Elros Explained: Aragorn's Ancestor And His Rings Of Power Season 3 Role

Published Nov 6, 2026, 7:00 PM EST

Angel Shaw is a Lead Writer and Critic on ScreenRant's TV team, covering new-release and classic TV shows across all major streaming platforms. She has been a writer with ScreenRant since 2022 and specializes in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy. 

Angel holds a bachelor's degree in language interpreting and is passionate about all things culture and communication—especially in how it relates to popular media throughout history (from Shakespeare to Friends to Game of Thrones).

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 is preparing to introduce the character of Elros in the flesh. This is a character of great significance in Tolkien's legendarium, though the upcoming installment in the Prime Video fantasy series will be Elros' first real appearance on screen. This is because Elros died several thousand years before, not just in The Lord of the Rings, but in the events of Rings of Power as well.

The part of Elros will be played by Robert Aramayo in Rings of Power. This name should sound perfectly familiar, since he is already a primary member of the show's cast. Aramayo plays Elrond, and season 3 will see him double up on characters. This is being done for very good reason, since Elros is none other than Elrond's twin brother.

Elros and Elrond were born about 500 years into the First Age of Middle-earth to the rather legendary couple Eärendil and Elwing. This husband and wife proved their bravery on a perilous adventure to retrieve a Silmaril and bring it to the Valar, hoping desperately that these demigods would lend the Elves and Men a hand in the fight against Morgoth. The Valar delivered and additionally rewarded Eärendil and Elwing's kin generously.

Among other key gifts, Elros was given the island kingdom of Númenor to rule as king. This makes him an ancestor not only of Isildur and Elendil, but also of The Lord of the Rings' Aragorn. Precisely how this all works is complicated, but Rings of Power season 3 is bound to dig into the details.

Is Elros A Man Or An Elf?

Elros is Elrond's twin brother, so you would be right to assume he is an elf. However, he is also the direct ancestor of the great Kings of Gondor, including, as we know, Elendil, Isildur, and Aragorn. This means you would also be right to think that Elros is a man. In truth, the answers "both" and "neither" are true, depending on the point in Elros' life.

Like Elrond, Elros was born an elf. However, when Eärendil and Elwing were rewarded by the Valar, they were offered the opportunity to become mortals, if they so chose. Both figures were considered Half-Elven, as they were born of a union between Elves and Men. However, the Half-Elven were considered immortal by default and were therefore omitted from the Gift of Men—AKA, death. The Valar made an exception for this special pair and their entire line, if they wanted it.

Elrond chose to remain an immortal elf. Elros, however, chose mortality. In Númenor, he ruled over the Men of the West, the Dúnedain​​​​​, who lived longer than the Men of Middle-earth, but all still eventually died. Elros himself, who ruled under the name Tar-Minyatur, sat on the throne for over 400 years before passing away. Meanwhile, his immortal twin brother lived on.

What Elros’ Presence Will Mean For Rings Of Power Season 3

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We saw a picture of Elros in Númenor in The Rings of Power season 1. He was depicted in a mural standing alongside Elrond, though almost mirrored. Galadriel mentions that she knew Elros and further references her ongoing friendship with Elrond, but that was about the most of it. Now, it's been confirmed that Elros will appear on screen in the upcoming season 3 of Rings of Power.

Given Elros' mortality and the year of his death, we know this character can't appear in "real time" in Rings of Power season 3. Instead, Elros will likely appear in flashback scenes. We may see his younger years as an elf with Elrond. Or, we could be granted the opportunity to see Elros choose to become mortal and, therefore, take the throne on Númenor. One way or another, however, Elros' character will be key in revealing the ironic starting point for the Men of Númenor. They didn't always hate Elves, since they were once their kin.

Aragorn’s Connection To Elros Makes His Lord Of The Rings Role Even More Powerful

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Elros's appearance in Rings of Power will be meaningful for a variety of reasons. As previously mentioned, it will be intriguing to see the on-screen connection between the birth of Númenor and its rulers and the vile prejudice inspired by Pharazôn all those centuries later. Additionally, this story will provide further context to Arwen's choice to become mortal in The Lord of the Rings, since this was only possible because of the gift the Valar granted her grandparents, Eärendil and Elwing. Finally, Elros' presence will officially bring Aragorn back into play.

Rearrange the movies into the correct US release order.

Aragorn was an absolutely singular character in The Lord of the Rings. He might not have been the Ring-bearer, but he was still the key to Middle-earth's future. What's truly thrilling about this character is that, according to canon, Sauron greatly feared Aragorn. It wasn't that he thought the mortal man could hurt him on his own. Rather, he expected Aragorn to take control of the One Ring himself and use it against him. Aragorn wasn't like Isildur, however. He was more like Elros.

Like his ancestor, Aragorn understood the value of mortality. He didn't seek excessive power but instead aimed to earn the right to care for and provide for his people. Aragorn was of Elros' blood, was raised by Elrond, and was a man whom Arwen chose mortality for. Bringing Elros into Rings of Power will be an excellent way to remind us of just how poetically balanced a character this is.