The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has circled the topic of Theo’s paternity for quite a while now, leaving viewers with a few guesses as to who his father might be. Tyroe Muhafidin’s troubled Southlander is the son of Bronwyn, who passed away between The Rings of Power season 1 and season 2. This tragic character is left with no parental figure since his father has been absent the whole time. However, a few fan theories posit Theo in some intriguing roles. If these fan theories are true, Theo’s paternity could be a big surprise.
Theo and his mother, Bronwyn, were the main figures in The Rings of Power’s Southlands arc, which was really put in place to set up the backstory between Halbrand and Adar. Bronwyn actress Nazanin Boniadi exited the show after season 1 to pursue other projects, but it wasn’t a major catastrophe, since her storyline had already come full circle. The Southlands had already become the site of Mordor and Mount Doom. With the Southlands gone, Theo’s father may be forced to reveal himself, in one way or another.
7A Black Númenórean
A Númenórean Colonizer
6A Man Of The Mountains
A Future Oathbreaker
Theo could be LotR’s King of the Dead in The Rings of Power, in which case his father may be one of the Men of the Mountains. The King of the Dead was a leader of the Men of the Mountains before he became the Oathbreaker of the Peter Jackson movies and rode to the Battle of the Pelennor by Aragorn’s side. It started making more sense for Theo to become the King of the Dead in The Rings of Power season 2 as he became better friends with Isildur. This friendship could be setting up Theo’s betrayal of Isildur, making his father a possible Man of the Mountains.
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Theo’s friendship with Isildur could become incredibly sad if he ends up swearing allegiance to him and then betraying him at the last minute. Becoming the leader of the Oathbreakers may suggest that Theo leads or helps lead the Southlanders to the White Mountains, which is where the Men of the Mountains were from. However, Theo’s King of the Dead theory also makes sense if his mysterious father actually came from the mountainous area north of the Southlands. In discovering his paternity, Theo could follow his father to the mountains and start embodying his destiny as the future King of the Dead.
5An Unnamed Southlander
An Unknown Human Character
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Theo’s father could just be an unnamed Southlander who got called away on business and never came back, making Theo’s paternity a mystery without an earth-shattering conclusion. At a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay mentioned that Theo’s father would be revealed. This certainly made it sound as if Theo’s father wasn’t simply one of the many Southlanders that Bronwyn could have met during her time in Tirharad. However, Theo’s father may have been one of the locals of Tirharad, the original setting devised by The Rings of Power.
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Theo having a secret Lord of the Rings identity would make sense, but if he is simply Theo, then his father is probably not one of too much consequence either.
Theo’s identity has been discussed a lot in The Rings of Power fandom, with fans speculating that the show may take the same approach with Theo as it did with Halbrand and the Stranger. Sauron’s identity was explored in season 1, with Halbrand turning out to be The Lord of the Rings’ eponymous villain. Meanwhile, the Stranger was explored in season 2 and turned out to be Gandalf. Theo having a secret Lord of the Rings identity would make sense, but if he is simply Theo, then his father is probably not one of too much consequence either.
4Anárion
Isildur’s Brother
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Anárion is due to appear in The Rings of Power season 3, one way or another, and one shock twist would be Theo being his son. Anárion is Isildur’s older brother who lives in the west of Númenor, but many Númenóreans traveled to Middle-earth, and Anárion could have been one of the many who had. If Anárion went to Middle-earth, met Bronwyn, and got her pregnant, Theo could be key to Gondor’s future. This could be the show’s way of inserting an original character into Gondor’s origin story, allowing them some leeway with the narrative.
Anárion had four children canonically and there’s no reason why he couldn’t have had some of them already in Rings of Power.
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Elendil, Isildur, and Anárion are, of course, the future founders of the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. Númenóreans age far slower than normal humans in LotR, living into their hundreds. Isildur could be older than he looks in The Rings of Power, so it is hard to estimate his brother’s age, although it is known that Anárion was born after Isildur. Anárion had four children canonically and there’s no reason why he couldn’t have had some of them already in Rings of Power. If Anárion had a son in Middle-earth, that would also create drama around his eventual return.
3The True King Of The Southlands
The Rightful Owner Of Halbrand’s Pouch
There is a chance that Theo’s father is the real King of the Southlands, which Halbrand turned out not to be. Bronwyn has a certain level of leadership over the Southlanders. Despite making it seem as if she knew nothing of the real King of the Southlands, it is possible that she knew that he was Theo’s father. Theo’s father’s royal ancestry could have been a part of the reason he left or was lost, setting up a future plot point. Even if Bronwyn was not aware of her lover’s lineage, this twist still works.
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Both the Halbrand and Annatar Sauron characters are played by Charlie Vickers in The Rings of Power.
