Okay, let's dive into one of the most intriguing mysteries Amazon's The Rings of Power threw at us: Who is Adar? Seriously, when this elegant, tormented figure showed up commanding orcs in the Southlands, I remember pausing the show and turning to my partner: "Wait, is that..? No, it can't be... but who IS that?" He didn't look like your typical snarling Uruk-hai. He seemed... different. Ancient. Sad, even. That quiet intensity actor Joseph Mawle brought to the role made Adar instantly captivating, and honestly, that scene where he gently touches the sunlight? Chilling and beautiful at the same time. If you're trying to figure out who is Adar in Rings of Power, buckle up. We're going deep into his origins, motivations, actor portrayal, and what his existence means for Middle-earth's Second Age.
The Core Identity: Adar Defined
At his most basic level, Adar is the original elf transformed into one of the first orcs through Morgoth's dark experiments. The showrunners confirmed this heartbreaking origin: he's essentially "Father" to the orcs (which is what "Adar" translates to in Sindarin Elvish). Think about the weight of that. He was once one of the Firstborn, immortal and beautiful, twisted beyond recognition into something monstrous. That's why he commands such devotion from the orcs – he's literally their progenitor. It adds a layer of tragedy to the usual "evil commander" trope. He's not just a villain; he's a victim of the First Age's greatest evils. When Galadriel confronts him, calling him "Uruk," it's the ultimate insult because he sees himself as something more, maybe even something better, than what Morgoth made him. His quest for a homeland for his "children" in the Southlands (later Mordor) isn't just conquest; it's a twisted act of creation, mirroring the Valar but born from darkness.
The Man Behind the Mystery: Joseph Mawle's Portrayal
Let's talk about the actor because Joseph Mawle's performance is key to understanding who is Adar in Rings of Power. You might know him as Benjen Stark from Game of Thrones, another character shrouded in mystery and burdened by darkness. Mawle brings this incredible physicality and stillness to Adar. He moves with a deliberate, almost weary grace. His voice is hauntingly soft, not the growl you expect from an orc leader. I found his performance mesmerizing and unsettling. There's this profound sadness behind his eyes, even when he's commanding terrifying loyalty from his orc followers. It makes you wonder about the millennia of torment he's endured. How much of the original elf remains? Is the gentleness we sometimes see a remnant of that, or just another facet of his complex psychology? Mawle manages to convey all this mostly through subtle gestures and that penetrating gaze. It’s masterful work that elevates Adar far beyond a cardboard villain.
| Actor | Character Portrayed | Key Traits Brought to Adar | Notable Scene Showcase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Mawle | Adar (Season 1) | Haunting stillness, quiet intensity, profound sadness, commanding presence | The sunlight scene (Episode 6), confrontation with Galadriel (Episode 6) |
| Sam Hazeldine (Taking over Season 2) |
Adar (Season 2 onwards) | TBD (Based on past work: rugged intensity, deep gravitas) | TBD (Season 2) |
Yeah, there's been a recast for Season 2 – Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders, The Sandman) is stepping in. Mawle reportedly left due to personal reasons. It's a shame; Mawle truly defined the character initially. Hazeldine has big shoes to fill, but he's a capable actor known for intensity. I'm curious if the character's mannerisms will shift or if Hazeldine will try to maintain that unsettling quiet Mawle perfected. Only time will tell.
Adar's Critical Role in Season 1: Architect of Mordor
Let's be clear: Adar isn't just some mid-level boss. He's arguably the single most effective catalyst for the rise of Mordor in Season 1. His plan was devastatingly simple and brilliant: infiltrate the Southlands villages, manipulate the humans (like poor, misguided Waldreg), and use the ancient volcanic tunnels and a dammed river to trigger the Orodruin eruption. That scene where Mount Doom erupts? That's Adar's masterpiece. He literally reshapes the geography of Middle-earth. Think about that ambition! He didn't just want to win a battle; he wanted to forge an entire realm for his people out of fire and ash. This raises fascinating questions: How long had he been planning this? Decades? Centuries? The precision suggests immense patience and foresight.
Key Takeaway: Understanding who is Adar in Rings of Power means recognizing he isn't merely Sauron's servant. He has his own agency, his own tragic goals, and he achieved something monumental – the birth of Mordor – largely through his own cunning. That makes him uniquely dangerous and compelling.
Adar vs. Sauron: A Power Struggle Brewing
This is where things get spicy. Adar and Sauron are not best buddies. Adar's relationship with the Dark Lord is complex and fraught with tension. Remember when Galadriel interrogates Adar and asks point-blank if he is Sauron? His reply is dripping with contempt: "After all I endured at his hand?" That single line speaks volumes. It implies Sauron personally tortured Adar during the First Age, likely during the initial orc-creation experiments under Morgoth. Adar despises Sauron. He sees him as another tormentor, another being who views the orcs as mere tools. Adar wants sovereignty for himself and his children, not to kneel before another dark master.
