Who is the Istari Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power Season 2? Gandalf or Sauron?

Who is the Istari Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power Season 2? Gandalf or Sauron?

As a seasoned gamer and Tolkien enthusiast with over two decades of immersing myself in Middle-earth lore, I must confess that The Rings of Power Season 2 has left me utterly captivated by the enigmatic Dark Wizard. His elusive identity, shrouded in mystery, has sparked a whirlwind of speculation among fans, leaving us all on the edge of our seats.


In its second season, the show “The Rings of Power” has left audiences spellbound by the arrival of a mysterious Dark Wizard. The character’s true identity is still veiled in secrecy, leading to much debate among fans as they ponder if he could be either Gandalf or Sauron. Portrayed by actor Ciaran Hinds, this enigmatic figure has made his mark in the area of Rhun. Interestingly enough, it has been disclosed that this very character was behind the white-robed mystics who chased The Stranger during Season 1. As the story unfolds, viewers can’t help but anticipate more hints to unveil the real essence of this powerful and enigmatic being.

In this article, we’ll discuss who truly serves as the main adversary between Gandalf and Sauron in The Rings of Power Season 2.

Is The Rings of Power’s Dark Wizard Gandalf or Sauron?

It is currently unconfirmed if The Rings of Power’s Dark Wizard is Gandalf or Sauron.

It appears that he resembles the Stranger in being an Istar, as “Istar” encompasses both “wizard” and “one who is wise, knowledgeable.” This new character shares the title of a wizard with the Stranger.

In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, the creators chose to keep secret the identity of the latest Dark Wizard, opting not to provide a straight-forward response when questioned about the character.

In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, there are five magical beings referred to as Istar, or wizards. Among these, Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast play crucial parts in the narrative. The other two, called the Blue Wizards or Ithryn Luin, have less focus on them in the storyline.

In my gaming world of Middle-earth, I’ve got to clarify that the rumors about this Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power being Gandalf are off the mark. That’s because The Rings of Power’s story unfolds during the Second Age, while old man Gandalf doesn’t show up until the Third Age.

Additionally, it’s worth considering a hypothesis that suggests The Stranger from Seasons 1 and 2 could be similar to Gandalf. This assumption arises due to their shared phrase, “When in doubt, always follow your nose,” which is a line spoken by Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings movies. This contradicts the theory that the Dark Wizard might be Gandalf instead.

Some people wonder if the villainous characteristics displayed by The Dark Wizard are actually those of Sauron, masquerading under a different guise. Yet, this hypothesis seems unlikely given that Sauron is now posing as Annatar and influencing Celebrimbor in his deceptive ways.

The similarities between the Dark Wizard and Saruman, noticeable in their physical features and language style, point towards the possibility that they could be one and the same. However, this assumption is weakened because we know Saruman came to Middle-earth during the Third Age, turning evil later on. Furthermore, it’s not likely that he is Radagast, as they both appeared in Middle-earth at the same time and Radagast was mainly concerned with animal and plant conservation, leaving little room for him to build a following of devoted mystics like the Dark Wizard.

There’s speculation that the Dark Wizard might belong to the group of Ithryn Luin, or blue wizards, but it hasn’t been definitively proven yet. The true identity of the Dark Wizard won’t be revealed until the end of the second season.

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2024-08-30 16:10