The Hobbit star Richard Armitage explained why he refuses to tune into Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Per Radio Times, Armitage, who portrayed Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy starring Martin Freeman, offered fans a simple explanation for why he refuses to watch The Lord of the Rings series. When asked if he had any particular turn-offs in terms of television, Armitage responded, "After two and a half years of Middle-Earth, I’m not drawn to fantasy anymore." He added, "It's really, really thin... But so are our movie news choices today."

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The Rings of Power debuted on Prime Video in September 2022, albeit to a lukewarm response regarding overall viewership. Amazon Studios CEO Jennifer Salke has maintained that the series is a success in spite of the relatively low audience numbers. "This desire to paint the show as anything less than a success — it’s not reflective of any conversation I’m having internally," she said.

In April, star Sophia Nomvete, who portrays Princess Disa in the series, gave fans a hint at things to come in the upcoming second season. "I cannot tell you how excited I am," Nomvete said. "Because there’s just more of everything. Season 1 was this glorious introduction... And that's what we see, the peaceful phase, the introductory phase." Nomvete also discussed the impending introduction of the franchise's iconic villain, Sauron, in Season 2. "It is absolutely mind-blowing. I hope I'm allowed to say that but it's so desperately exciting.... There is a lot to play for," she said.

RELATED: Will Halbrand Continue Tempting Galadriel in The Rings of Power Season 2?

How Will the Strike Affect Season 2?

While the cast and crew have been outspoken on their love for the series, the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike has sent production into a tailspin, though it hasn't been shut down. Reportedly, the last two weeks of shooting on The Rings of Power Season 2 will be completed as planned, but without the presence of its showrunners, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. According to the WGA's rules for the strike, Payne and McKay are barred from carrying on in their usual duties as writer-producers for the duration of the strike. As such, non-writing executive producers, directors, and crew members will be taking over for Payne and McKay on set, presumably for the rest of production.

Season 1 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is currently streaming on Prime Video. Season 2 does not now have a planned release date.

Source: Radio Times