The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 continues to unravel the mysteries of Middle-earth, but it also introduces new ones. One of the most intriguing questions lingering in viewers’ minds is the identity of the mysterious Dark Wizard, played by Ciarán Hinds. His menacing presence and apparent allegiance to Sauron have led many fans to speculate that he could be Saruman, the iconic wizard portrayed by Christopher Lee in Peter Jackson’s films. However, the showrunners, Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, have shut down that theory.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, McKay stated that “it would be highly, highly, highly improbable that this could be Saruman,” with Payne adding “If not impossible.” McKay further explained, “The Dark Wizard has an important role to play in the doings of Middle-earth, and in the development of our wizard, who’s now coming into his own. The Dark Wizard’s fate is not decided and his name is not out there yet, but it would almost defy the laws of gravity and physics for it to be Saruman.”
This revelation comes as a relief to many Tolkien purists. According to Tolkien’s original canon, Saruman doesn’t arrive in Middle-earth as a wizard until the Third Age, centuries after The Rings of Power is set. While the series subverted expectations by revealing The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) as Gandalf, the showrunners seem determined to maintain the integrity of Tolkien’s established timeline. Making Saruman the Dark Wizard would contradict Tolkien’s carefully constructed world and diminish the dramatic impact of his betrayal in The Fellowship of the Ring.
So, who is the Dark Wizard? The showrunners have confirmed that he is not Saruman, leaving a few canonical options, including the mysterious Blue Wizards, about whom Tolkien provided limited information. As viewers anxiously await the next season, they can rest assured that the Dark Wizard’s true identity will be a compelling revelation, adding another layer to the rich tapestry of Middle-earth lore. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is streaming now on Prime Video, so you can delve deeper into the mysteries of this captivating series.