| Aspect | Adar | Sauron |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | First Elf twisted into first Orc (Victim) | Maiar spirit, Morgoth's lieutenant (Perpetrator) |
| Primary Goal | A homeland/free kingdom for Orcs | Total dominion over Middle-earth |
| View of Orcs | "Children" to be nurtured and given a home | Expendable tools and soldiers |
| Method | Practical strategy (e.g., creating Mordor) | Deception, domination, magical artifacts (Rings) |
| Relationship | Hatred and fear of Sauron | Likely views Adar as a useful but rebellious pawn |
This sets up a fascinating dynamic for Season 2. Sauron (disguised as Halbrand) is now revealed and consolidating power in Mordor – the very land Adar forged for his orcs. That's a recipe for conflict. Will Adar submit? Unlikely. He didn't go through millennia of torment just to bow to his old torturer. I suspect we'll see a brutal power struggle. Maybe Adar even becomes an unwilling, temporary ally to the Free Peoples against the greater threat? Now that would be an ironic twist Tolkien might have appreciated. The question "who is Adar in Rings of Power" might evolve into "whose side is Adar even on?" next season.
Theories and Speculation: What's Next for Adar?
Alright, grab your tinfoil hats. Here are some of the juiciest fan theories floating around about who is Adar in Rings of Power and where his story might go:
- The Maglor Theory: This is a deep-cut one for Tolkien scholars. Maglor was one of the sons of Fëanor, a mighty elf lord who, after committing terrible kinslayings, wandered the shores of Middle-earth in eternal penance, singing laments. Some theorize Adar could be a twisted version of Maglor – his nobility destroyed, his spirit broken, finding kinship only among the outcast orcs. While the timelines are fuzzy, the thematic resonance of a fallen, wandering Elf lord is strong. Plus, Maglor's fate was always ambiguous in the books. Could the show be adapting that?
- Sauron's Prisoner/Reluctant Pawn: Season 2 trailers hint Adar is captured. By whom? Likely Sauron's forces. Imagine Sauron forcing Adar, through torture or magical domination, to help him control the orc legions more effectively. Adar's knowledge of his "children" makes him invaluable, even if he hates Sauron. This could lead to powerful scenes of resistance or tragic subjugation.
- The Uruk Messiah: Adar sees the orcs as a people deserving of a home. Could he evolve into a dark mirror of figures like Aragorn? A reluctant leader fighting for his people's survival against both Sauron and the Elves/Men who despise them? This path could add incredible moral ambiguity to the show. Are the orcs inherently evil, or just victims seeking refuge?
- Doomed Rebel: The simplest path. Adar tries to defy Sauron in Mordor and gets brutally crushed as an example. While dramatic, it feels a bit wasteful for such a layered character. I hope they avoid this.
Personally, I lean towards a mix of Theory 2 and 3. I think Adar will be forced to serve Sauron initially, perhaps even participating in the forging of the other Rings or the early conquests. But his rebellion will simmer, leading to a pivotal moment where he might sacrifice himself to disrupt Sauron's plans, finally gaining a measure of redemption or achieving his goal of securing the orcs' place, however dark. It would be a fittingly tragic end for the First Orc.
Adar's Significance: Why This Character Matters
Beyond just asking "who is Adar in Rings of Power," we need to understand why he matters to the overall story. His inclusion is a bold move by the showrunners, adding depth to Tolkien's lore in several crucial ways:
- Humanizing the "Monsters": Tolkien himself wrestled with the inherent evil of orcs. Adar forces us to confront their origins. They aren't just born evil; they were made, tortured, corrupted. It adds moral complexity. When Adar speaks of the orcs as his children who "remember the light," it challenges the simplistic view prevalent elsewhere.
- Filling the Second Age Void: Tolkien wrote less about this period. Adar provides a tangible, active antagonist bridging the gap between Morgoth's defeat and Sauron's full rise. He's the architect of Mordor, making Sauron's later occupation possible.
- Exploring Elf Trauma: The Elves carry the weight of Ages. Adar embodies the absolute worst trauma an Elf can suffer – the destruction of their very essence. He's a dark mirror to Galadriel's own struggles with darkness and vengeance.
- Driving Key Plot Points: Mordor's creation is arguably the most significant event of Season 1, and Adar is its direct cause. His actions set the stage for everything to come – the Last Alliance, the Rings of Power's corruption, Isildur's future.
Is Adar's character flawless? Honestly, no. Some fans felt the Southlands plot dragged at times, and Waldreg turning the key felt a bit convenient. I get that criticism. But overall, Adar injects a unique and desperately needed perspective into the epic fantasy landscape. He forces us to question who the real monsters are.
Addressing the Book Fans: Canon vs. Adaptation
Alright, Tolkien purists, let's address the elephant in the room: Adar isn't in the Silmarillion or Tolkien's notes on the Second Age. He's an original creation for the show. Does this break lore? Not necessarily. Tolkien explicitly stated that the earliest orcs were corrupted Elves (though he later toyed with other ideas). The existence of the very first corrupted Elf, especially one who survived for Ages and retained some agency, is logically plausible within the framework Tolkien established. The show is exploring the implications of that lore in a creative way. Think of it like filling in a blank canvas Tolkien left, using the colors and themes he provided. Is it a perfect fit? Maybe not for everyone. But does it fundamentally break the spirit of the legendarium? I don't think so. It adds a tragic dimension to the orcs' origin that Tolkien himself grappled with.
