Having abandoned his Halbrand form, Sauron is now fully unleashed. He does not yet have a physical fortress (Barad-dûr is not built), but he travels to Mordor—which was "created" when the Southlands collapsed into a volcanic wasteland by Adar’s key. Season 2 will show Sauron reclaiming command over the Orcs from Adar, leading to a civil war within the forces of darkness.

For long-time Tolkien fans, this is the Second Age as you have never seen it—brutal, tragic, and operatic. For newcomers, it’s a chance to watch how Middle-earth broke before it was saved.

Season 2 was shot back-to-back with Season 1 in the United Kingdom (primarily Bray Studios) and on location in the Canary Islands, Spain, ensuring a shorter wait between seasons. To understand Season 2, one must revisit the seismic reveal of the Season 1 finale. In a masterful twist (for non-book readers), the seemingly friendly Halbrand was revealed to be Sauron . After manipulating Celebrimbor and the Elves of Eregion, Sauron, in his fair form "Annatar" (Lord of Gifts), oversaw the forging of the three Elven rings: Narya, Nenya, and Vilya.