‘Rings of Power’ Star Daniel Weyman Teases a More Powerful, Purpose-Driven Gandalf in Season 3

Few characters in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ have undergone as dramatic a journey as The Stranger. When Daniel Weyman’s mysterious figure first crashed into Middle-earth in a meteor, he had no memory of who he was or where he came from.

By the end of Season 2, fans finally got the answer they had been waiting for: The Stranger is the wizard who will one day become Gandalf. Now, with Season 3 arriving on Prime Video on November 11, the character is ready to step into a much bigger role.

In a new interview with SFX magazine, Weyman reflected on how far his character has come. He explained that in Season 1, The Stranger knew nothing and had to learn everything from scratch.

In Season 3, Weyman said, the biggest difference is that Gandalf has grown into himself and finally understands what his purpose really is. He added that his story suddenly becomes pretty epic in the new season, a clear sign that the wizard is about to take center stage.

The actor also shared what he loves most about playing the character. According to Weyman, it’s the way Gandalf sees the good in other people. Season 3 picks up after a 5-year time jump. Co-showrunner Patrick McKay has described this period as the tipping point of an epic war between Sauron and the Elves.

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

For Gandalf, those years have made a big difference. GamesRadar noted that, having had time to develop his magic, the wizard is no longer holding back the way he did in earlier seasons. Weyman also explained that Tom Bombadil begins to step back from Gandalf’s journey because he senses that the young wizard is finally ready to go on without him.

Weyman had already teased Gandalf’s new direction at San Diego Comic-Con. There, he said the wizard is on the lookout for people whose hearts have been chilled and frozen. According to Weyman, Gandalf will try to rewarm those hearts while working to help defeat Sauron. It’s a mission that fits the warm, hopeful version of the character that fans know from J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories.

The many faces of Middle-earth. https://t.co/wCfAXqWDHF

— The Lord of the Rings (@TheRingsofPower) October 22, 2026

The new season pushes the story toward the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron. Sauron attempts to forge the One Ring in Mount Doom, while Galadriel and Elrond lead the Elves in defending their kingdoms.

Morfydd Clark returns as Galadriel and Charlie Vickers as Sauron, while McKay has promised that the identity of Ciarán Hinds’ mysterious Dark Wizard will finally be revealed. Season 3 runs for 8 episodes. Prime Video has also shown confidence in the series by renewing it for a 4th season, announced during Amazon’s annual Upfront presentation.

For many fans, Gandalf has always been one of the most anticipated parts of the series. Watching him grow from a confused stranger into a confident wizard has been one of the show’s longest-running storylines.

If Weyman’s comments are any indication, Season 3 is where that journey finally pays off. With war on the horizon and Sauron growing stronger, Middle-earth is going to need Gandalf more than ever.

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