In the first season of The Rings of Power, fans were left speculating about the true identity of the Stranger. Season two introduces a new character, a “Dark Wizard,” who will surely fuel even more theories. Played by Ciarán Hinds, known from Game of Thrones, this Dark Wizard has already sparked curiosity among fans.
We first meet the Dark Wizard in season 2, episode 2. Although his full identity remains a mystery, his immense power is clear from the start. Fans have been trying to guess who he might be, with theories ranging from well-known characters like Gandalf to Saruman. We’ll explore these theories and share an exclusive hint from the showrunners.
The Role of The Dark Wizard in the Story
In The Rings of Power season 2, episode 2, the Dark Wizard shows a deep interest in the Stranger. He asks his messengers questions about the Stranger, hinting at something more beneath the surface. The official character description reveals that the Dark Wizard is not the only wizard in Middle-earth. In the lands of Rhûn, he is waiting for the Stranger, hiding secrets and commanding a group of magic-wielding followers. These include the three travelers who were looking for the Stranger at the end of season 1, all acting on the Dark Wizard‘s orders.
Theories About His Identity
Although we don’t have concrete details, fans are already making guesses about the Dark Wizard in ‘The Rings of Power’. One popular theory is that he could be one of the Blue Wizards. In Tolkien’s writings, two Blue Wizards, Morinehtar and Romestamo, were sent to distant parts of Middle-earth to stop Sauron’s rise to power. Could one of these Blue Wizards be the Dark Wizard?
Tolkien’s later writings suggest that the Blue Wizards arrived in Middle-earth during the Second Age, long before Gandalf and Saruman. Their mission was to thwart Sauron by encouraging tribes of men to resist evil. Could this mission align with what we see in the show? It’s possible that the Dark Wizard and the Stranger could be connected to the Blue Wizards.
Could He Be Saruman?
When we hear the term “Dark Wizard” in the context of The Lord of the Rings, Saruman is often the first character that comes to mind. Saruman was sent to Middle-earth in the Third Age to fight Sauron but ultimately betrayed his fellow wizards and sided with the Dark Lord. The new Dark Wizard shares some physical similarities with Saruman and appears to be very powerful.
However, this theory has a problem: the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power already seems evil, whereas Saruman’s betrayal is a key event in the Third Age. It wouldn’t make sense for Saruman to have turned to evil so much earlier.
Could It Be Another Wizard?
Another possibility is that the Dark Wizard is one of the other wizards, like Radagast or even Gandalf. Tolkien’s writings mention that they arrived in Middle-earth in the Third Age to stop Sauron. However, the show has already altered timelines, so it’s possible that one of them could have arrived earlier.
For now, the identity of the Dark Wizard in ‘The Rings of Power’ remains a mystery. All we know is that he is a powerful figure, and fans will have to wait to see how his story unfolds.
