At the 2026 Comic-Con, Prime Video revealed that Andrew Richardson will join the cast of The Rings of Power as Anarion. The character, who is the brother of Isildur, is set to play a vital role in the upcoming third season.
The expansion of Middle-Earth through Anarion’s lineage
Prime Video is expanding the cast of The Rings of Power by adding Andrew Richardson to play the character Anarion. as the report notes, this character is the son of Elendil and brother to Isildur, providing a new lens through which to view the Second Age.. By focusing on Anarion, the series moves away from a singular focus on Sauron to explore the political complexities of the era.
The inclusion of Anarion in The Rings of Power represents a shift toward exploring the broader political landscape of Middle-Earth. Instead of relying solely on the well-known downfall of Sauron, the production aims to flesh out the transition from the collapse of Númenor to the birth of Gondor.
A five-year jump and the rise of Minas Anor
The third season of The Rings of Power will feature a five-year time jump to show the long-term consequences of the fall of Númenor. According to the report, this jump allows the narrative to showcase Anarion and Isildur establishing the city of Minas Anor, which serves as the first seat of power for the future realm of Gondor.
Anarion’s narratie arc in The Rings of Power is expected to reach a climax during the siege of Barad-dûr... While Tolkien’s appendices mention his death during this event, the Prime Video production intends to dramatize the struggle, providing a more visceral look at the War of the Last Alliance.
Competing with HBO and the Harry Potter saga
Prime Video is positioning The Rings of Power to compete with other high-budget fantasy offerings, including HBO’s Game of Thrones spin-offs and the upcoming Harry Potter adaptation. Industry observers suggest that adding complex, lesser-known figures like Anarion helps the series avoid "legend fatigue" by diversifying the cast.
Uncertainties regarding Tolkien’s original appendices
While the casting of Andrew Richardson has sparked interest,several questions remain regarding the show's direction. It is currently unclear how much creative liberty the Prime Video development team will take with the established Tolkien canon to facilitate this new narrative arc. Furthermore,the report does not specify how the five-year jump will affect the pacing of the One Ring's forging storyline.
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