The Rings Of Power Brings Back The Tolkien Character Prime Video Couldn't Afford To Adapt In Season 1

Published Oct 2, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT

Nick Bythrow is a Lead Writer for ScreenRant. He has been writing for the site since September 2022. He graduated from Hampshire College in 2022, where he triple majored in Journalism, Communications, and Media Studies. When he's not writing about TV and movies for ScreenRant and his blog, Frayed Branches, Nick is penning speculative fiction and poetry on Amazon. He lives outside Boston, Massachusetts.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is officially bringing back the one Tolkien character that Prime Video couldn't afford to adapt during season 1. The Rings of Power season 3 is set to begin on November 11, 2026, with a whopping 4-episode premiere. The forthcoming episodes take place several years after the end of The Rings of Power season 2, focusing on the War of the Elves and Sauron from the Second Age. It's expected to explore the early years of Rivendell and the forging of the One Ring at Mount Doom.

But there's also going to be a plethora of new stories for the characters of The Rings of Power, all of whom will be going on their own journeys that have larger importance in the sprawling fantasy story being told. This includes Gandalf finally learning to harness his powers, the people of Númenor being forced to contend with Pharazôn's tyrannical rule, and the Dwarves dealing with the aftermath of the Balrog attack at the end of season 2. But there are just a few of the stories season 3 will be exploring.

Another involves Galadriel, who's served as the central protagonist since the beginning of the show. While much of her journey has been alone or with other Elves, like Elrond, she's also been quietly battling what she believes to have been the death of her husband, Celeborn, prior to the events of the series. This is a departure from Tolkien's original work, where he's very much alive throughout the Second Age. And now, The Rings of Power will finally bring him into the fold in a big way.

The Rings Of Power Couldn't Afford To Adapt Celeborn In Season 1

While Celeborn holds an important role in the history of Middle-earth as Galadriel's husband, The Rings of Power couldn't really afford to have him around during the start of the show. Much of this has to do with Galadriel's characterization when the series begins. She was originally introduced as a somewhat brash warrior whose worldview has grown jaded because of her life experiences. Later in season 1, it's revealed Celeborn's supposed death was a core part of why she became so cold and distant from the world.

It was also important for her to feel this way so she could relate more heavily to Halbrand during their journey together. There appeared to be no bounds to their relationship with one another, something he used to gain her trust in forging the first three Rings of Power. Even when he revealed that he was Sauron, he still attempted to use her view of the world to manipulate her into joining him. If Celeborn had been involved in this stretch of the story, Galadriel's characterization and closeness to Halbrand wouldn't have worked.

Celeborn's Debut In The Rings Of Power Season 3 Adds A Totally New Layer

But, with Celeborn now returned and revealing himself to still be alive, it adds a whole new layer to Galadriel's story. She's likely not the same Galadriel her husband knew years prior, with many of her characteristics being a direct reaction to his supposed death. According to the character's description, he's very devoted to his wife, something that will be a defining characteristic of their relationship during the events of the season. It's a vital development and a new reality for Galadriel to grapple with.

It also makes the fight against Sauron all the more hopeful, now that a core ally of the Elves has seemingly returned from the dead. He'll likely be fighting side-by-side with his wife in the war, even as Sauron forges the One Ring and gains immeasurable power in the process. Although the series hasn't fully unveiled what to expect from Celeborn yet, The Rings of Power season 3 is setting him up to be a vital addition to Galadriel's development.