‘Fingers crossed’: The Rings of Power stars don’t know if Nori and The Stranger’s ‘bittersweet’ farewell is forever – but they hope it isn’t
Major spoilers follow The rings of power last episode of season 2.
The rings of power Stars Daniel Weyman and Markella Kavenagh aren’t sure if The Stranger and Nori will cross paths again on the hit Amazon show, but they sure hope so.
For The rings of power As the final episode of season 2 was released today (October 3), I sat down with the couple – in separate interviews – to discuss their emotional farewell in the series’ latest episode. And while both actors don’t know if there will be room for a reunion in the coming seasons, they are certainly trying to express themselves in any way they can.
“I don’t feel like (a reunion),” Weyman told me. “But when I hear you say that, it really scares me. I mean, I’ve filmed pretty much all my scenes with Markella, and often filmed things with Megan (Richards, who plays Poppy), so I have a strong relationship with them. So it’s pretty scary to think that I might never work with them again. I’ll have to go to the showrunners and see what I can do!
“I really hope so,” Kavenagh added when I asked her the same question. “It’s hard to imagine a world where I’m not starring opposite Daniel. It’s bittersweet (that they’re parting ways), but hopefully there’s a way they can reunite.”
For parts of the Prime Video show’s fanbase, The Stranger – I really need to learn to call him Gandalf, because that’s who Weyman is actually playing – and Nori’s separation could be a satisfying development. After all, some viewers have grown tired of the Harfoots’ storyline and, despite the mystery surrounding The Stranger’s true identity, say Nori, Poppy, and the other proto-Hobbits haven’t brought anything of value to one of Prime Video’s top shows.
However, that’s not how Weyman and Kavenagh viewed Gandalf and Nori’s Middle-earth adventures in the Amazon series. Lord of the rings prequel series. Indeed, the pair believe that each character has enriched the other, and that the lessons and life experiences they have learned (and shared) along the way have helped shape the individuals they will become. The rings of power season 3, which co-creators JD Payne and Patrick McKay are currently “working on”, and beyond.
“For now, it’s the right choice for both of them,” Kavenagh added. “I think they have to go on their own journey and really find their purpose, but in my mind I think Nori knows or feels that she will see him again, albeit not where or when.”
“I think these characters have a clear and strong bond,” Weyman also mused. “I suppose understanding friendship, love, honesty, integrity, being able to make mistakes and be forgiven, learning, becoming self-aware and wanting to be a better version of yourself, all of these things come from his interaction with the world. Harfoots. Wherever he goes, that bond is strong and is like an elastic band that connects them, wherever they are in the universe. That will be one of his touchstones by which he will measure his future behavior, whatever he faces against.”
Want more exclusive coverage on The Lord of the Rings‘TV adaptation? Read my article breaking it down The rings of power the end of season 2 and why Weyman is “still quite shocked” when he learns he played Gandalf. Once you’re done with those pieces, read excerpts from my chats with other cast members of the high fantasy series below.