The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay have addressed theories that the Dark Wizard is Saruman, offering a definitive answer to the idea. The Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds) was first introduced as an antagonist when the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), Nori (Markella Kavenaugh), and Poppy (Megan Richards) first traveled into Rhûn. The end of The Rings of Power season 2 saw him call the Stranger an “old friend,” with his long beard and staff leading some to believe the evil magician is actually Saruman the White.

Speaking with Vanity Fair, Payne and McKay confirmed the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power is not Saruman. The duo explain how Middle-earth’s history wouldn’t account for his arrival just yet, meaning this new wizard is someone that hasn’t been met before. The showrunners do explain that the Stranger, revealed to be Gandalf, will have to fight him at some point. They also make mention of the other wizards in J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, Radagast the Brown and the two Blue Wizards, but don’t elaborate on any connections. Check out what Payne and McKay had to say below:

Patrick McKay: No, no, I’ll say something on the record. Given the history of Middle-earth, it would be highly, highly, highly improbable that this could be Saruman.

J.D. Payne: If not impossible.

Patrick McKay: The Dark Wizard has an important role to play in the doings of Middle-earth, and in the development of our wizard, who’s now coming into his own. Tom Bombadil has told him, “You’re destined to face him. And then destined to face Sauron.” So the Dark Wizard’s fate is not decided and his name is not out there yet, but it would almost defy the laws of gravity and physics for it to be Saruman.

J.D. Payne: There’s Radagast the Brown and then there’s two blue wizards—and that’s all we’ll say.

What The Dark Wizard Not Being Saruman Means For The Rings Of Power

The Wizard’s Identity Is Still A Mystery

The Dark Wizard was last seen trying to make Gandalf his ally, before deciding to destroy the Stoors’ home and leave to parts unknown. While the good Istar was able to save everyone, who began a journey toward Middle-earth now that their home was gone, the antagonistic magician’s identity was never elaborated upon. However, he clearly knew who the Stranger was, indicating the Rings of Power characters share a past that the heroic magic-user can’t remember. This sets the stage for an inevitable confrontation in the future.

Given the potential connection between the Dark Wizard and Gandalf, it seems he’s likely one of the Blue Wizards mentioned by Tolkien but never fully explored in his works. This would make sense given Radagast’s passive nature in Middle-earth canon, alongside the leeway McKay and Payne would have in developing Alatar or Pallandro in their own way. Another possibility is that he’s a new character entirely, expanding on the lore of Wizards by making him a unique force within Rhûn, much like Adar was for Mordor.

Our Take On The Dark Wizard Not Being Saruman

It Keeps The Rings Of Power From Being Too Predictable

While the Stranger’s identity as Gandalf was obvious as early as season 1, the Dark Wizard not being Saruman makes his identity almost unpredictable, especially given what little is known about him. It seems that answers won’t be arriving until The Rings of Power season 3 at the earliest, potentially opening up a whole new world surrounding Wizards and their role in Tolkien’s lore. With a new conflict now set up between the two magic-users, answers about his identity are sure to be on the horizon soon.

The Rings of Power is planned to last through season 5.