The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will open its third season with a Fellowship of the Ring-style prologue, intended to bring new and returning viewers up to speed. The approach accompanies a five-year time jump and signals a renewed focus on the central conflict with Sauron as the series moves towards the midpoint of its planned five-season run.

Showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay said the faster opening was a deliberate attempt to build momentum after two seasons of world-building. Season 3 begins after Eregion’s fall, with Sauron’s armies advancing across Middle-earth; familiar elements including the One Ring, early Ringwraiths, the Balrog and Gandalf will feature, while the Elves, Dwarves, Men and Wizards try to prevent Sauron’s total domination.