The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 will be without one crucial character from season 1, a new report reveals. Based on source material from J.R.R. Tolkien, the Prime Video series premiered in 2022, bringing a new version of Middle-earth to life from creators Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne. After season 1 became a major viewership hit, The Rings of Power season 2 will release on the streamer later this year, with most of the key cast expected to return.

A new report from THR reveals that Nazanin Boniadi will not be returning as Brownyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2. Boniadi’s absence is said to be due to her taking a step away from acting in 2022 to pursue activist causes, though she has since wrapped filming on an indie movie called A Mosquito in the Ear. Bronwyn will presumably not be recast, and the report doesn’t mention whether the character could return in future seasons.

Boniadi isn’t the only actor to not return for The Rings of Power season 2. Joseph Mawle will not reprise his role as Adar in season 2, with the character instead set to be played by Sam Hazeldine.

How The Rings Of Power Season 2 Can Deal With Bronwyn’s Absence

Season 2 Seems To Have A New Focus

Bronwyn plays a fairly prominent role as part of the Rings of Power cast in season 1, serving as Theo’s (Tyroe Muhafidin) mother and a love interest for Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova). Both Theo and Arondir are returning in season 2, which means that Bronwyn’s absence will likely be explained in the show. It’s unlikely, however, that the character would be killed off-screen.

Although Bronwyn is featured prominently in early episodes of season 1, she notably doesn’t appear in The Rings of Power season 1 finale. The major cliffhanger season 1 ends on is mostly about Sauron’s identity and his founding of Mordor, with Bronwyn’s story taking a back seat. Her relatively small role in the final two episodes means it likely won’t be that difficult to explain her absence in season 2, and the character could presumably be staying with her people as they attempt to find a new home after the events of season 1, episode 6, “Udûn.”

From the first Rings of Power season 2 trailer, the show’s sophomore outing will focus heavily on the forging of the titular rings and Sauron’s growing influence over Middle-earth. Characters like Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), Elrond (Robert Aramayo), Arondir, and Durin (Owain Arthur) seem to very much take center stage as these new events unfold. While Bronwyn will be missed in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, it certainly seems plausible that the character could return in future seasons.