McKay & Payne Talk Showrunning…

By August Tales

Despite some initial blowback, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has proven its worth. Following a lukewarm reception to the inaugural series, the second season premiered to audience delight back on August 29, 2024. The concluding episode, aptly named “Shadow and Flame,” wrapped up on October 3, 2024 – leaving fans and critics alike hungry for more.

Marketed as a success by Amazon, even hardened critics have declared the second season a step up from the first. Yet, with bated breath, fans and pundits alike wait for Amazon’s next move: confirmation of the anticipated third season. Meanwhile, the conversation continues – mostly focused on the intriguing revelations in the season’s finale.

Beyond Fan Curtains: Showrunners Spill the Secrets

Just as fans are analyzing every detail, showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay recently offered their share of insights. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, they delved into some intriguing elements of the final episode, focusing heavily on a character cloaked in mystery – The Stranger.

The Stranger, portrayed by Daniel Weyman, has captivated viewers throughout the series. The character’s identity remained a mystery until the final reveal – the character is Gandalf. Despit possible lore contradictions, the choice of Gandalf was deliberate, carefully orchestrated by showrunners Payne and McKay.

The Journey to Gandalf: Decoding the Decision

But why Gandalf? When asked if this was an intended reveal, JD Payne disclosed that they had rights to the character from the beginning. He stated that The Stranger’s evolution into Gandalf made sense as they delved deeper into the narrative. Payne pointed to two reasons – Gandalf’s strange affinity for Halflings and his relationship with Tom Bombadil.

Patrick McKay chimed in, expressing his love for the Gandalf character. He saw immense potential in depicting an earlier version of Gandalf in a phase of self-discovery. When asked if this was Gandalf’s genesis, McKay offered a tantalizing hint of Gandalf’s history, referencing multiple appearances in J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings. However, he maintained that such stories were for others to tell.

Gandalf’s Past: A New Tale or Continuity?

Would this revised Gandalf contradict known lore? When asked about the character’s state of disorientation following his transformation into Gandalf the White, Payne revealed that it was part of the ongoing narrative. According to him, Gandalf did hold onto an identity before his awakening in the crater.

Are you intrigued by these revelations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!