Key Scenes Defining Adar
To truly grasp who is Adar in Rings of Power, you need to see him in action. Here are the pivotal scenes that define him:
| Episode | Scene | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 3: "Adar" | First appearance, revealed as leader of the Orcs occupying the Southlands. | Establishes his command, the orcs' reverence for him ("Lord Father"), and introduces the mystery. |
| Episode 5: "Partings" | Orders Arondir imprisoned; oversees the tunnel digging project. | Shows his strategic mind and the scale of his plan. Reveals his calm, methodical nature. |
| Episode 6: "Udûn" | 1. Sunlight Scene: Walks into sunlight, touches it gently, showing pain/connection to Elven past. 2. Confrontation w/ Galadriel: Reveals he is not Sauron ("After all I endured at his hand?"), calls orcs his children. 3. Triggers the Eruption: Commands Waldreg to turn the key, creating Mordor. |
1. Deepens the tragedy and connection to his origins. 2. Confirms origin (first Orc), hatred for Sauron, paternal view of orcs. 3. Culmination of his plan, establishes him as a major historical force. |
| Season 2 Trailer | Brief shot of Adar appearing captive (location/situation unclear). | Sets up his Season 2 conflict, likely with Sauron now ruling Mordor. |
That sunlight scene in Episode 6? Pure chills. It lasts only seconds, but it tells you more about who is Adar in Rings of Power than pages of dialogue could. It shows the lingering Elf within, the being who remembers the light of the Trees, now forever scarred and separated from it. Mawle played that moment perfectly – a mix of longing, pain, and acceptance. Powerful stuff.
Your Burning Adar Questions Answered (FAQ)
Who is Adar in Rings of Power? FAQ
Q: Who is Adar in Rings of Power exactly?
A: Adar is an original character for the show. He is portrayed as one of the very first Elves captured and horrifically twisted by Morgoth (Sauron's master) in the First Age, becoming the progenitor of the Orcs. His name means "Father" in Sindarin Elvish, reflecting the orcs' view of him as their creator and leader.
Q: Is Adar Sauron?
A: No, absolutely not. This was a major Season 1 mystery, but it was definitively answered. Adar explicitly denies it when Galadriel asks, showing deep-seated hatred for Sauron due to torment he endured at his hands during his transformation. Adar is a separate entity with his own goals.
Q: Why did Adar create Mordor?
A: Adar's driving motivation is to create a permanent homeland for the Orcs, whom he sees as his "children." He believes they deserve a place free from persecution and sunlight (which physically harms them). The volcanic, ash-clouded land created after Mount Doom's eruption becomes Mordor – the perfect, sunless refuge he sought.
Q: Who plays Adar? And why the recast?
A: Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones' Benjen Stark) originated the role in Season 1. Due to reported personal reasons, Mawle left the show. Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders, The Sandman) has taken over the role for Season 2 onwards.
Q: Is Adar based on a Tolkien book character?
A: Adar himself is not directly from Tolkien's writings. However, his origin as an Elf corrupted into the first Orc is based on Tolkien's earlier concept (found in The Silmarillion and his letters) for the origin of Orcs. The show gives this concept a face and a name.
Q: Why does Adar hate sunlight?
A: As a corrupted Elf turned proto-orc, Adar (and his orc "children") are physically pained by direct sunlight. This is a consistent trait for orcs in Tolkien's legendarium. The scene where he touches the sunlight highlights this vulnerability and his tragic separation from the light his original Elven form loved.
Q: What is Adar's relationship with Galadriel?
A: It's deeply antagonistic but fascinatingly complex. Galadriel sees him as the ultimate abomination and a key enemy. Adar sees Galadriel (and all Elves opposing him) as hypocrites who refuse to acknowledge the orcs' right to exist. Their confrontation in Episode 6 reveals core truths about both characters.
Q: Will Adar be in Season 2?
A: Yes! Trailers confirm Sam Hazeldine as Adar will appear in Season 2. He appears to be captured, setting up a likely confrontation with the now-revealed Sauron in Mordor.
The Legacy of the First Orc
So, who is Adar in Rings of Power? He's more than just a villain. He's a walking tragedy. A relic of the First Age's greatest horrors. A twisted father figure. The architect of Sauron's future stronghold. Joseph Mawle's haunting performance brought this original character to life with a complexity rarely seen in fantasy antagonists. While the recast is a hurdle, the character's foundation – his tragic origin, his hatred for Sauron, his paternal drive for the orcs – remains incredibly compelling.
Finding out who is Adar in Rings of Power fundamentally changed how I view the orcs in Tolkien's world. It adds a layer of pathos to every battle scene. Are they just mindless monsters, or refugees following the only father they've ever known? Adar forces that question. His actions directly created the desolate landscape of Mordor that defines so much of Tolkien's Third Age stories. Whether he becomes a doomed rebel against Sauron, a dark messiah for the orcs, or meets a tragic end, Adar has already cemented himself as one of the most intriguing and important additions The Rings of Power has made to Middle-earth's vast history. I, for one, can't wait to see where his dark path leads next.