The Rings of Power Season 2 Adds a Horrifying New Villain

The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is adding a frightening new villain to its growing roster of baddies.

These are a type of wraith called an undead Barrow-wight. Originally appearing in The Fellowship Of The Ring novel by J. R.R. Tolkien, one of them attacks the hobbits, who narrowly escape the Barrow-downs with their lives.

The Rings of Power season 2 marks the first time they’re hitting the screen, as revealed by Empire with an exclusive image. “The Barrow-wights are ancient, reanimated heroes, acting for evil against their will,” Rings Of Power VFX supervisor Jason Smith says. “It was super-exciting to take on something I hadn’t seen before. We’ve seen undead before, but not like this. We’re doing a little horror movie in Middle-earth.”

Like the Nazgul, the Barrow-wights have tragic origins. They used to be kings and queens, but are now cursed to wander the land with glowing eyes and hideous skinless heads. Smith goes on to explain how his design team went about capturing the creatures’ look.

“The eyes are one key thing we took from the writing,” says Smith. “I used to walk around by my grandma’s farmhouse in Idaho at night, and there’s something about a forest at night that can be so frightening. And if you come across a tree and think you see a glimpse of eyes that are glowing blue, it’s just horrific.”

Make sure to check out The Lord Of The Rings animated movie, revealed in three epic new images.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power season 2 drops on Prime Video 29 August, 2024.