Adar became one of the most talked-about characters in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power when the series first arrived on Prime Video in September 2022. The dark elf leader of the Orcs was mysterious, soft-spoken, and surprisingly caring toward his “children.” So when Season 2 arrived with a new face in the role, viewers had questions. Joseph Mawle, who played Adar in Season 1, did not return. Sam Hazeldine took over the part. Here is everything you need to know about why the change happened, what the actors said, and how the recast played out on screen.
Joseph Mawle Left To Explore New Roles
The recasting was first announced by Amazon in December 2022, shortly after Season 1 finished its run. No official reason was given at the time, which left fans guessing. Joseph Mawle later shared his own explanation on social media.
“I loved my time exploring middle earth and diving into Tolkien’s mythology. I’m so honoured that the character was liked. He cared deeply about telling you his story,” Mawle wrote on Twitter. “Though as an actor it remains my wish, my job description to explore new characters and worlds. Wishing all the best to cast and crew for S2, I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines X.”
The message made it clear that Mawle’s exit was a personal career choice, not a falling out with the show. He wanted to take on different projects. Since leaving The Rings of Power, Mawle has appeared in the Yellowstone prequel 1923 and the historical drama Mary & George.
Amazon Called It An Unfortunate Situation
Amazon executives later addressed the change. Vernon Sanders, a top executive at Amazon Studios, spoke with Deadline about Mawle’s departure.
“Unfortunately it didn’t work out,” Sanders said. “With a show that had this many series regulars and this many recurring characters, it unfortunately happened.”
Sanders also praised Mawle’s work, saying the actor “was tremendous and gave an incredible performance.” He added that the character of Adar had “some really exciting dynamic things to play” in Season 2. The comment pointed to a practical reality of large-scale television: schedules clash, contracts end, and sometimes a role has to be recast to keep the story moving.
Sam Hazeldine Stepped Into The Role
Sam Hazeldine was announced as the new Adar in the same December 2022 casting notice that revealed Mawle’s exit. Hazeldine is an English actor with a long list of credits. Viewers may know him as George Sewell in Peaky Blinders, or from films like The Last Duel, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, and The Hitman’s Bodyguard. He has also appeared in streaming series including The Sandman and The Witcher on Netflix, plus Slow Horses and Masters of the Air on Apple TV+.
Taking over a role from another actor comes with its own challenges. Hazeldine acknowledged that he and Mawle do not look alike. Speaking about the recast, he said it was a pleasure to join the show as a character with “conflicted motivations.”
“For me, the appeal was that he’s a dark character, but he doesn’t see himself as a villain. He’s just trying to protect his children, the Uruk. So he’s doing what he feels he has to do to save them from the genocide, whether that would be from Sauron, who sees them as cannon fodder, or from the elves,” Hazeldine told Entertainment Weekly.
Why Adar Could Not Simply Be Written Out
Adar is not a minor character. He is an original creation for the series, not taken directly from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. In Season 1, it is revealed that Adar is one of the Elves who was tortured by Morgoth. He later tried to kill Sauron, which is why the Orcs call him “father” and follow him. His actions at the end of Season 1 led to the creation of Mordor, transforming the Southlands into a fiery wasteland.
With Season 2 picking up directly from those events, Adar remained central to the story. The character was too important to simply write out, which left the show with one clear option: find a new actor to carry the role forward.
What Happened To Adar In Season 2
Season 2 of The Rings of Power premiered on Prime Video on August 29, 2024. The first three episodes were released on that date, with the remaining episodes following weekly. Hazeldine’s Adar continued the character’s journey as the leader of the Orcs in Mordor, navigating the rise of Sauron and the growing threat from the Elves.
The recast was handled without a major in-story explanation. The show did not use magic or transformation to account for the new face. Instead, the story simply continued with Hazeldine in the role, trusting the audience to accept the change.
You May Also Like:
Where To Watch The Rings Of Power
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power streams exclusively on Prime Video. The series is available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and most other regions where Amazon Prime Video operates. A Prime Video subscription is required to watch. Season 1 and Season 2 are both available to stream. The show was renewed for a third season in February 2024, though a release date for that season has not been announced.
Also Read: The Rings of Power Season 3: Sauron Forges the One Ring as New Characters Enter Middle-earth
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on your favorite shows, movies, and stars from around the world.
Leave a Reply