The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been utilizing mysteries as a plot device since season 1, and now the Dark Wizard remains its biggest enigma, with one identity theory making The Hobbit darker. With Rings of Power season 1 focusing on which character is Sauron and season 2 deliberating on the Stranger’s identity, it will be up to season 3 to finally confirm who the Dark Wizard is. Season 2 teases a few different identities for the Dark Wizard, and one theory is gathering momentum — but it leaves The Hobbit in a surprising place.

Rings of Power only relates to the Jackson movies insofar as they access the same source material, but they have little to do with each other. The Rings of Power season 3 isn’t obliged to maintain Jackson’s logic, although many of the show’s stylistic choices subtly celebrate the movies’ formative influence (the cinematographic references to the Eye of Sauron, for instance). Therefore, the showrunners are well aware of how characters like the Dark Wizard could affect future viewings of movies like The Hobbit, making one theory an exciting addition to this multi-franchise LotR world.

The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard Must Be Saruman, A Blue Wizard… Or Radagast

The Dark Wizard Is An Istar And Isn’t Gandalf

The Rings of Power season 2 confirms that its Dark Wizard character is one of the Istari, and one theory posits the Dark Wizard is Radagast, a character important in The Hobbit. The Rings of Power and the movies both have rights to adapt The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so there is no reason why they can’t each have their own version of Radagast. If the Dark Wizard is Radagast, he would be diverging heavily from the books and the movies, bringing disturbing new associations when rewatching or re-reading The Hobbit.

Tolkienian Age

Event Marking The Start
Years
Total Length In Solar Years

Before time
Indeterminate
Indeterminate

Indeterminate

Days before Days
The Ainur entered Eä
1 – 3,500 Valian Years
33,537

Pre-First Age Years of the Trees (Y.T.)
Yavanna created the Two Trees
Y.T. 1 – 1050
10,061

First Age (F.A.)
Elves awoke in Cuiviénen
Y.T. 1050 – Y.T. 1500, F.A. 1 – 590
4,902

Second Age (S.A.)
The War of Wrath ended
S.A. 1 – 3441
3,441

Third Age (T.A.)
The Last Alliance defeated Sauron
T.A. 1 – 3021
3,021

Fourth Age (Fo.A)
Elven-ring bearers left Middle-earth
Fo.A 1 – unknown
Unknown

The Rings of Power is only allowed to cover the Second Age of Middle-earth in its Amazon deal, removing the chance of crossover with Jackson’s works. Meanwhile, the Jackson movies are set centuries later, in the Third Age. Naturally, immortals like the five Istari can exist in both ages. With Rings of Power season 2 confirming that the Stranger is Gandalf, the Blue Wizards a mystery, and Saruman problematic, Radagast remains a candidate for the Dark Wizard. Being the Dark Wizard in the show would portray the bumbling, harmless Radagast of The Hobbit in a new light.

Given how The Rings of Power is already expanding the characterization of Lord of the Rings characters like Sauron and Gandalf, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it do the same for Radagast. While Saruman is another character from Tolkien’s Third Age story who could use a deeper backstory, he doesn’t make as much sense as the Dark Wizard.

The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard Being Radagast Would Make More Sense Than Saruman

The Dark Wizard Can’t Be Saruman

There is a theory circulating online and in The Rings of Power fandom that the Dark Wizard is Istar Saruman, but it makes more sense for the Dark Wizard to be a Blue Wizard or Radagast. Although there is a convincing case for the Dark Wizard to be one of the Blues, there is no reason why he couldn’t be Maia Radagast. However, the least logical Istar for the Dark Wizard to be is Saruman. The Dark Wizard being Saruman makes no sense because if Gandalf knew that he was prone to evil, he would suspect his deception sooner in LotR.

Radagast Being The Dark Wizard Would Explain Why He Hardly Gets Involved In LOTR

A Dark Past Could Explain Radagast’s Passivity In LOTR

Disregarding Jackson’s logic, which is completely separate, if Radagast dabbled in dark magic in the Second Age, that may explain his detachment from the War of the Ring. The Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power is definitely being painted as a few steps away from Sauron’s corrupt, Machiavellian pursuit of power. If the Dark Wizard is Radagast, he will inevitably step away from his cruelty and turn once again “to the light.” However, a former dalliance with darkness would explain his reluctance to get involved with it again in the Third Age.

Tolkien said in Lord of the Rings that the five Istari arrived around 1,000 years into the Third Age, while complicating this slightly in other versions of the story. The Rings of Power brought Gandalf, and so far, one other Istar (the Dark Wizard) to Middle-earth in the Second Age. However, this timeline shift has no major ramifications for future events.

The Dark Wizard’s manslaughter of Brânk for incompetence reveals his violence and tyranny, both of which signposted Morgoth’s path. Morgoth was defeated in the First Age, but even without his influence, the Dark Wizard could be prone to similar errors — especially if he’s a Blue Wizard, who Tolkien speculated may have started dark cults in the east. Alternatively, the Dark Wizard could be an early version of Radagast at a low point. If so, perhaps he remains neutral in the Third Age to avoid slipping back into evil through corrupting powers like the One Ring.

Gandalf Turning Radagast Away From Evil Could Be The Start Of Their Friendship

Rings Of Power Could Show Gandalf And Radagast Meeting

If Rings of Power’s Dark Wizard is Radagast, then the show is offering up an origin story for their friendship. That would make sense in the context of the show and allow it a genuinely surprising twist. While Saruman may be the first assumption for many as to the Dark Wizard’s identity, there are several reasons that doesn’t make sense. Meanwhile, the Blue Wizards are an obvious choice for the eastern cult leader. However, a surprise Radagast appearance could delight viewers and set up an even more delightful friendship.

Introducing Radagast would give Rings of Power a popular character whose dynamic with Gandalf in the Second Age is unexplored, allowing for creative invention on the show’s part.

If it is Radagast who Gandalf is interacting with in the show, then viewers will get to watch their relationship develop from its start. This could set up all sorts of Easter eggs for The Hobbit book and movies, as well as Tolkien’s wider lore. Radagast and Gandalf’s historical friendship isn’t detailed in The Lord of the Rings movies, nor is it overly explained in the books. Introducing Radagast would give Rings of Power a popular character whose dynamic with Gandalf in the Second Age is unexplored, allowing for creative invention on the show’s part.

Although the show is under no obligation to adhere to the movies, it has generally respected the story ahead in Tolkien’s books. If it suggests that the Dark Wizard is Saruman, the show will be raising the question of why Gandalf didn’t consider Saruman’s foul play sooner in the Third Age. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power can’t tell Third Age stories and won’t be able to answer that question. Therefore, it’s very unlikely it would raise it in the first place. That makes Radagast a better identity for the mysterious Dark Wizard.