The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunner Patrick McKay has defended the series following viewer criticism ahead of its upcoming third season.
The fantasy drama premieres on 11 November on Amazon Prime Video, after the opening two installments of the television narrative based on the universe of J.R.R. Tolkien caused disappointment among viewers.
McKay addressed the criticism directly, stating that while the creators value audience opinion, they remain confident in their creative choices and expect more from the upcoming season.
Showrunner response to viewer criticism
Speaking about the public reaction, McKay explained that the production team would not be doing their job properly if they did not care what people thought of their work. However, he said that this did not mean the audience suddenly became the ones in charge of the show.
McKay stated that the filmmakers listen to viewer feedback and want people to enjoy the drama, but noted that their own harshest and strictest critics are themselves. He added that the team intends to learn from both what works and what does not work, affirming that they are confident in their method and believe the production has gathered momentum for season three.
The fantasy series is set in the literary universe created by English author and scholar J.R.R. Tolkien, who is best known for writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. His books established the detailed fictional history of Middle-earth across multiple ages. Amazon Prime Video is the global subscription streaming service owned and operated by the technology company Amazon.
Season three release schedule
The third season will again consist of eight episodes broadcast through the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform.
Viewers will be able to watch four episodes immediately when the series launches on Wednesday, 11 November. The remaining episodes will then be released weekly on Wednesdays, leading up to the season finale on 25 November.
