the earliest incarnation of the Ringwraiths. This aligns with Tolkien's lore, where Khamûl is one of the only two Nazgûl whose names are revealed.

Khamûl and the native people of Rhûn suffered under the rule of the Dark Wizard, who cursed them all to have leprosy that would be passed down through generations. But thanks to his Ring of Power, Khamûl's form is restored, making him the "fairest of the Nine." Of course that means he's now deadly loyal to Sauron, and stands to become one of the mightiest Nazgnagôl.

High King Gil-galad (played by Benjamin Walker)

High King Gil-galad rules the Ñoldor Elves of Middle-earth, who are primarily based in the city of Lindon. He has already ruled for centuries by the time of The Rings of Power, and is a highly respected figure who has ruled with a fair hand, wisdom, and an even temper.

With the Elves now at war with Sauron, Gil-galad has taken to the field to lead his people in battle. He is the bearer of the Elven Ring Vilya.

Círdan the Shipwright (played by Ben Daniels)

Círdan is another highly respected leader among the Elves, known as Círdan the Shipwright for his work building ships at the Grey Havens, which in turn carry the Elves who are prepared to end their time on Middle-earth back to the immortal land of Valinor far in the west. In season 3, he stands as a close ally and advisor to Gil-galad, leading the war effort alongside him as the closest thing the High King has to an equal. He is the bearer of the Elven Ring Narya.

Ar-Pharazôn (played by Trystan Gravelle)

As of season 3, Pharazôn is the King of Númenor, the mighty island empire of Men blessed with long lives by the Valar, for their part in helping defeat the Dark Lord Morgoth in the First Age. Pharazôn's rise to power was not an easy one, as he essentially had to coup out his cousin, Queen Míriel, in order to seize the scepter of rule for himself. He leads the King's Men, and has brought a time of great prosperity to those Númenóreans that remained loyal to him.

His eyes now turn to Middle-earth, where the rise of Sauron and the Dark Lord's claim to supposedly rule all Men has incited Ar-Pharazôn's fragile ego, drawing him toward the great conflict for Middle-earth.

Tar-Míriel (played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson)

Míriel is the cousin to Ar-Pharazôn, and served as the Queen Regent of Númenor until the death of her father King Palantir, after which she ascended the throne to become queen herself. However, her reign was contested from the start, largely because she decided to aid the Elves and Men of the Southlands in season 1, while Pharazôn's faction of Númenóreans wanted to stay out of the affairs of Middle-earth. Míriel was blinded during the eruption of Mount Doom that formed Mordor near the end of season 1.

In season 3, Míriel remains the leader of the Faithful, preaching of a brighter future while in hiding on Númenor.

Elendil (played by Lloyd Owen)

Elendil is a lord of Númenor and one of its most decorated warriors. He led the mission to Middle-earth in season 1, and became one of Queen Míriel's most loyal defenders. However, when it became clear Pharazôn was going to take over the isle, Elendil went into hiding with the rest of the Faithful, intent on raising an army to back Míriel's claim.

Elendil is the distant ancestor of Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, and his entire family plays a key role in The Rings of Power's story. He is the father of Isildur, Eärien, and Anárion.

Isildur (played by Maxim Baldry)

Isildur is the eldest son of Elendil, and a key member of the Faithful resistance on Númenor. Isildur was stranded on Middle-earth at the end of season 1, and spent all of season 2 trying to get back to his homeland. Now that he's returned, he has gone undercover in the Númenórean capital to fight back against Pharazón.

For those familiar with The Lord of the Rings, you know that Isildur has a very crucial role to play in the ultimate fight against Sauron, and the ultimate survival of the One Ring into the Third Age. Keep an eye on this one.

Eärien (played by Ema Horvath)

Eärien is Isildur's younger sister, and perhaps the most complicated member of their family. While Elendil was one of Míriel's strongest supporters, Eärien's political views hewed closer to Pharazôn's, putting Númenor first over the rest of Middle-earth. When the divide happened in Númenor, she was instrumental in helping Pharazôn oust Míriel from power. But as the coup got underway, she warned her father Elendil to flee, saving him from certain death or imprisonment.

For five years, Eärien has remained a key member of Ar-Pharazôn's court. As for the effect this has had on her, you'll have to watch season 3 to find out.

Anárion (played by Andrew Richardson)

Anárion is the younger brother of Isildur and Eärien, and a new character introduced in season 3. While Isildur was trapped on Middle-earth and Eärien was embroiled in politics in the Númenórean capital, Anárion served as a soldier, training other men to face combat and all the dangers that came with war. Together with Elendil, he is raising an army capable of facing the King's Men for control of the island.

