Pretty much everyone who is a fan of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien is excited at the upcoming Amazon series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. However, fans are also concerned about the portrayal of their beloved Tolkien characters on-screen. Many are also concerned about the impression the new depictions will make compared to their counterparts in Peter Jackson’s adaptations of Tolkien’s work. This article compares eight of the series’ main characters and how they correspond with their literary counterparts.

Some things to consider:

The history of Middle-earth is divided into several time periods, each consisting of thousands of years. Their reckonings are different from how we might measure time. Therefore, any ages given are only an approximation. The Rings of Power series takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth. In the books, this age lasts for a total of 3,441 years. For the sake of the series, many events will be compressed.

Galadriel

In the series, Galadriel is portrayed in more of a main and active role than she was in Peter Jackson’s movies. According to available information, she may be starting the series living in Lindon, in the west of Middle-earth. On the one hand, she is seeking peace after millennia of tumult, but on the other hand, she remains constantly aware of the dangers facing Middle-earth and functioning as a moderating voice of reason.

In Tolkien’s works, during the Second Age, Galadriel remained in Middle-earth. She also had a daughter with her husband Celeborn and ruled over a fiefdom under Elven High-king Gil-galad in Lindon. Over the course of the age, they contact an Elven settlement in the Anduin. After the death of its king, they become Lord and Lady of this land, which becomes known as Lothlorien. When the Maia known as Annatar guides the creation of the Rings of Power, Galadriel grows to distrust him. Later Annatar is revealed to be Sauron in disguise. She advises in the hiding of the Rings and refuses to use the power of the Ring she is given if the One Ring is in Sauron’s possession.

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Gil-Galad

For television, Gil-galad is portrayed as an ageless leader ruling over Lindon; his vigilance means that he senses that something isn’t quite right in Middle-earth. He is one of the witnesses to a strange comet blazing across the skies of Middle-earth.

During the events of the books, in the Second Age, Gil-galad has chosen to remain in Middle-earth rather than return to Valinor and rules over a realm stretching from Lindon in the West to the Misty Mountains in the East. He has an alliance with the Men of Númenor. At some point, he is approached by the stranger Annatar. Gil-galad believes that this stranger is not what he seems, and Annatar eventually moves on to Eregion. When Annatar is revealed to be Sauron in disguise and Gil-galad’s distrust is proven correct, he enters the fight against Sauron. This continues for thousands of years and culminates in the War of the Last Alliance. Sauron is eventually defeated, but this final battle also results in the death of Gil-galad at the age of 4213 years.

Elrond

The Elrond portrayed in the series is a younger, more ambitious half-elven politician, different from the detached Elven lord from movies. He is trying to find a path different from his father, who had once saved the world, and his brother Elros, who chose a mortal life and became the first king of Númenor. As the series progresses, it is entirely possible we will see the founding of Rivendell as part of Elrond’s storyline.

In Tolkien’s works, having chosen at the end of the First Age to be counted among Elven-kind, Elrond starts the Second Age in Lindon as a captain and herald of High King Gil-galad. He is sent East later in the age, at the start of the war with Sauron, but arrives too late with his army. Over the years following this defeat, he founds the sanctuary of Rivendell. Elrond also becomes part of the White Council, where he is given one of the three Elven Rings of Power for safekeeping; it is also here that he meets his wife. At the end of the Second Age, Elrond stands beside Gil-galad at the Battle of the Last Alliance, becoming one of only three remaining commanders after the deaths of Gil-galad, Elendil, and Elendil’s son Anárion. He urges Isildur to destroy the One Ring, then accepts Isildur’s claim to it as a worth for his father’s and brother’s lives. Elrond then retires to Rivendell.

Celebrimbor

Celebrimbor in Rings of Power is portrayed as being a brilliant smith, descended from a legendary Elven craftsman. He is the first elf to grow suspicious of the stranger Annatar (Sauron) and forges the Elven Rings of Power in secret to keep them out of Sauron’s hands.

