‘The Rings of Power’ Star Teases That Gandalf’s Story Is About to Get Epic, Once Tom Bombadil Steps Aside

For two seasons, one of Middle-earth’s most famous wizards spent his time as a mystery. Fans debated the identity of the Stranger, a figure who crash-landed into the Harfoots’ world, long before the show gave him a name.

That mystery is over, and the character’s journey is entering a new phase. The man playing him now has some bold things to say about where it goes next.

Daniel Weyman says Gandalf’s story becomes epic in ‘The Rings of Power‘ Season 3, once Tom Bombadil begins to disappear because he knows Gandalf is ready. Weyman describes a wizard who has grown into himself and realized what his purpose really is.

The Season 2 finale confirmed what many viewers suspected from the start: the Stranger was Gandalf all along. After time spent with the least Bombadil-like Tom Bombadil imaginable, he claimed his staff and said his name aloud for the first time.

That moment sets up a very different character for the next chapter. Weyman has described the earlier version as more grounded and uncertain, still trying to understand his own abilities.

The new season changes that. According to Weyman, the Gandalf of Season 3 is no longer figuring out who he is.

The story also moves forward in time. Season 3 picks up after a 5-year time jump, which co-showrunner Patrick McKay says takes everyone to the “tipping point” of an epic war between Sauron and the Elves.

That gap gives Gandalf time to hone his magic. It also explains why his arc can leap forward so sharply, since the character has had years to settle into his role as an Istar.

Bombadil’s exit is the hinge of that development. When the mysterious figure begins to vanish, it signals that Gandalf no longer needs a guide.

The change is visible too. Weyman appears in the full Gandalf the Grey costume, complete with the pointed hat and staff, in images unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con and on an Empire magazine world-exclusive cover. It is the first complete live-action look at the wizard since Ian McKellen played him in the ‘Hobbit’ films.

Weyman told Empire that the showrunners, J.D. Payne and McKay, spoke to him before filming to say they wanted to see that Gandalf had arrived. He has also described finding a new side to the character, including mischief and a twinkle in his eye.

That tone matters. Gandalf is meant to be warm and playful as well as powerful, and the shift suggests the series is leaning into the wizard fans know from Tolkien’s writing.

The comparison to the films is unavoidable. In ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, Gandalf held off the Balrog in Khazad-dûm and led the charge of the Rohirrim at Helm’s Deep. Those moments define how audiences imagine the character.

‘The Rings of Power’ has a lot to live up to as a result. Weyman has also said he was still processing the fact that he was actually playing Gandalf.

At Comic-Con, he teased that his character is searching for people whose hearts have been chilled or frozen. That hint points to a quest that is more spiritual than purely military.

This season, One Ring to rule them all. Watch the official trailer now, then witness Season 3 beginning November 11. https://t.co/YjH5I0bCEu

— The Lord of the Rings (@TheRingsofPower) October 21, 2026

Prime Video renewed the show for Season 3 in February 2025. Filming began in the summer of that year and reportedly wrapped at the end of December 2025.

Season 2 drew fewer viewers than the debut season, with Deadline reporting that total minutes watched were down 60%. A bolder, more recognizable Gandalf may be part of the plan to win audiences back.

There is still no confirmed release date for the new episodes, though a teaser trailer has already arrived. The cast also includes Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Charlie Vickers as Sauron and Robert Aramayo as Elrond.

The tease suggests the series is ready to give its most iconic character a proper moment. After years of waiting, viewers will finally see the wizard in full, with a clear sense of purpose.

Whether that is enough to match the weight of Gandalf’s film legacy remains to be seen. For fans of Middle-earth, though, the promise of an epic turn is a welcome one.

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