With the upcoming release of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime Video, it's high time that eager viewers brush up on some of the lore that supports this exciting new series. Luckily, the folks behind the show itself have fans covered on that front, at least to an extent.
Amazon Prime has just released a short video detailing the Island Kingdom of Númenor, which is set to see its screen debut in the Lord of the Rings series. Diehard fans of J.R.R. Tolkien are likely already familiar with the place and its history, but those who only saw Peter Jackson's beloved film trilogy might not recognize the name. Well, it turns out this fantastical metropolis has a lot of stories to tell, and it'll look good while doing it.
The video, posted on Twitter by the official Lord of the Rings on Prime account, introduces Númenor with a sweeping shot of the city. This feels reminiscent of similar captivating shots seen in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, which should be enough to catch the eyes of many fans. Cynthia Addai-Robinson, who plays Queen Regent Míriel, then describes the kingdom as "this island in the middle of the ocean; society at the height of its power." Lloyd Owen (Elendil) then adds, "to be able to go back and find Númenor at its peak is extraordinary."
Ema Horvath, the actress behind Eärien in The Rings of Power, then offers a brief explanation of what sort of society calls Númenor home. "It's a very nautical society," she says. "There's been a rejection of old Elvish magic and ways." Trystan Gravelle (Pharazôn) continues from there, saying, "we see half the island wanting to cling on to the connection that they have with Elvish culture. The other half want to go their separate ways, but it's at a tipping point."
Númenor (which is pronounced with a rolling "r," for those concerned with authenticity) is a significant part of the Lord of the Rings lore and backstory, earning several mentions and references throughout the books and movies. Many will recall how Aragorn (played by Viggo Mortensen in the movies) is revealed to be a descendent of Númenor's people, which explains his long lifespan. This makes sense, given its ties to the Elves.
If The Rings of Power intends to follow the lore written out by Tolkien closely, then the kingdom is in for a rough go of it. From massive geographical shifts to the war with Sauron himself, it seems pretty clear that Númenor will get plenty of screen time when the series finally premieres.
Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will premiere on September 2nd, 2022, on Amazon Prime Video.