Lord of the Rings series probably starts season 2 with a shock exit – and thus fulfills its own bitter prophecy

Darker, more action-packed, dirtier: The second season of the fantasy series The Rings of Power wants to do a lot differently than the first eight episodes of the streaming excursion to Middle Earth. Now THR has already confirmed the exit of a main character, pointing to a shocking season start on August 28, 2024 there.

Lord of the Rings series: Bronwyn actress Nazanin Boniadi will no longer be in season 2

Nazanin Boniadi played in the first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Bronwyn a human healer in the south of Middle Earth. As a single mother, she took care of her son Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) and had a secret Love affair with Elf Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova). It has now been announced that the Iranian-born British actress has left Amazon’s fantasy series before season 2. She explains her departure on Instagram as follows:

I have the Choice made not to return to Season 2 of The Rings of Power. This has nothing to do with my subsequent decision to prioritize my human rights activism. Throughout my career, I have always valued the values ​​of honesty, empathy and integrity above all else. My character Bronwyn has embraced the same Ideals for a better world which is why I felt so deeply connected to it. I am excited to share my next projects with you soon.

The Lord of the Rings star does not reveal what exactly prompted her to leave the series. It remains unclear whether the racist hostility after season 1 played a role. In September 2022, Nazanin Boniadi took a “step back from acting” to devote her full focus to the women’s and freedom movement in Iran. Most recently, however, she made another film: A Mosquito in the Ear.

In the penultimate episode of the first Lord of the Rings season, Theo, Arondir and Bronwyn were still safe and sound after the Mordor catastrophe and met Galadriel (Morfydd Clark). However, they were missing from the season finale. So how will the Amazon series bridge the gap and say goodbye to Nazanin Boniadi from the fantasy adventure?

Cursed Love: What the Lord of the Rings loss means for the start of Season 2

The first Lord of the Rings teaser trailer, which was released in mid-May, caused speculation among fans: While Arondir and Theo appeared in it, Bronwyn was conspicuous by her absence. A telling making-of video further fuelled the fear of a character death: It showed a Funeral pyre and Ismael Cruz Córdova as a mourning elf. If we put two and two together, Nazanin Boniadi’s departure
Bronwyn’s sudden death to be almost inevitable.

In a way, The Rings of Power fulfills a dark Middle Earth rule that was established by the original author, JRR Tolkien himself. Two years ago, an elf at Arondir’s side even mentioned it in Season 1: Human-Elf love relationships are not under a good star.

Only three such couples who were granted short-term happiness can be found in the fantasy author’s annals: Beren and Lúthien, Tuor and Idril, and Aragorn and Arwen. The newly invented characters Bronwyn and Arondir were perhaps never mentioned because their tragic relationship was too short to be included in the story.

The big question of how Bronwyn will leave the series can of course only be answered by the Lord of the Rings series itself on August 28th on Prime Video *. Perhaps even the villain Sauron (Charlie Vickers) has a hand in it, as he continues his rise in season 2.

The Rings of Power: Podcast on the Lord of the Rings series with a preview of Season 2

In the season finale, Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power solved the biggest mysteries of season 1. We discuss the revelations and take a look ahead at what promises the series is already making for season 2.

Whether hidden Lord of the Rings references or promised new characters joining Galadriel and Sauron: We take a close look at the end of the season and talk about the best and worst moments alike.

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