‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ review: Swaggering new epic assures that Tolkien is in safe hands

First things first; at its very best, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a visual spectacle like no other television offering so far leaving you to constantly wonder just how much Prime Video have invested in this new Tolkienian saga. There’s High King Gil-galad and Elrond who rubbish Galadriel’s theories; the good-natured dwarf prince Durin IV and his wife Disa huddled in the Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm; human healer Bronwyn and the Elf Arondir who are caught in a forbidden romance; and Celebrimbor, the Elven smith who forges the Rings of Power. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Creators: John D. Payne and Patrick McKay Cast: Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani No. of episodes: 8 Storyline: Set in Middle-earth’s Second Age, several beloved characters come together against all odds and across great distances to guard against the feared reemergence of evil But it is the Harfoots — ancestors to the Hobbits and similar to them in stature and behaviour — who make the most impact, and leaves one wondering if we are going to witness a similar arc with Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow akin to Frodo and Sam’s quest to reach Mount Doom. There’s also much to admire about the casting choices; many people of colour appear across the fictional races, acclaimed veteran stars such as Lenny Henry and Lloyd Owen are sure to be scene-stealers, and all the actors seem like they “belong” to the universe of Middle-earth, like J.D Payne says.