How Rings Of Power's Shocking Death Will Impact Season 3

Published Jul 25, 2026, 9:31 PM EDT The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will begin on an emotional note. Season 2 ended with King Durin III (Peter Mullan) sacrificing himself while confronting the Barlog beneath Khazad-dûm. Although the king briefly overcame the corrupting influence of his Ring and reconciled with his son, his death left the Dwarven kingdom without a ruler. Season 3’s five-year time jump will reintroduce Owain Arthur’s Durin after he has unexpectedly ascended to the throne. In an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan, Arthur explained that Durin begins season 3 grieving his father while struggling with his new responsibilities. The king also possesses the Seven Rings made for the Dwarves, which he has chosen to hide from everyone—including his wife, Disa (Sophia Nomvete)—after witnessing how one corrupted his father: Well, prior to that, a big thing happened in Khazad-dûm. Balrog killed my father, the bugger. So I am now without a father. I’m without a king. I’ve been promoted, albeit too soon, to being a king and looking out for everyone in Khazad-dûm. But also, I’ve got seven rings in my possession. I’ve kind of figured out they’re not a good thing at the moment. So I’m hiding them from everyone, even Disa, because I just don’t trust them because of what they did to my strong-headed father. It corrupted him. Durin will also face pressure from Drawf-lords searching for the Rings. Meanwhile, his brother, Thráin (Eddie Marsan), brings Durin’s only remaining close relative back to Khazad-dûm: He starts in a very difficult place. Some might say, between a rock and a hard place. But there’s some dwarf lords that come hunting for the rings. But also on top of that, my brother comes to the mountain as well, and him being the only family I have left, you know, it’s my brother, it’s my big brother. Arthur applauded the new additions to the Khazad-dûm cast, including Marsan and the young actors playing Durin and Disa’s children. Season 3 of Rings of Power may have left Durin as king, but his father's death has left him with more challenges. He now has to protect Khazad-dûm while concealing seven dangerous objects that other warf-lords want for themselves. His decision to hide the Rings from Disa could also strain their marriage, particularly after they worked together to oppose King Durin III’s increasingly destructive behavior. Thráin is his older brother and the only remaining relative. The renewed focus on Durin’s family also promises “loads of drama,” according to Arthur. Durin’s storyline demonstrates how significantly the five-year time jump will reset the characters’ circumstances. He'll be in a dramatically different position from the prince last seen mourning his father, as he has to deal with the responsibility for his family, his kingdom, and the Seven Rings. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 premieres November 11 on Prime Video. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 7/10 Release Date September 1, 2022 Network Amazon Prime Video Showrunner John D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Louise Hooper, Charlotte Brändström, Wayne Yip Directors J.A. Bayona, Sanaa Hamri Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.