10 Best LOTR Characters in The Rings of Power, Ranked

The highly anticipated TV series, The Rings of Power, based on one of the greatest fantasy stories ever told, immediately divided fans. It’s set thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings, showing the early days of Middle-earth as elves, men, and dwarves struggle to establish themselves before the rise of evil. The show is a bold attempt to expand the beloved world, featuring both familiar characters with new backstories and entirely new faces from Tolkien’s writings. While ambitious and nostalgic, it’s also sparked debate due to the creative choices made in adapting the source material.

Despite its flaws, The Rings of Power still introduced some truly captivating characters – ones that gradually won audiences over with their charm, complexity, or simply how compelling they were to watch. When looking at both the source material from Tolkien and the show’s own creative choices, it’s natural to wonder which characters succeeded and which didn’t. Here’s a ranking of the 10 best characters from the show (excluding those invented specifically for it).

10) Tom Bombadil

Okay, as a huge Tolkien fan, I was SO excited to finally see Tom Bombadil show up in season 2 of The Rings of Power. And honestly, the showrunners nailed it. They didn’t try to overexplain him – which would have been a disaster – they just showed him. He felt right at home in the Second Age, and actually had a purpose that made more sense than his role in the books. He’s still that mysterious, all-knowing, seemingly detached character we know and love. It was a really cool Easter egg for long-time fans and a great visual for anyone who’s ever imagined him brought to life.

This character is one of the biggest enigmas in Tolkien’s world, and his omission from Peter Jackson’s movies was often debated. The show gives him a clearer purpose, though it might diminish some of his intriguing ambiguity. It’s good to see the writers taking risks with Tolkien’s established stories. He ranks lower on this list because he hasn’t significantly affected the main plot yet, mostly acting as a guide to The Stranger (who eventually becomes Gandalf). However, simply including him in the series is a positive development.

9) Gil-galad

Gil-galad always seems serious and preoccupied, befitting his role as the High King of the Elves. The show effectively portrays him as a leader burdened by the fading of his people, and doesn’t shy away from showing his uncertainties. He’s a strong, questioning, and collected figure, though he can come across as distant. While this reserve keeps him from being a completely relatable character, it aligns with the show’s focus on his political responsibilities.

Gil-galad is a legendary elven king in Tolkien’s stories, often referenced but not fully developed. The series The Rings of Power gives him a more prominent and imperfect role, making the mythical figure more relatable. While important to the overall story and world, he doesn’t dominate the narrative. He’s a character you admire rather than deeply grieve when he’s absent.

8) Isildur

The series portrays Isildur as a young man searching for his identity, which is quite different from the sorrowful character described in Tolkien’s writings. He’s eager to be a hero and achieve something meaningful, but he hasn’t yet figured out what that looks like. The show cleverly emphasizes that before his famous failure with the One Ring, Isildur was simply a determined, ambitious, and somewhat headstrong young man trying to prove his worth. This realistic approach adds depth to his story, providing context for his eventual downfall and showing he was more than just the person who made a crucial mistake.

Isildur, in the original stories, feels more like a legendary figure – the man responsible for both the salvation and downfall of Middle-earth. The show, however, is giving him a more relatable, human side, which makes his eventual fate much more impactful. It’s still early days in his storyline, so it’s hard to say where he’ll end up, but the series is clearly setting him up to be a deeply complex and emotionally resonant character. If the show continues to develop him this way, he has the potential to become one of its most compelling figures.

7) Míriel

Queen Míriel is one of the most realistic characters in The Rings of Power. As the leader of Númenor, she struggles to balance respecting old ways with the need for change, all while trying to prevent her kingdom from falling apart. She’s a believable character because she’s both devoted to her beliefs and practical in her decisions—she’s not flawless, but she understands what’s truly at stake. In the midst of Númenor’s political turmoil, Míriel is a rare voice of reason and one of the few who truly grasps the magnitude of the coming danger.

In Tolkien’s original stories, this character is largely a passive victim, with little control over her fate. The show dramatically changes that, portraying her as strong, insightful, and a significant force in the narrative. While not a traditional hero, she’s crucial to the show’s political intrigue. Her journey, particularly after losing her sight, makes her a captivating character within the Númenor plotline. Through her experiences, the escalating conflict with Pharazôn feels justified and natural, rather than simply predetermined.

6) Sauron

Sauron is arguably the most controversial character in the series, and not just because he’s the villain. The show took a gamble by revealing him as Halbrand (and previously Annatar), and it largely paid off. Instead of a typical, distant evil, they presented Sauron as charming and manipulative, and his human disguise was surprisingly effective. It allowed viewers to almost forget who he truly was, making his eventual reveal much more impactful – even if some viewers had their suspicions. This approach, showing that evil can disguise itself as something familiar, was one of the show’s most clever decisions.

