The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is finally here and already fans are left questioning and theorizing about new characters – especially The Stranger many think is Gandalf.
The prequel to the iconic Tolkien story-inspired movies has landed on Prime Video with episodes one and two available to watch. But where many thought a prequel series would answer any burning questions, fans have been left with even more.
**WARNING: Contains spoilers for Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power**
Rings of Power The Stranger
So many characters were introduced in the first two episodes however, one that is surely going to be poignant in the series was The Stranger, who arrived at the end of episode one.
Towards the end of episode one Nori (Markella Kavenagh), a Harfoot Hobbit, notices a meteor landing nearby and heads off to investigate and soon notices it’s not your average meteor falling from the sky – it’s actually a tall, thin, bearded man they call The Stranger.
In episode two Nori and Poppy (Megan Richards), another Hobbit, make several attempts to move The Stranger to a safer place and communicate with him. But, The Stranger can only speak a different language they don’t understand and absolutely no one knows who he is.
Is The Stranger in Rings of Power Gandalf?
However, fans are now theorizing the new character might actually be the iconic wizard – formerly played by Sir Ian McKellen in the LOTR and The Hobbit trilogies – but much younger.
Besides the obvious – the fact The Stranger looks like he could be a young Gandalf with his beard and his future attachment to Hobbits could stem from their kindness upon his arrival – fans have come up with some convincing theories why this new character could be Gandalf.
One fan pointed out Gandalf was born through fire – according to Tolkien lore the wizard first appeared in Middle-earth in the Third Age and he was known by another name: Olórin – this could’ve been because of the language barrier shown in the series. Prior to appearing as a human-like wizard in the Third Age, Gandalf was a Maia spirit who wielded the use of fire in previous ages, backing up the theory.
Although, some fans think the character might not be Gandalf, the OG LOTR foe, Sauron.
The series starts in the Second Age after Sauron’s master Morgoth has been defeated and he’s gone into hiding. In this age, Sauron is able to change his form – which is why he is able to get others to trust him when making the rings later on – so some fans think we could be seeing Sauron.
Until the series reveals more it seems The Stranger’s true identity will be a secret for now – one thing’s for sure, people are gripped.