A Main Rings Of Power Cast Member Is Officially Switching Roles In Season 3

Rings of Power actor Robert Aramayo is taking on a brand new role in season 3. For the first two installments of this Lord of the Rings prequel series, Aramayo fell easily into the role of Elrond, previously played by Hugo Weaving in Peter Jackson's film trilogy. While this younger version of the character certainly has his differences, Elrond's wisdom, compassion, and intensity have been ever present through Aramayo's performance. Now, it's time for the actor to expand.

It has been officially revealed that Aramayo is billed to be playing the character Elros in addition to his more familiar Elrond. In truth, we already saw this character depicted in art in Numenor, when Galadriel pointed out the ancient king who shared a close resemblance to her friend. Aramayo was obviously used as a model for that painting, but there was little hope that Elros would appear in the flesh in Rings of Power. That's all about to change, as it looks like season 3 will take us back in time to when Elrond's twin brother chose a mortal life and ruled Valinor.

Robert Aramayo's Second Character In The Rings Of Power Season 3 Explained

Those only familiar with Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies might not know that Elrond was born with a twin brother. The two Elves were born to Eärendil and Elwing in the First Age, and just about a century into their lives, their family was swept up into a winding adventure. The Dark Lord Morgoth had become a threat far beyond anything the Children of Iluvatar could handle, and though they were banned from returning to Valinor, Eärendil and Elwing sacrificed everything to bring a treasured Silmaril to the Valar and beg their help.

The Valar were touched by Eärendil and Elwing's determination to save the beings of Middle-earth at the cost of their own lives. They agreed to step in and handle Morgoth, and then they rewarded the two Elves by granting them a unique choice. Eärendil, Elwing, and their descendants were given the ability to choose between being counted among the Elves or Men. They and their son Elrond kept immortality, while Elros chose to become mortal.

Elros' rewards went far beyond receiving the Gift of Men (mortality). He was granted the island of Numenor to rule. Elros established this beautiful kingdom and ruled it until he was around 500 years old. Then, the position of king or queen moved down his line. This means figures like Miriel, Pharazon, Elendil, and Isildur are all descendants of Elrond's twin brother. Of course, this also means The Lord of the Rings' Aragorn can count Elros among his direct ancestors (yes, he and Arwen were cousins).

The Rings Of Power's Flashback Is A Huge Deal

Rings of Power may have to dance around this story a bit, but if Aramayo is playing Elros during a flashback sequence in season 3, it's a pretty big deal. The First Age of Middle-earth is notoriously tricky to adapt, since the screen rights for this period in Tolkien's legendarium are pretty limited. Morgoth's theft of the Silmarils and the various efforts to get them back for greedy or selfless purposes are something that has yet to be adapted fully, and even Rings of Power season 1 had to steer clear. Now, it looks as if season 3 is going to dip its toes in.

While the upcoming flashback may not show us much of Morgoth, the Silmarils, or the Valar, the fact that it will show Elros suggests that we are, at the very least, going to see what this island kingdom looked like in its inception and how the king felt about the duty of his parents, the distance from his brother, and his own choice for mortality. It would be a highly valuable look at something we've never seen before, and with Aramayo in the driver's seat in Rings of Power season 3, there's every chance that it will be spectacular.