Sauron has usually been portrayed as a force of evil, an idea rather than a person. This version gives him a physical presence and even a bit of confidence. However, it’s too soon to say if this is his most powerful form. While he’s already frightening, we haven’t seen the full extent of his terror yet. The season finale showed us that his true power is still developing.

5) Celebrimbor

Celebrimbor’s story is one of the most heartbreaking in Tolkien’s world, and The Rings of Power wisely focuses on him in its second season. He’s a gifted but innocent elf who believes he’s making history, but ultimately creates the very thing that will destroy him. It’s captivating to watch him struggle between confidence and denial, as he genuinely thinks he’s building something amazing while being skillfully deceived by Sauron, the greatest villain in Middle-earth. It’s a compelling, yet tragic, arc, especially knowing how his story ends and what he says to Sauron in his final moments.

Celebrimbor started as more of a legend than a fully developed character – the famous craftsman behind the Rings of Power who ultimately suffered for his creation. The show brings him to life, demonstrating how a series can expand on existing stories. However, his portrayal sometimes feels inconsistent, leaving him as a mix of hero, victim, and someone who makes poor decisions. He’s undoubtedly important to Middle-earth’s history, but he hasn’t quite become a truly compelling or emotionally resonant character yet.

4) Durin IV

Durin IV is a remarkably likable character. He’s funny, kind-hearted, and deeply committed to his responsibilities, which makes him compelling to watch. His friendship with Elrond is a highlight of the show – a genuinely warm and believable connection. Durin avoids typical dwarf tropes, showing a well-rounded personality with both strength and vulnerability. He’s a heroic prince, but refreshingly complex – neither a flawless hero nor a simple comedic character.

Furthermore, in Tolkien’s stories, Durin isn’t just one individual, but a name passed down through a family line. The show’s decision to develop this lineage into a fully fleshed-out character—separate from his father—is a brilliant move. The Prince of Khazad-dûm is a perfect example of what The Rings of Power excels at: taking small pieces of established lore and giving them genuine emotional weight. He’s truly the heart of the series, and even with a significant amount of screen time, many viewers will likely feel he deserves even more.

3) Gandalf

Presenting Gandalf before he became the Gandalf we know might seem like a gamble, but the show pulls it off. It reveals a side of him we’ve never seen – vulnerability. This version of Gandalf is still discovering his purpose and place in Middle-earth, which is captivating considering we’re used to seeing him as a wise and all-knowing guide. He retains his natural charisma and wisdom, but it’s now balanced with confusion and fear. This fresh perspective on the wizard is surprisingly effective.

I’ve always loved Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings – he’s the wise guide, the clever planner, and represents everything that needs to be in harmony. But we never really knew much about how he became that person. It always felt strange to me, given how famous he is! That’s why I was so excited about The Rings of Power – it finally shows us his origins. It’s amazing to see that even a legend like Gandalf had a messy, complicated beginning. Honestly, he’s quickly become one of my top three favorite characters in the show, even before he has the gray beard and staff we all know! He’s just that captivating.

2) Elrond

The strength of The Rings of Power really lies in how well its characters grow. Elrond is portrayed as a thoughtful leader, constantly juggling his responsibilities with his desire to be compassionate – a difficult task in this harsh world. His bond with Durin is what makes him relatable and provides the emotional core of the show. He’s the stable force that keeps everything grounded, but Season 2 shows us a more assertive and courageous side as he takes command of the Elven army, making his story even more captivating.

Elrond is already established as a revered, wise character in Tolkien’s books. But the show takes us back to explore his origins, and watching him evolve through difficult experiences is incredibly satisfying. While Galadriel understandably takes center stage, Elrond is equally important to the story. He’s a perfect fit for the show’s epic but imperfect world, and it’s easy to find yourself invested in his journey, even knowing the sadness that awaits him in the future.

1) Galadriel

Galadriel is the central character in The Rings of Power, and a captivating heroine, even though this version of the elf is quite different from the one seen in the films. She’s more prone to acting on instinct, makes mistakes, and feels much more relatable as a result – she’s not a distant, perfect being. The show deliberately portrays her as intensely focused on defeating evil, sometimes without considering the consequences, and that’s what makes her so interesting. Focusing the story on her works well because it makes the conflicts of the Second Age feel deeply personal. Importantly, she’s a strong female lead not just because of her fighting skills or leadership, but because she’s resilient – she faces setbacks but always finds a way to persevere.

Galadriel is traditionally portrayed as a supremely wise and powerful being in Middle-earth, almost like a guiding spirit. However, The Rings of Power takes a different approach, showing us the journey she undertook to become that legendary figure. This was a daring move, as it didn’t simply give fans what they anticipated. Of all the classic Tolkien characters reimagined in the show, Galadriel’s story is arguably the most compelling to follow, even though some viewers haven’t connected with it. She earns the top spot because she undergoes the biggest transformation and is the primary force pushing the plot forward. The series would be significantly weaker without her central role.

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2025-11-15 20:16