As a seasoned fan of Middle-earth and its enigmatic inhabitants, I find myself utterly captivated by the intriguing character of The Stranger in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. With his mysterious origins and enchanting presence, he has stirred a sense of anticipation within me that is reminiscent of my first read through Tolkien’s epic novels.
With the second season of The Rings of Power now here, viewers remain clueless about the enigmatic figure known as The Stranger, portrayed by Daniel Weyman, yet we’re edging ever closer to unveiling his true identity.
Towards the finale of season 1, it came to light that the kind giant is actually an Istar, which is another term for a wizard. This discovery has sparked speculation that the character might transform into Gandalf the Grey, famously portrayed by Sir Ian McKellen in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films.
According to showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay, we’ll uncover who The Stranger is during season 2, as he sets off on a new adventure together with Nori, portrayed by Markella Kavenagh.
“On this upcoming journey, you’ll find yourself in a similar position as him. The identity of ‘him’ is indeed a component, but it’s just the cherries on top – intriguing, yet not the entire story. However, by the end of this current season, the mystery will be unraveled.”
Who is The Stranger in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?
As a movie enthusiast, I’d say “The Stranger is a mystical figure, possibly a star or a sorcerer, who mysteriously landed on Middle-earth following a blazing crimson meteorite.”
In the first episode, a noticeable red comet, seen by many throughout Middle-earth, plummets down in the region of Rhovanion, close to a group of Harfoots’ settlement.
As the daring Harfoot called Nori draws near the wreckage, she spots The Stranger sprawled within a blazing pit.
Following the events, the subsequent episode finds Nori and her companion, Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards), concealing The Stranger. This encounter seems fated for Nori, as she feels a sense of destiny about meeting him.
A day later, Nori locates The Stranger while he was engrossed in peculiar symbols, scaring him so much that he let out a shout. The sudden appearance of shadows and gusts suggested that this individual possessed magical powers.
Easing his agitation, Nori offers him some sustenance. It seems as though The Stranger doesn’t recognize himself and is attempting to convey a message to Nori using symbols – suggesting a potential warning.
Later on, Nori and Poppy revisit The Stranger, discovering him gazing at a sky filled with stars. It’s worth mentioning that the upcoming migration of their nomadic kin, the Harfoots, is approaching.
But rather than pointing out landmarks, The Stranger notices the glowing insects in their lantern-like bodies, crushes one, freeing the fireflies. He then converses with them and sends them off, aligning himself with a pattern of stars – implying he intends to guide the Harfoots towards something using these fireflies as a beacon.
Following these events, The Stranger seems drained from his activities and faints, causing Nori and Poppy to observe that the fireflies are no longer flickering.
In the third episode, named “Adar,” The Stranger unintentionally reveals himself to the Harfoot community as he tries to understand some celestial charts on the night before they prepare for their forthcoming journey.
Regardless of their annoyance towards Nori for assisting this mysterious character, the Harfoots permit the Brandyfoot group to remain part of the caravan, but they are stationed at the rear end.
With Largo, Nori’s father, hindered by a sprained ankle from managing their possessions, The Stranger steps in, assisting with the cart-pulling, thereby gaining acceptance and respect within the Harfoot group. Yet, this harmony is short-lived.
At the close of the current season, The Stranger sets off on a voyage alongside Nori, aiming to discover his origins. In the upcoming season 2, they will carry on this quest, navigating their way towards the territory of Rhûn.
In a natural and easy-to-read manner, Daniel Weyman, who plays The Stranger, confessed that he feels deeply moved by all the curiosity and speculation about his character.
“It’s incredibly respectful to listen to those who cherish this tale so deeply and possess such profound understanding of it. I consider myself more like a guardian, preserving a piece of a much larger narrative.”
However, he contended that The Stranger’s real identity doesn’t significantly impact our comprehension of the character since “we’re already quite familiar with him, regardless of what his name eventually turns out to be”.
As I, a cinephile, step into the shoes of this enigmatic figure known as The Stranger, I’m bracing myself for a rollercoaster ride. I’ve been called upon to accompany Nori, a Harfoot, on an arduous journey across the desolate expanse of Rhûn. It promises to be a season filled with unexpected twists and turns, just like a riveting movie plot!
The duo embarks on an enlightening voyage, aiming to uncover insights about their reason for being.
“Things begin to unravel rather swiftly,” Weyman pointed out. “Either it’s the environment proving challenging – lack of sustenance, scarce water, and intense heat. Or perhaps it’s the encroaching nightfall that threatens Middle-earth. All of a sudden, they find themselves confronted with issues that lie beyond The Stranger’s expertise.”
“The Stranger’s role is to sort through all the various options available to him and determine the course of action he should take.”
It’s widely believed that the mysterious figure known as The Stranger could potentially be none other than the well-known wizard from The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf.
According to the stories of J.R.R. Tolkien, Gandalf was actually a Maia, an ethereal being, from the realm of Valinor. Originally known as Olórin, he chose to appear in the guise of a human.
In the Third Age, Olórin arrived in Middle-earth, disembarking at Mithlond Harbors. Dispatched by the supreme being, the Creator (Eru), he was there to support the people of the land against the danger posed by Sauron. He chose to appear as an elderly man, demonstrating humility and fostering trust among the local populace.
In Middle-earth, Gandalf the Grey was the disguise assumed by the character known as Olórin, and he was one of the five wizards who were dispatched on a specific task. Additionally, Gandalf held the position of leader within this group, with Saruman the White serving alongside him.
It’s worth mentioning that Gandalf appeared later in the sequence of events depicted in this series, according to both the book timeline and the intricate details found within Tolkien’s lore.
Daniel Weyman’s British background, disheveled appearance, magical abilities, ability to converse with tiny insects, and his bond with the Harfoot ancestors of Hobbits strongly support the notion that The Stranger in the television series is an adaptation of Gandalf’s origins.
Originating from a different world altogether, he was destined to make his entrance in Middle-earth, driven by a defined purpose – aiding in the struggle against Sauron.
The character’s look mirrors that of the wandering Norse deity Odin, who Gandalf has often been likened to.
However, perhaps The Stranger could be a different wizard – perhaps Saruman the White himself or Radagast the Brown.
Who plays The Stranger in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?
In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the character known as The Stranger is played by the talented English actor Daniel Weyman.
Over the course of his career, Weyman has showcased his versatility in various roles on both stage and screen. Notably, he has made appearances in TV shows like Colditz, BBC’s Dunkirk, Van Gough, Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders, and an episode of Poirot titled Dead Man’s Folly.
Weyman is most recognized for his performance as Max Thorndyke on the BBC crime series Silent Witness, where he acted as the spouse to recurring character Clarissa Mullery, portrayed by Liz Carr.
In a conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Weyman shared that he believes viewers will enjoy following the storyline of The Stranger in The Rings of Power just as much as he did while filming it.
In other words, throughout the process of writing the narrative, I had a clear understanding of the character’s location, identity, and experiences at every stage.
“So, from my point of view, it was quite an easy task to follow that through.”
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2024-08-27 18:36