The Rings of Power set up its King of the Southlands arc to deceive the audience, and Galadriel, as to Sauron’s real identity. So, it seems as if the show may be done with this storyline. That could make Theo’s father more likely to be one of Lord of the Rings’ other characters. However, if Theo’s father was the King of the Southlands, that would make Theo his successor. If Theo finds out his destiny, he may find himself in more of a position to receive one of Sauron’s Rings of Power, which Sauron will be giving out to powerful Men in season 2. This could send Theo down the Ringwraith route.
2A Rohirrim Ancestor Called Théoden
A Precursor To The Éothéod
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Theo could have a father called Théoden, resulting in his name being similar. There is even a chance that Theo’s full name is actually Théoden as well, and that this will be revealed in a future season of the show. This idea plays into the theory that Theo could be a founder of Rohan or an important member of Rohan’s history. There is rich lore about the Rohirrim in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, which details how the Rohirrim migrated to their current realm. Theo’s father reveal could play into this storyline.
Tolkienian Age
Event Marking The Start
Years
Before time
Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Days before Days
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.)
War of Wrath ended
S.A. 1 – 3441
3,441
Third Age (T.A.)
Last Alliance defeated Sauron
T.A. 1 – 3021
3,021
Fourth Age (Fo.A)
Elven-rings left Middle-earth
Fo.A 1 – unknown
Unknown
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In Rings of Power, Rohan hasn’t played a part yet. Most of the tales featuring the Rohirrim take place in the Third Age, but Rings of Power adapts Lord of the Rings’ Second Age. The show is exploring the origins of the Istari, who LotR specifies didn’t arrive in Middle-earth until the Third Age. With this in mind, there is no reason why the show wouldn’t take on an origin story for Rohan. Theo’s father being an early ancestor of the Rohirrim also makes sense considering Theo’s friendship with Isildur – the two could form an early allyship between Rohan and Gondor.
1Arondir
Bronwyn’s Favorite Elf
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Bronwyn’s romance with Arondir was a huge part of the joys of Rings of Power season 1, implying that Arondir may be Theo’s father. The Showrunners appeared to suggest that this was not the case at San Diego Comic-Con, but they have misdirected viewers and fans with their comments before. Arondir acts more like a father to Theo than anyone else on the show. Having been close to his mother, Arondir clearly feels partly responsible for Theo following Bronwyn’s tragic death. Theo is pushing away Arondir’s care, which may set him on a slippery slope.
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Would Galadriel Love Again After Losing Celeborn? Elves’ Marriage In Rings Of Power & LOTR Explained
Fans have lots to say about Rings of Power’s Galadriel romances, but Tolkien had even more to say, clarifying Elves’ marriage customs in detail.
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Considering Theo’s attraction to darkness, he may need a father figure now more than ever. Arondir’s fatherhood wouldn’t have been a welcome sight in Tirharad, with the Elves a constant reminder of the town’s subjugation. The Elves kept watch over the town to keep them from allying with Morgoth again and causing more war. Therefore, Arondir and his peers were maligned. Even Theo disliked his presence. Only Bronwyn welcomed him. It’s understandable why Bronwyn would have lied about Arondir being Theo’s father, but The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power may yet reveal all.
6A Man Of The Mountains
A Future Oathbreaker
Theo could be LotR’s King of the Dead in The Rings of Power, in which case his father may be one of the Men of the Mountains. The King of the Dead was a leader of the Men of the Mountains before he became the Oathbreaker of the Peter Jackson movies and rode to the Battle of the Pelennor by Aragorn’s side. It started making more sense for Theo to become the King of the Dead in The Rings of Power season 2 as he became better friends with Isildur. This friendship could be setting up Theo’s betrayal of Isildur, making his father a possible Man of the Mountains.
Remove Ads
Theo’s friendship with Isildur could become incredibly sad if he ends up swearing allegiance to him and then betraying him at the last minute. Becoming the leader of the Oathbreakers may suggest that Theo leads or helps lead the Southlanders to the White Mountains, which is where the Men of the Mountains were from. However, Theo’s King of the Dead theory also makes sense if his mysterious father actually came from the mountainous area north of the Southlands. In discovering his paternity, Theo could follow his father to the mountains and start embodying his destiny as the future King of the Dead.
5An Unnamed Southlander
An Unknown Human Character
Theo’s father could just be an unnamed Southlander who got called away on business and never came back, making Theo’s paternity a mystery without an earth-shattering conclusion. At a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay mentioned that Theo’s father would be revealed. This certainly made it sound as if Theo’s father wasn’t simply one of the many Southlanders that Bronwyn could have met during her time in Tirharad. However, Theo’s father may have been one of the locals of Tirharad, the original setting devised by The Rings of Power.
Remove Ads
Theo having a secret Lord of the Rings identity would make sense, but if he is simply Theo, then his father is probably not one of too much consequence either.
Theo’s identity has been discussed a lot in The Rings of Power fandom, with fans speculating that the show may take the same approach with Theo as it did with Halbrand and the Stranger. Sauron’s identity was explored in season 1, with Halbrand turning out to be The Lord of the Rings’ eponymous villain. Meanwhile, the Stranger was explored in season 2 and turned out to be Gandalf. Theo having a secret Lord of the Rings identity would make sense, but if he is simply Theo, then his father is probably not one of too much consequence either.
