Stranger’s Identity Finally Revealed in Season 2

At last, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has unveiled a mystery from its very first episode. In the season 2 finale, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, the enigmatic wizard known as “the Stranger” (played by Daniel Weyman) finally embraces his true identity.

After using his magic to safeguard the Harfoots and Stoors from the Dark Wizard (portrayed by Ciaran Hinds), one of the characters affectionately nicknames him “Grand elf.” The Stranger then shortens this title to his well-known name: “Gandalf.”

While the Stranger's arrival in Middle-earth differs from the traditional story established by J.R.R. Tolkien—who wrote that Gandalf arrives by boat in the Third Age—the show has been dropping clues about his true identity for some time. In the season 1 finale, he tells Nori (played by Markella Kavenaugh) to “always follow your nose,” echoing an iconic line from Gandalf in the Mines of Moria.

Instead of hiding the fact that the Stranger is Gandalf, The Rings of Power narrates his transformation into the character. Season 2 not only reveals his name but also shows him finding his twisted wooden staff and discovering his purpose: to protect the vulnerable, like the Harfoots and Stoors, from dark forces.

During a recent Q&A in New York City, Kavenaugh shared that she initially asked if the Stranger was Gandalf during her first rehearsal. Weyman’s response—that the Stranger doesn’t know who he is when we first meet him—led her to focus on the story instead.

Another key character aiding the Stranger's journey is Tom Bombadil (played by Rory Kinnear). While Bombadil plays a significant role in Tolkien’s works, he has been excluded from earlier adaptations, including Peter Jackson’s films, due to his minimal plot contribution. However, McKay and Payne decided to incorporate him into The Rings of Power, linking him directly to the Stranger’s narrative.

McKay explained that Bombadil is a beloved but challenging character, known for his anti-dramatic nature. If given the One Ring, he wouldn’t seek power but would likely misplace it. Yet, if one spends time with him, he shares profound truths about the universe.

To make Bombadil fit within the story’s progression, the showrunners crafted a way for him to support the Stranger’s evolution into Gandalf. One of the final scenes of season 2 features the two mystical figures sharing a campfire, singing songs, as Gandalf’s signature rune lights up the stars above.