In The Rings of Power‘s first season, the Stranger arrived from the sky and crashed into Middle-earth, surrounded by a literal ring of fire. From there, the evidence only got stronger that he was really one of The Lord of the Rings‘ most iconic characters. The show’s second season confirmed it when the Stranger learned his name is Gandalf. Now that both he and viewers know for sure who Daniel Weyman is playing, he can truly embrace his character’s real identity. And that’s exactly what he does in a new image from the show’s third season. The Rings of Power first-look image is finally giving us the “full Gandalf.”
The Rings of Power Season 3 Is Embracing Gandalf But Also Exploring a New Side to Him
Empire shared its latest look at the upcoming season of Prime Video’s Middle-earth series. There’s no question who we see. This The Rings of Power season three first-look image features Weyman with Gandalf’s iconic staff and hat. It’s a fitting look for what awaits him in the upcoming season. The actor told the magazine that when he returned to the show, co-showrunners J.D Payne and Patrick McKay told him it was time to fully embrace being the legendary figure. According to Weyman, the pair said, “We want to see that Gandalf has arrived. We want to see him as the wizard we all love from Tolkien’s writings.” That freedom allowed Weyman to find a “new side to” Gandalf in The Rings of Power season three, one that he says “we all hopefully recognise” via Gandalf’s signature “mischief, the twinkle in his eye.”
There’s More to Gandalf Than Just Looking Like a Wizard
Weyman says that the new look we see in this The Rings of Power first-look image will also come with new responsibilities for Gandalf. His Gandalf will be learning exactly what being a wizard of Middle-earth entails and the powers he has up his sleeve.
He’ll need to learn them quickly. The “full Gandalf” isn’t the only classic element from The Lord of the Rings Prime Video viewers will see in season three. The Rings of Power‘s next outing will also show Sauron forging the One Ring. It won’t be destroyed for thousands of years. And Gandalf, in a different colored hat with a different staff, will be there when he does, but he has a long way to go before he gets there.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three will release on November 11, 2026.