New Hobbit Ancestors Join The Rings of Power Season 2!
You thought we had seen it all, when it comes to "The Rings of Power," but think again. Get ready to meet the new characters joining the Second Age: the Stoors! You may not know their story in Middle-earth yet, because it's set in the time long before Bilbo and Frodo ever ventured out, but Amazon Prime has been expanding the history of the "Hobbit-like" folks.
Amazon Prime has dropped a whole bunch of new images featuring this Stoor clan, showing a really distinct vibe. In the past, we only had those lovely Harfoots to make our hearts melt! They lived a sweet, pastoral lifestyle, all the way in the Shire, but Amazon is making sure the "Lord of the Rings" saga feels extra diverse, taking things outside that comfortable home setting. This new clan - the Stoors, live way out in Rhûn, a more harsh region in the story.
Why Those Hobbit Ancestors Are Headed To Rhûn
These new characters add a little something extra to "The Rings of Power," bringing the story more in line with J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe. Tolkien put those original Hobbit ancestors, the Stoors, Harfoots, and Fallohides, smack-dab in the center of the Shire! And now we get to see where they were before all that lovely Shire living, way before those characters get to have any "tea and hobbit holes" fun. In the book, the Stoors live in a region with tons of rivers and waterways – they practically love their rivers.
However, “The Rings of Power” writers have changed it up a bit. The show has the Stoors living in the dry, harsh terrain of Rhûn. Maybe they got thirsty enough to want to venture off, searching for the right place to put down roots. It all ties back to our favorite, super-mysterious “Stranger,” that Nori went off with to find out who he was. These new characters could end up holding the key to unlocking a whole bunch of answers to that epic mystery. And I have a hunch there is a big connection between those Stoors, the "Stranger," and all of the Hobbit history!
Tolkien History is Changing? Get Ready to Go Beyond
A big question that comes to mind is "Where did those Hobbits go?". This change in their origin is setting up a pretty major journey for the show. Maybe those "Stranger" and Nori adventures will become a journey back to Middle-earth, because what’s more appealing to a Hobbit-like folk than discovering those places where they can live a great, relaxed, pastoral lifestyle. That is the life those Hobbits are destined to live in the Shire, it is in their roots, they’re wired to be those charming folks.
But here’s the part that really got my head buzzing! Those Stoors haven’t left Rhûn yet in the story. There’s gonna be a reason why they choose to leave that desert life and move on. And, let’s face it, the only place in "The Rings of Power" where a large group of "Hobbit" folks will be safe is Middle-earth!
Who Are Those New Characters In "The Rings of Power" Season 2?
Let's dive into the specifics of those new faces in the "Lord of the Rings" world: Tanya Moodie is set to play Gundabel, a powerful Stoor leader, while Gavi Singh Chera will play Merimac, another Stoor who’s been chilling in Rhûn. Both actors share a common love for those characters and that beautiful “Middle-earth” setting. They have expressed the incredible time spent getting ready for the role - and we just have to love the details. And you’ll probably have the same “ahh, that makes so much sense” reaction, as they speak about that gorgeous mural, designed for the production!
These new Stoors have a story about where their roots run deep, why they left that hot desert, and what made them travel, which can all point to what it means for them to live as "The Hobbit ancestors." But here’s a thought – maybe there will be an appearance of Gollum, after all! He had a pretty great time making it through those rough times! It is hard to say, and fans can expect to hear about the Stoors as "The Rings of Power" continues with the first three episodes of Season 2 hitting Amazon Prime on August 29!
