The Rings of Power Season 2 Teases New Beasts from Middle Earth

 Rings of Power

Season 2 is set to premiere on August 29, 2024 on Prime Video globally.

It continues the saga of the Second Age of Middle-earth: the forging of the Rings, the rise of Sauron (played by Charlie Vickers), and the unraveling of several realms (Elves, Dwarves, Númenóreans).

According to the official synopsis: “the Middle-earth heroes will also be facing a variety of terrifying creatures in Season 2, including the undead Barrow-wights … a Hill-troll … and a returning sea creature that was first seen in S1

The Beasts & Creatures: What’s New & What’s Returning

Here’s a breakdown of the major beasts teased for Season 2, including how they might (or do) fit into Tolkien lore, how the show is using them, and why their inclusion matters.

The trailer reveals tree-like sentient beings — the Ents — joining the fray.

Nerdist: “In addition to some terrifying beasts… we’ll be revisiting some truly iconic figures… Ents and a young Shelob will make their presence felt.”

NerdistWhy it matters: Ents have rich mythology in Tolkien’s legendarium (e.g., created by Yavanna to protect trees), and their inclusion suggests deepening the world beyond just humanoids and orcs. In the show, one voice-over talks of “forgiveness takes an age,” as an Ent appears.

Tip: Expect scenes of forests under threat, trees fighting back, and possibly a brutal “nature fights back” angle (which was teased by cast as well)

The trailer and features reveal a “Sea Worm” (or sea creature) among the threats.

From TechRadar: “The creature she encounters in both trailers is a Sea Worm.”

TechRadar

Yardbarker mentions the “sea monster” not yet fully identified in Tolkien’s lore.

YardbarkerThe show confirms “undead Barrow-wights (who are described as ‘ancient, reanimated heroes, acting for evil against their will’)”.

About Amazon

From AboutAmazon: production notes talk of a sequence involving Barrow-wights in Episode 4, marrying practical effects + digital effects.

About Amazon

Why they stand out: The undead take on Middle­-earth fantasy adds horror-elements; namely fear of the past revisiting, ghostly warriors, tomb settings.

Tip: Scenes might include burial chambers, crypts, eerie atmospheres, maybe slower moving but deeply unsettling monsters.

5. Hill-Trolls & Other Monsters

Why it matters: Adds a nautical or aquatic threat dimension (not just land). The “sea worm” is less defined in original lore, offering the show creative space.

Tip: Expect sequences on the water, coastlines, maybe ship/raft scenes, and fear of deep-sea/deep-water monsters.

Why the “New Beasts” Matter in Story & Production

Expanding the monster menagerie: The show isn’t just ramping up humans, elves, dwarves and orcs — it’s broadening the mythological scope via creatures.

Visual spectacle + threat elevation: Monster threat equals dramatic tension. The beasts raise the stakes beyond political or military.

Lore exploration: Some creatures (Ents, Barrow-wights) are deeply embedded in myth; others (sea worm) less so — giving creative flexibility.

Production ambition: Interview bits mention marrying practical effects and digital enhancements (Barrow-wights sequence).

Thematic depth: Creatures like Ents evoke themes of nature’s guardianship, environmental retribution; undead Barrow-wights evoke history’s hauntings; spiders/seas evoke primal fear.