Orc leader Adar gets a brand-new look in the Prime Video series,The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. In the latest image for the show’s second season,Sam Hazeldinetakes over the roleof Lord of the Southlands fromJoseph Mawle. And while the two look completely different, Hazeldine claims that the character will still be the same, despite his new appearance.
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, Hazeldine appreciated Mawle’s role as the Orc leader in the first season and noted that he was pleased to take over the role. He explained that though his character’s appearance will be different in Season 2, he has assured a similar performance for the show’s upcoming season. Hazeldine said:
“I know Joseph, I worked with him years ago. I think he’s a fantastic actor, and I really loved what he did in the first season. So it was actually a pleasure to take the baton from him. Obviously we don’t look the same, but the character is instantly recognizable.”
Hazeldine is one of the new cast members who have been announced to star inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerSeason 2. Others includeGabriel Akuwudike, Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle, andNicholas Woodeson.Aside from Adar, Prime Video also shared preview images ofTom Bombadil, played byRory Kinnear. Meanwhile, it was revealed thatNazanin Boniadiwill not be reprising her role of Bronwynin the show’s upcoming installment.
Why Did Joseph Mawle Leave ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’?
In 2022, Mawle explained his exit fromThe Lord of the Ringsseries onX (formerly Twitter). His wish as an actor is to “explore new characters and worlds” and he will be cheering for those involved in Season 2 on the sidelines. Since his exit, he starred in the Yellowstone spin-off series,1923, and the historical drama miniseries,Mary & George. The actor also has two future projects on the horizon. The first isThe Way of The Wind, where he will be joined by Marvel star,Ben Kingsley, andAmerican Horror Story’sJoseph Fiennes. The second is the upcoming BBC series,King and Conqueror. Both projects have yet to announce a release date.
Season 1 ofThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Poweris available to stream on Prime Video. Meanwhile, Season 2 is scheduled to be released on July 16, 2025.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Epic drama set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.
Watch on Prime Video
