Amazon Prime's colossal $1 billion Lord of the Rings prequel, The Rings of Power, is set to return for a third season, and the showrunners have made a pivotal decision that could finally win over its harshest critics: significantly reducing the screen time of the Harfoots, the early hobbit ancestors who have been a major point of contention for many viewers.
Since its debut in 2022, the epic series has struggled to capture the hearts of Tolkien's fiercely protective fanbase, despite its massive budget, sweeping sets, and expansive world-building. While the first season attracted over 150 million global viewers, it only managed a paltry 38% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics lambasted everything from the adaptation choices to the 'awful pacing' and 'convoluted, padded and boring plot.'
One of the most criticized elements was the Harfoot subplot, which followed young Harfoots Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) as they befriended the mysterious Stranger (Daniel Weyman), who is later revealed to be Gandalf. The storyline, which stretched across two seasons, was often derided as tedious and disconnected from the more compelling action elsewhere in the series.
Showrunner Confirms Harfoots Take a Backseat
Now, showrunner J.D. Payne has confirmed to Empire that the Harfoots will be taking a 'little bit more of a backseat' in the upcoming season. Payne added, 'But I will also say: never count a Halfling out,' hinting that they may not be gone entirely but will no longer be a central focus.
This news comes as a relief to many viewers who found the Harfoot scenes a slog to get through. The second season, which delved into Sauron's manipulation of elven-smith Celebrimbor, the political intrigue and bloody betrayal in Numenor, and Gandalf's origin story, was widely seen as a significant improvement over the first. By the end of Season 2, Gandalf had revealed his identity and parted ways with his Harfoot companions, seemingly closing that chapter.
Season 3 Promises Bigger Stakes
With the Harfoots now relegated to the background, Season 3 can focus on the more engaging elements of the story. Showrunners have teased that the One Ring will finally be forged this season, a pivotal moment in Middle-earth's history. Additionally, Jamie Campbell Bower has joined the cast as Celeborn, Galadriel's long-absent husband, adding another layer of intrigue.
The decision to cut the Harfoots could be the show-saving move that brings back disillusioned fans and attracts new ones. As one viewer noted, 'The second season was leaps and bounds better, but the Harfoot scenes were still a drag. Cutting them is the right call.'
Can the Show Win Back Its Critics?
The Rings of Power has always been a divisive series, with passionate defenders and detractors. However, the removal of a widely disliked subplot could signal a new direction that respects Tolkien's lore while delivering the epic fantasy audiences crave. With the forging of the One Ring on the horizon, the stakes have never been higher.
Whether this change will be enough to turn the tide remains to be seen, but many fans are cautiously optimistic. As showrunner Payne hinted, the Harfoots may not be gone for good, but their reduced role could allow the series to finally live up to its enormous potential.
Season 3 of The Rings of Power is expected to premiere on Amazon Prime in 2026. With a renewed focus on the central conflicts of Middle-earth, the show may yet escape the shadow of its early missteps and become the epic saga fans have been hoping for.
