Amazon’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Series Adds 20 Cast Members

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series has added 20 new cast members to its large ensemble. In a nod to the show’s commitment to diversity, the new additions hail from five different countries, including New Zealand — where the drama is currently filming — Australia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Lord of the Rings‘ new ensemble stars include Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Maxim Baldry, Ian Blackburn, Kip Chapman, Anthony Crum, Maxine Cunliffe, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Thusitha Jayasundera, Fabian McCallum, Simon Merrells, Geoff Morrell, Peter Mullan, Lloyd Owen, Augustus Prew, Peter Tait, Alex Tarrant, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, and Sara Zwangobani.

“The world that J.R.R. Tolkien created is epic, diverse, and filled with heart,” said showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay in a statement. “These extraordinarily talented performers, hailing from across the globe, represent the culmination of a multi-year search to find brilliant and unique artists to bring that world to life anew. The international cast of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series is more than just an ensemble. It is a family. We are thrilled to welcome each of them to Middle-earth.”

The show’s new cast members join previously-announced stars Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman. Midsommar star Will Poulter was originally attached to the project, but exited in late 2019.

The cast will work alongside esteemed filmmaker J.A. Bayona, who will direct the first two episodes and serves as executive producer, and his creative partner Belén Atienza. Lindsey Weber, Bruce Richmond, Callum Greene, Gennifer Hutchison, Jason Cahill, Justin Doble, and Sharon Tal Yguado will also executive produce.

Amazon’s still-untitled series will serve as a prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Rings. The streamer has yet to announce any specific plotlines or character information, but given that the show has already been picked up for a second season, Amazon seems confident that the epic will resonate with fans.