Stranger Things actor cast for third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Netflix blockbuster Stranger Things actor Jamie Campbell Bower is joining one of the biggest fantasy franchises of all time. Bower is set to have a series regular role in the upcoming third season of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Additionally, Ray Donovan actor Eddie Marsan will have a recurring role in the new season, which is currently in pre-production.



As usual, details about the roles are being kept under wraps, but sources say that Bower (pictured) will play the biggest new role in Rings of Power, a character described in circulating casting notes as a handsome knight of high birth (code name Arlen). He could be a new love interest for Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), who in season two was confronted with the reality of the true identity of Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), her love interest in season one and real-life archvillain Sauron.

Whatever the exact role is, it's expected to be a stark departure from the monstrous role of Vecna ​​that Bower plays in Stranger Things, something he recently hinted at at a fan convention when he recounted a conversation with his therapist about his post-Stranger Things plans.

“I turned around to him, and I was like, ‘to be honest with you, man, I just don’t think I’ll be doing another bad guy for a minute,’” Bower was quoted as sating.

Not much is known about Marsan's character (codename Dromm), other than the fact that he has a brother. Since the role reportedly required a Scottish accent, the English actor could presumably play a dwarf.

Though it was only formally picked up a few weeks ago, season three of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been in the works for some time, with filming set to begin this spring at Shepperton Studios in the United Kingdom.

Bower is one of the most prominent actors with a large, established fan base to join The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. In addition to playing Henry Creel/Vecna ​​​​in Stranger Things , the fifth and final season of which debuts later this year, the English actor is known for his roles as Caius in The Twilight Saga , as the young Gellert Grindelwald in the Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts franchise, and as Jace in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.



Marsan (pictured) received two BIFA Awards for his roles in Mike Leigh’s films Vera Drake and Happy Go Lucky and played Terry Donovan on Showtime’s Ray Donovan throughout the series and its sequel. He recently starred in the Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black and was also seen in the Brian Epstein biopic Midas Man. He had a leading role in the Apple TV+ limited series Franklin opposite Michael Douglas and has appeared in Netflix’s Supacell and Heartstopper.