As The Rings of Power gears up for its third season, a looming question arises: which characters will Sauron transform into his loyal Nazgûl using the newly forged rings of power? The groundwork has been laid, and fans are speculating who will fall under Sauron’s control and become the infamous Ringwraiths.
By Joseph Gutierrez
Nazgûl Origins in The Rings of Power
By the end of Season 2, 19 of the 20 rings of power have been forged, with Sauron preparing to distribute the nine rings meant for men. In Tolkien’s lore, these rings will corrupt their bearers and turn them into Nazgûl, shadowy servants bound to Sauron. The upcoming season will likely reveal which of the human characters introduced will succumb to Sauron’s influence and become wraiths.
Kemen and Eärien: Strong Candidates for Corruption
Kemen, the Númenorean nobleman, has shown signs of ambition and treachery, making him a prime candidate to receive one of the rings. His thirst for power, especially in opposition to his father Pharazôn, may drive him to accept Sauron’s offer. Another possible candidate is Eärien, Isildur’s sister, who has been swayed by anti-Elven propaganda. Her moral struggle and potential for manipulation make her a likely choice to become one of the Ringwraiths.
Pharazôn: A King on the Edge
Pharazôn, who declared himself ruler of Númenor in Season 2, has a deep connection to Tolkien’s lore. In the original stories, Pharazôn captures Sauron but is eventually ensnared by his influence, leading to the fall of Númenor. Given his ambition and proximity to power, Pharazôn could easily be tempted by one of the nine rings and join Sauron’s ranks as a Nazgûl.
Other Contenders: Theo and the Gaudrim
Theo, a young man tempted by dark forces in Season 1, remains a wild card. His loss of family and the temptation of power could make him vulnerable to Sauron’s manipulations. The Gaudrim, mysterious masked figures introduced in Season 2, also hint at a deeper connection to the Nazgûl. Their origins in the East, the homeland of Khamûl (one of the named Nazgûl), make them potential candidates to serve Sauron in the future.
Season 3 will likely reveal more about Sauron’s growing influence over men, with several key characters poised to fall under his control.
Based on information from www.moviepilot.de and own research.