4Anárion
Isildur’s Brother
Remove Ads
Anárion is due to appear in The Rings of Power season 3, one way or another, and one shock twist would be Theo being his son. Anárion is Isildur’s older brother who lives in the west of Númenor, but many Númenóreans traveled to Middle-earth, and Anárion could have been one of the many who had. If Anárion went to Middle-earth, met Bronwyn, and got her pregnant, Theo could be key to Gondor’s future. This could be the show’s way of inserting an original character into Gondor’s origin story, allowing them some leeway with the narrative.
Anárion had four children canonically and there’s no reason why he couldn’t have had some of them already in Rings of Power.
Remove Ads
Elendil, Isildur, and Anárion are, of course, the future founders of the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. Númenóreans age far slower than normal humans in LotR, living into their hundreds. Isildur could be older than he looks in The Rings of Power, so it is hard to estimate his brother’s age, although it is known that Anárion was born after Isildur. Anárion had four children canonically and there’s no reason why he couldn’t have had some of them already in Rings of Power. If Anárion had a son in Middle-earth, that would also create drama around his eventual return.
3The True King Of The Southlands
The Rightful Owner Of Halbrand’s Pouch
There is a chance that Theo’s father is the real King of the Southlands, which Halbrand turned out not to be. Bronwyn has a certain level of leadership over the Southlanders. Despite making it seem as if she knew nothing of the real King of the Southlands, it is possible that she knew that he was Theo’s father. Theo’s father’s royal ancestry could have been a part of the reason he left or was lost, setting up a future plot point. Even if Bronwyn was not aware of her lover’s lineage, this twist still works.
Remove Ads
Both the Halbrand and Annatar Sauron characters are played by Charlie Vickers in The Rings of Power.
The Rings of Power set up its King of the Southlands arc to deceive the audience, and Galadriel, as to Sauron’s real identity. So, it seems as if the show may be done with this storyline. That could make Theo’s father more likely to be one of Lord of the Rings’ other characters. However, if Theo’s father was the King of the Southlands, that would make Theo his successor. If Theo finds out his destiny, he may find himself in more of a position to receive one of Sauron’s Rings of Power, which Sauron will be giving out to powerful Men in season 2. This could send Theo down the Ringwraith route.
2A Rohirrim Ancestor Called Théoden
A Precursor To The Éothéod
Remove Ads
Theo could have a father called Théoden, resulting in his name being similar. There is even a chance that Theo’s full name is actually Théoden as well, and that this will be revealed in a future season of the show. This idea plays into the theory that Theo could be a founder of Rohan or an important member of Rohan’s history. There is rich lore about the Rohirrim in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, which details how the Rohirrim migrated to their current realm. Theo’s father reveal could play into this storyline.
Tolkienian Age
Event Marking The Start
Years
Total Length In Solar Years
Before time
Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Indeterminate
Days before Days
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.)
War of Wrath ended
S.A. 1 – 3441
3,441
Third Age (T.A.)
Last Alliance defeated Sauron
T.A. 1 – 3021
3,021
Fourth Age (Fo.A)
Elven-rings left Middle-earth
Fo.A 1 – unknown
Unknown
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In Rings of Power, Rohan hasn’t played a part yet. Most of the tales featuring the Rohirrim take place in the Third Age, but Rings of Power adapts Lord of the Rings’ Second Age. The show is exploring the origins of the Istari, who LotR specifies didn’t arrive in Middle-earth until the Third Age. With this in mind, there is no reason why the show wouldn’t take on an origin story for Rohan. Theo’s father being an early ancestor of the Rohirrim also makes sense considering Theo’s friendship with Isildur – the two could form an early allyship between Rohan and Gondor.
1Arondir
Bronwyn’s Favorite Elf
Remove Ads
Bronwyn’s romance with Arondir was a huge part of the joys of Rings of Power season 1, implying that Arondir may be Theo’s father. The Showrunners appeared to suggest that this was not the case at San Diego Comic-Con, but they have misdirected viewers and fans with their comments before. Arondir acts more like a father to Theo than anyone else on the show. Having been close to his mother, Arondir clearly feels partly responsible for Theo following Bronwyn’s tragic death. Theo is pushing away Arondir’s care, which may set him on a slippery slope.
Fans have lots to say about Rings of Power’s Galadriel romances, but Tolkien had even more to say, clarifying Elves’ marriage customs in detail.
Considering Theo’s attraction to darkness, he may need a father figure now more than ever. Arondir’s fatherhood wouldn’t have been a welcome sight in Tirharad, with the Elves a constant reminder of the town’s subjugation. The Elves kept watch over the town to keep them from allying with Morgoth again and causing more war. Therefore, Arondir and his peers were maligned. Even Theo disliked his presence. Only Bronwyn welcomed him. It’s understandable why Bronwyn would have lied about Arondir being Theo’s father, but The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power may yet reveal all.
