The Rings of Power will make major time jumps in its upcoming seasons, according to creators Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne. Season 3 moves the story forward by five years, a decision they say is intended to shorten the lengthy timeline of the books and keep the series moving into the future.
The new season opens midway through the war between Sauron and the Elves, putting viewers directly into the conflict. The time jump also gives characters room to age and allows kingdoms to rise or fall. By this point, familiar locations including Barad-dûr and Rivendell have been built.
Daniel Weyman, who plays Gandalf, also discussed how the gap affects his character. Gandalf has spent the five years with Tom Bombadil, learning to be more patient and less likely to panic when trying to solve problems.
Amazon’s initial plan is for the series to run for five seasons. A fourth season has not been officially confirmed, though reports say production has already begun.
Sources: Eurogamer Portugal.