'The Rings of Power' season 3 set for earlier 2026 release

Prime Video confirms 'The Rings of Power' season 3 will arrive in 2026, earlier than expected rumours suggested

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 is now expected to premiere later in 2026, contradicting earlier reports that suggested a 2027 release window.

According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, the next instalment of the Prime Video fantasy series is arriving sooner than anticipated. The show remains one of Amazon’s biggest streaming successes, with approximately 170 million viewers worldwide and a significant impact on Prime membership growth.

Season 3 will introduce a major time jump, moving several years ahead of the events of season 2. The storyline will centre on the War of the Elves and Sauron, a pivotal conflict in Middle-earth’s history. The narrative follows Sauron’s efforts to forge the One Ring, a decisive move in his plan to dominate Middle-earth.

The series last aired in October 2024, marking a two-year gap between seasons. The upcoming storyline takes place before the War of the Last Alliance, previously depicted in the prologue of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.

Returning cast members include Charlie Vickers as Sauron, Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, and Robert Aramayo as Elrond. New additions to the cast include Jamie Campbell Bower and Eddie Marsan, alongside Andrew Richardson, Zubin Varla and Adam Young.

The series was officially renewed in February 2025, with production beginning shortly after at Shepperton Studios in the UK. Showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay continue to lead the project, alongside executive producers Lindsey Weber, Justin Doble, Kate Hazell and Charlotte Brandstrom.