The curtain has lifted on the much-speculated identity of ‘The Stranger’ in Prime Video’s epic fantasy series, The Rings of Power. In the crescendo that was the Season 2 finale, audiences were finally clued into the fact that the enigmatic Stranger is none other than Gandalf, the iconic wizard from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The revelation is part of the ongoing journey series creators Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne have embarked upon to expand Tolkien’s universe creatively. But the road to Gandalf was not a straight one, as other potential identities were considered for this mysterious character before settling.
The Character’s Journey and Revelation
Upon his dramatic arrival in Middle-earth via a meteor, the Stranger immediately sparked curiosity among fans. Portrayed by Daniel Weyman, the character’s backstory remained shrouded in secrecy throughout the series until the pivotal Season 2 finale. Here, he battles a dark wizard and claims a staff that further solidifies his standing. As a little hint to audiences who were likely perspiring with anticipation, he muses, “Gandalf… That’s what they’re going to call me, isn’t it?”
According to McKay and Payne, the decision to reveal the Stranger as Gandalf was not made in haste. The creators explored whether he could be others, like Saruman or the Blue Wizards, before deciding these options didn’t quite fit the narrative puzzle they were piecing together. Eventually, by the end of Season 1, the compass pointed firmly to Gandalf. In a nod to Tolkien’s lore, Payne sheds light on Gandalf’s origins with details from "Volume 12"—noting that Olórin, Gandalf’s name in the ancient land of Valinor, had indeed ventured into Middle-earth before the Third Age.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting a Narrative
The revelation of Gandalf as the Stranger was both a nod to and a creative divergence from Tolkien’s massive lore. Patrick McKay emphasizes that creating The Rings of Power is a dual journey of discovery for characters and creators alike. Intent on crafting a rich origin story, the creators sought to explore the transformation of a wizard coming to terms with his identity and destiny.
Meanwhile, actor Daniel Weyman lent gravitas to the role of the Stranger, a performance that undoubtedly kept audiences suspended on a fine wire of speculation and intrigue—a significant feat given the beloved status of Gandalf in popular culture. The writers aimed to align the mysterious newcomer’s narrative trajectory with the iconic wizard audiences know and love, making it clear that moments like the character saying, "When in doubt… always follow your nose," were subtle yet crucial breadcrumbs leading to the grand reveal.
Closing Credits
In unveiling the Stranger as Gandalf, The Rings of Power does more than merely string together visual spectacle and Tolkien’s lore: it continues to carve out its niche in the fantasy genre by intertwining familiar threads with new ones. Now that this part of the mystery is solved, fans are left to ponder what’s next in store for their favorite traveler of Middle-earth. What future adventures await in Middle-earth? The speculation wheel is about to turn again, but for now, all eyes are on the horizon for any updates regarding Season 3’s developments—or perhaps a new cast addition to obsessively theorize about.
