Amazon Studios remains committed to its five-season vision for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power despite a drop in viewers since the second season launched. The fantasy show based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s works has attracted many fans but also raised questions from loyalists.
While the premiere of season two in late August drew 40 million viewers in its first three episodes, this was lower than the first day total of 25 million for season one. The second season also sees divided reviews from critics and audiences on websites like Rotten Tomatoes. Critics give it an 83% approval rating but audiences rate it lower at 58%. This shows ongoing debate around how true the series stays to Tolkien’s writing.
Despite these issues, Amazon plans to keep creating the epic tale as originally planned. Work on the third season began months ago according to sources, though an official announcement is still coming. Co-creator J.D. Payne said in an interview they are fighting to share Middle-earth with everyone, “when we see that millions are watching and responding positively.” He also jokingly thanked online critics, saying “It wouldn’t be an adventure through Middle-earth without some trolls along the way.”
Some fans want a faster pace as major plot points often wait until season finales. Season one didn’t reveal the titular rings until the last episode, and season two seems to follow a similar plan. As the show moves ahead, it faces balancing devoted Tolkien fans and attracting new viewers. With Amazon’s large investment, the future of this ambitious adaptation remains an important story to watch.
New Rings of Power episodes air weekly on Prime Video until October 3.
