‘Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power’ season 3 unveils first trailer, new cast

“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has officially unveiled its first teaser trailer for the third season alongside a slate of new cast, including a surprise voice role for Simon Pegg.

During the series’ panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday (US time) held at the convention’s Hall H, Prime Video offered a first glimpse at the series’ season 3, which takes on a darker tone as Sauron’s campaign to forge the One Ring continues.

The footage shows Middle-earth descending further into war, with kingdoms forced into uneasy alliances as the Dark Lord seeks control over all its realms.

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The presentation featured showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay alongside cast members Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Owain Arthur, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charlie Vickers, Daniel Weyman, and newcomer Jamie Campbell Bower. Benjamin Walker, who portrays High King Gil-galad, moderated the discussion.

The panel also introduced new faces joining the fantasy series. Eddie Marsan will portray Thrain, the older brother of King Durin IV, while Andrew Richardson has been cast as Anárion, the younger son of Elendil and brother of Isildur. Adam Young will play Marnûkh, a mysterious Orc.

One of the event’s biggest surprises came during a behind-the-scenes featurette focused on the creatures appearing in the upcoming season. It revealed that the fiery Balrog will speak for the first time in the series, with Pegg providing its voice.

More than 6,500 fans at Hall H were also treated to a live stunt as four armored Nazgnagôl made a surprise entrance during the panel. The newly introduced ring-servants of Sauron represent an earlier Second Age incarnation of the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths, from “The Lord of the Rings.”

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Season 3 takes place five years after the fall of Eregion, with Sauron’s armies advancing across Middle-earth. As the Dark Lord works within Barad-dûr to complete the One Ring, the remaining free people—including Elves, Dwarves, Men and Wizards—must unite to prevent his total domination.

The first four episodes of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” season 3 will premiere on Nov. 11. Episodes five and six will stream on Nov. 18, followed by the final two episodes on Nov. 25.

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The first two seasons of the fantasy series are currently available for streaming on Prime Video. /edv