The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay said that fan feedback partially influenced the second season – despite the fact that the script was mostly written before the first season aired. Payne told Vanity Fair:
As far as how it affected the second season, we wrote most of the second season before the first one even came out. Right now we’re finalizing the last bits before filming starts. Although a large share of the pie was baked before the reaction of the audience appeared, we continue to listen to your opinion.
McKay added:
Of course, you look at the reaction of the audience and see what kind of characters people like and what storylines they are drawn to. So to the extent that there is a course correction, we’re building on the strengths of the show and the strengths of our actors and designers.
Much of the first season was devoted to the personality of Sauron, as well as the origin of all the rings. It remains to be seen whether the second season of Rings of Power will draw as heavily on the mysteries of Middle-earth. Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke recently told Variety that she wants “as little time as possible between seasons”. The second season has recently started production in the UK.