In Tolkien’s works, in the Second Age, Celebrimbor settles in the Middle Earth region of Eregion, where he regularly interacts with the Dwarves of Moria. When, in the year 1500, Sauron appears in the guise of Annatar and befriends the elves of Eregion, Celebrimbor distrusts him, but the other elven smiths are deceived. While the other elves forge rings under the direction of Sauron, unknowingly imbuing them with magic, Celeborn forges the Elven Rings of Power on his own. After Sauron forges the One Ring and the elves become aware of his deception, they withhold the other rings from him. Even though they were still subject to the One Ring, the rings forged by Celebrimbor are free of Sauron’s corruption. Celebrimbor sends these rings away for safekeeping, which angers Sauron. He then attacks Eregion and eventually captures Celebrimbor, ultimately torturing him to death.

Prince Durin IV

Durin IV holding his left hand in the air with a closed fist — Image Source: Gamespot

For the series, it is said that Durin IV is portrayed as a young, passionate dwarf who is proud of his kingdom. He is also very loyal to his wife, Disa, one of the original characters created by Amazon.

In Tolkien’s work, Durin IV is the descendant (and supposed reincarnation) of Durin I. He resembled the first Durin in both manner and appearance. He bore one of the seven Rings of Power given to the different Dwarf-lords, and he may have been ruler of the Dwarven kingdom in Moria during the war against Sauron at the end of the Second Age.

Ar-Pharazôn

From the information available, Pharazôn in the series is portrayed as an advisor to Queen-Regent Míriel, and his arc will potentially document his rise to power.

In Tolkien’s works, Ar-Pharazôn is the last king of Númenor before its fall. He is a prideful man, restless, and also wants wealth and glory. Upon the death of his uncle the king, he forcibly marries the king’s daughter Míriel and usurps the throne. Eventually, he decides to challenge Sauron, subsequently capturing him and bringing him to Númenor. Sauron takes advantage of this, playing on Pharazôn’s distrust of Elves and love of the ways of Man. Sauron eventually convinces Pharazôn to attack Valinor and thus break the Ban of the Valar. The Valar respond by giving their guardianship of the world to Eru, who cuts Valinor off from the mortal world and reshapes Middle-earth. Pharazôn’s fleet is destroyed, and Pharazôn is buried under mounds of dirt in the Caves of the Forgotten.

Míriel

In the Amazon series, Míriel is introduced as the Queen Regent, a woman with a deep love for her homeland, but burdened with heavy responsibility.

In the works of Tolkien, Tar-Míriel is the daughter of Tar-Palantir and the last rightful heir of Númenor. Instead of becoming the ruling Queen, she is forced into marriage by her cousin Ar-Pharazôn, who usurps the throne and gives her the name Ar-Zimraphel. When Pharazôn rebels and Eru destroys Númenor, sinking it into the sea, Míriel attempts to ascend the sacred mountain of Meneltarma but drowns before she can do so.

Isildur

For the series, it is said that Isildur will have a “significant role” in the Amazon series; exactly what parts of his story we will see in the series is unknown, but there are endless possibilities.

In Tolkien’s works, Isildur is the oldest son of Elendil and the older brother of Anárion, born in Númenor. He is descended from the Kings of Númenor through the daughter of an earlier king. Unlike Ar-Pharazôn, Isildur and his kin have remained friendly to the Elves and Valinor, being known as “The Faithful.” When Pharazôn, under the influence of Sauron, wanted to cut down the White Tree that had come from Valinor, Isildur disguises himself and goes to steal fruit from the tree. Although he is discovered and injured by the guards, Isildur manages to steal the fruit. The fruit eventually blossoms and is taken to Middle Earth with the Faithful. When the Faithful reach Middle-earth, Isildur dwells in Minas Ithil in the south. Later, when Sauron captures Minas Ithil, Isildur escapes with his family and sails to find his father Elendil in the North. When the Last Alliance is formed against Sauron, Isildur fights alongside his father and the elf king Gil-galad. When the final battle comes, Isildur uses one of the pieces of his slain father’s sword to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand. Afterward, the Ring’s influence makes Isildur keep the Ring for himself. He eventually meets his death in the early years of the Third Age.

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