Who are The Rings of Power’s mysterious white-robed people?
This summer, as the first glimpses of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power came to light, there was one character in particular who grabbed fan attention and held it fast: a white-robed figure, with closely shorn hair and paper-white skin. In the absence of any other indications, the creepy appearance and overtly menacing stare led fans to a single hunch: This was the show’s version of Sauron!
Well, with the fifth episode of The Rings of Power, that mysterious white-robed character has finally made an appearance, and left only more questions in their wake. Tolkien’s source material provides hints at where the story may be going, and what relation the characters do have to Sauron, The Stranger, and the show’s other mysteries.
[Ed. note: This piece contains spoilers for episode 5 of The Rings of Power, “Partings.”]
Our mysterious Sauron-potential makes her debut early in the episode, as one of a trio of figures who seem to be seeking the equally mysterious meteor man known as the Stranger. The episode’s credits refer to her as “the Dweller,” and she’s played by Bridie Sisson; with her companions the Nomad (played by Edith Poor in the helmet with flowing red hair) and the Ascetic (played by Kali Kopae, hooded and carrying a round… thing).
They are pale of skin and pale of robes, and carry a selection of odd accoutrements. The Dweller has an ornate staff, while the Ascetic brandishes a metal disk or dish emblazoned with circles and a crescent. The Nomad’s armor contains several motifs of eyes and circles — and fingers, interlaced over the top of her helm.
We know more key detail beyond what’s on screen in episode 5: Speaking to Time magazine, Rings of Power executive producer Lindsey Weber said that these characters
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