As Middle Earth returns to our streaming screens later this month, we interview the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to get a taste of what to expect for Season 2.

When The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debuted in 2022, it surprised fans with how much it took swings in the story it added to the effective prequel of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. In condensing hundreds of years of Second Age history to make for a more manageable story, the series delves into the dynamics within and between the Elves and Dwarves, such as in showing a friendship between Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Prince Durin IV (Owain Arthur), the latter’s relationship with his wife Princess Disa (Sophia Nomvete) and his father King Durin III (Peter Mullan), the forging of the Rings of Power by Lord Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) and High King Gil-Galad (Benjamin Walker), the political dynamics of Númenor with Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) and Captain Elendil (Lloyd Owen), a mysterious stranger (Daniel Weyman) revealed to be an Istari now traveling with Harfoots Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards), understanding more of the Orcs’ society through the mysterious Adar (Sam Hazeldine), who fights with Elven warrior Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) and, perhaps most intriguingly, a dynamic between Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and the Dark Lord Sauron himself (Charlie Vickers), Season 2 already promises to expand much more upon these various dynamics, as evidenced in its more recent trailer.

In anticipation of the series’ return, we interviewed Benjamin Walker, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charlie Vickers, Charles Edwards, Morfydd Clark, Sam Hazeldine, Daniel Weyman, Markella Kavenagh, and Megan Richards this past weekend. With so much to discuss with so many characters, our enriching discussions whet our appetites further for what is sure to be a thrilling sophomore outing. You can check out our interviews below.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will start streaming August 29.