Who is the Stranger in The Rings of Power? (original) (raw)

The Rings of Power season 2 is nearing the end, and there's still one major mystery yet to be cleared up: who is the Stranger?

The Istar first appeared – literally crashing into the show – in season 1, and we've come a long way since then. He's found his voice, discovered his magic, and even made some new friends to accompany him on his quest through Rhûn.

However, despite a very telling line at the end of season 1 that left us almost certain he was Gandalf, the mystery still remains. Season 2 hasn't done too much to solve that, either, but we have had some reveals. In episode two, Nori comes up with some potential names for the wizard: Doderic, Andwise, and Fredegar. Although, these are all just allusions to famous Hobbits.

Then in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 4, the Stranger asks Tom Bombadil for some help discovering himself. In a typically Bombadil way, he does raise more questions than answers, but we do learn that he is on a path set to collide with both the Dark Wizard and Sauron. Certainly seems plausible that's where Gandalf is heading, right? Then, The Rings of Power season 2, episode 6 features another allusion to Gandalf.

Well, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, we’ve broken down all the other main candidates for the bearded figure. Here’s everything we know about who the Stranger really is…

Is the Stranger actually Gandalf?

(Image credit: New Line)

It certainly seems like the Stranger has been set up to be Gandalf. Not only did the season 1 finale confirm that the character is an Istar/Istari (otherwise known as a wizard in Middle-earth parlance), but one line clues us in even further to The Stranger's identity.

At the season's end (and a new journey's beginning), The Stranger, having regained "fragments" of his memories, tells Nori "When in doubt... always follow your nose."

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Sound familiar? That line is said by Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring to Merry. Now, the show hasn't outright confirmed The Stranger is Gandalf, but the Istar link and Fellowship callback means we're almost sure the fan theory has come true...

In season 2, episode 6, Tom Bombadil even quotes Gandalf to the Stranger (in a roundabout way, considering that, chronologically, Bombadil is the one saying it first, so maybe Gandalf is quoting him?). That has us even more convinced that Gandalf and the Stranger are one and the same.

Who else could the Stranger be?

(Image credit: Prime Video)

Well even though it does seem very likely that the Stranger is Gandalf. There are a few more candidates he could still be. The biggest issue at the moment is Tolkien lore, which states that Gandalf, Saruman and Radagast traveled to Middle-earth in the Third Age to help combat the growth of Sauron. Therefore, it would be slightly early to see the beloved character in The Rings of Power...

There are some other options, but the most likely contender is that he's one of the Blue Wizards. These two mysterious characters named Alatar and Pallando (or Morinehtar and Rómestámo in later Tolkien writings) arrived in Middle-earth in the Second Age to stop the reach of Sauron.

Their mission was to reduce the Dark Lord's reach in the eastern and southern parts of Middle-earth, which is very intriguing when you consider that season 2 sees the Stranger head east to Rhûn... Could there be more to this than meets the eye?

For more, check out our guide to the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, as well as our The Rings of Power season 2 review and our The Rings of Power season 2 release schedule.