Kemen (played by Leon Wadham)

Kemen is Pharazôn's son, one of his strongest supporters, and an all-around sleazeball. He was instrumental in not only helping his father rise to power, but driving a wedge between the King's Men and the Faithful. His ego is every bit as large as his father's, but he also craves Pharazôn's approval, not least because despite being his son, he has not actually been declared the king's heir.

At the end of season 2, Kemen arrived at the Pelargir colony in Middle-earth, which he promptly turned into a hard labor camp to build the Númenórean armada. In that way, he is directly responsible for Theo's suffering during the time jump.

Belzagar (played by Will Keen)

Lord Belzagar is a member of the Númenórean nobility, and one of Pharazôn's closest allies. Their relationship was introduced in season 2, but has grown even stronger in season 3, where Belzagar helps Pharazôn's rule in a number of important ways. He's also very familiar with Eärien and Kemen, both of whom retain prominent positions as key agents of King Ar-Pharazôn.

Durin IV (played by Owain Arthur)

Durin is a loyal Dwarf, the husband of Disa and friend of the Elf Elrond. For the first two seasons, he was next in line to the throne of Khazad-dûm after his father, Durin III. During the five-year time jump between seasons 2 and 3, Durin IV finally took his place as the leader of Dwarves, with Disa as queen beside him.

Durin's reign isn't going uncontested, though. His older brother, Thráin, is making for Khazad-dûm with is own agenda, backed by multiple Dwarf-lords who are eager to know why Durin has been keeping the Dwarven Rings of Power locked away, since they remain largely unaware of the danger they pose.

Disa (played by Sophia Nomvete)

Durin's wife, Disa is just as loyal and humorous a Dwarf as her husband. She also happens to be the most gifted stone singer in Khazad-dûm, capable of communing with the mountain with her incredible voice. Disa has proven herself as capable a queen as she is a wife and mother, but with her husband's rule about to come under fire, her greatest tests lie ahead in season 3.

Gerda & Gamli (played by Amber Mendez-Martin and Lee Braithwaite)

Gerda is the eldest child of Durin IV and Disa, and Gamli is her younger brother. The two were children in the first two seasons, but the five-year gap has seen them go through a massive growth spurt (and a recast).

Thráin (played by Eddie Marsan)

Thráin is the older brother of Durin IV, who has been living far from Khazad-dûm for many years. Now that his brother is on the throne, Tháin has returned with unclear intentions. Does he want the throne for himself? Is he working toward some unseen agenda? There are many mysteries surrounding Thráin's sudden debut in the show, but it's clear right from the jump that he's going to cause some major complications for Durin and Disa as they attempt to keep the Dwarves unified and safe from the war between Sauron and the Elves.

Narvi (played by Kevin Eldon)

Narvi is the delvemaster of Khazad-dûm, and Durin IV's right-hand Dwarf. He also served under Durin III, continuing his loyal work to retain the Dwarven kingdom's sovereignty and security. He's a good-humored and trustworthy Dwarf who is responsible for keeping track of many of the day-to-day issues of Khazad-dûm, its laws, and its overall well-being.

Lossoth Nazgnagôl & Harad Nazgnagôl (played by Paul Hickey & Cyril Nri)

Two of Sauron's main Nazgnagôl who appear in The Rings of Power season 3 are those who hail from the kingdoms of Lossoth and Haradrim, known in the show as Lossoth Nazgnagôl and Harad Nazgnagôl. These fearsome lieutenants of Sauron's were once kings of their respective regions. Lossoth is in the north of Middle-earth; Haradrim, the south. You can tell them apart by their faceplates. All of the Nazgnagôl have their own unique design.

Celebrimbor (played by Charles Edwards)

Celebrimbor was the greatest of Elven smiths of the Second Age, who was manipulated by Sauron into creating the Rings of Power. He met his end in the city of Eregion shortly after forging the Nine Rings, which Sauron planned to use to corrupt mortal Men. Despite the fact that he died in season 2, Celebrimbor continues to have a presence, thanks to how deeply he's become embedded in Sauron's subconscious.

Nori & Poppy (played by Markella Kavenagh and Megan Richards)

While the Harfoots Nori and Poppy haven't appeared in any of the marketing yet for season 3, showrunner Patrick McKay has confirmed that they are definitely returning to the show at some point. As such, it's important to remember who these two young wanderers are!

The Harfoots are the early ancestors of Hobbits. Nori and Poppy were the first beings to meet the Stranger when he fell from the sky, and traveled with him on his journeys to Rhûn, where they were played a large role in him ultimately assuming his identity as Gandalf. Whenever these two turn back up, you know it'll be a fun time!

You can catch all these characters and more in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3, streaming now on Prime Video.

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