Below are full spoilers for Episode 8 of The Rings of Power.
Markella Kavenagh has revealed that the cast of The Rings of Power did not find out about the Stranger’s identity until they were given the script for Episode 8.
Speaking exclusively to TechRadar prior to the airing of The Rings of Power season 1 finale, Kavenagh – who plays Nori Brandyfoot, one of the show’s main Harfooters – explained that she had no idea who the Stranger was until late in production.
Major spoilers follow Rings of Power, Episode 8. Don’t read outside of the image below if you haven’t already broadcast it.
While we do not find out about the real name of the Stranger, we do get confirmation of the type of being he is in the latest episode of Prime Video’s high fantasy show. He is one of the Istari, a group of five wizards sent to Middle-earth by the Valar to aid the races of the world against Sauron.
Ever since the first trailer for The Rings of Power was released in February, Lord of the Rings fans have speculated that the Stranger was one of the Istari, although the expensive Prime Video series sometimes mistakenly led us to think he was in fact Sauron. However, with the eighth episode of The Rings of Power coming out, we know the Stranger is one of the good guys – it remains to be seen who he really is.
It seems that many of the show’s actors did not know for a long time who the Stranger was. As revealed by Kavenagh, none of the actors who played Harfoot – including Megan Richards (Poppy), Sara Zwongbani (Marigold) and Dylan Smith (Largo) – or the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) had known with the group before. they find out only when the scenarios have been delivered to them.
“Yes, when did we really receive the scripts,” said Kavenagh when asked when she heard of the Stranger’s wizard disclosure. “I think we have [episode] eighth is quite late and there were also two versions because the finale was so confidential. We read the scripts and it was very exciting to find out who Daniel was playing. It was a big deal to finally know who the Stranger was – in a way!
Check out our Rings of Power Summaries
“In some ways” is the right way to end that answer. Unfortunately, The Rings of Power does not confirm what a wizard the Stranger is. This is a disclosure that will be put on hold until season two at the earliest. Although, judging by the specific line of dialogue the Stranger tells Nori in Episode 8, we may already know who he is.
Fortunately, the series’ eighth entry is not the end of Nori and the Stranger’s burgeoning friendship. We see the pair leave the rest of the Harfoots to head east, keeping an eye on the land of Rhûn. There, the couple hope to learn more about the Stranger’s powers – and hopefully his real name.
For Kavenagh, the opportunity to further explore Nori’s relationship with the Stranger in the show’s season two is incredibly exciting. Mainly because the duo can talk to each other now – something that wasn’t possible when The Stranger first landed in the first episode of The Rings of Power.
“They are now able to communicate more verbally,” she added. “We have this dialogue scene in Episode 8, but this is the first time we’ve been able to interact. It was a pretty cool experience and I think it will change as their friendship grows.
“This will add a little more to their dynamics, but we’ll have to see how it plays out. I don’t know when the filming of Season Two will start – it’s starting slowly, but I don’t have the final time for it. Daniel and I know each other well now, so hopefully this will be more fun and allow us to infuse their relationship with a deeper connection.
For more exclusive Rings of Power coverage, find out why Episode 2 nearly ruined Sauron’s big reveal. Alternatively, read when the show’s cast found out which one played Sauron.