Sam Hazeldine as “Adar” in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2024), Amazon MGM Studios

Actor Sam Hazeldine, who plays Adar in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 in the wake of Joseph Mawle exiting the role following the first season, explained why he’s attracted to the character and claimed the character does not see himself as a villain.

Joseph Mawle as Adar in The Lord of the Ring: The Rings of Power

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hazeldine detailed, “For me, the appeal was that he’s a dark character, but he doesn’t see himself as a villain. He’s just trying to protect his children, the Uruk.”

“So he’s doing what he feels he has to do to save them from the genocide, whether that would be from Sauron, who sees them as cannon fodder, or from the elves,” he elaborated.

Sam Hazeldine as “Adar” (left) in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2024), Amazon MGM Studios

READ: ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Screenwriter Reveals ‘War Of The Rohirrim’ Was Chosen To Avoid “Rings Of Power Or Sauron Or The Dark Tower Or Wizards”

However, in the first season Adar makes it abundantly clear he’s been transformed by darkness. After Galadriel tells him she will eradicate all of the orcs before plunging her dagger into his heart, he tells her, “It would seem I’m not the only Elf alive that has been transformed by darkness.”

Nevertheless, Hazeldine went on to explain what viewers can expect from his character in the second season, “At the beginning of the season, Adar is kind of in an existential crisis because he doesn’t really know what to do next. Sure, they’re going to have to deal with various attacks, but he’s finished what he set out to do.”

“He took on the responsibility of caring for these children of his and finding them a home, and now he’s done that. This sets up his call to adventure in season 2,” he shared.

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This explanation makes absolutely no sense given how Adar’s story ends in the first season. He’s declared the Lord of the Southlands. However, he notes that name is not proper given the location does not exist anymore due to the eruption of Mount Doom. While Adar does not name the new location, the show does, changing The Southlands to Mordor.

Why would he go out on an adventure after just claiming Mordor as a home for the Uruks? He’s also clearly declared the Lord of the lands, so would he not want to help them create homes and make the land truly theirs?

What do you make of Hazeldine’s comments on who his character is and what he will be doing in Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?