Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Rings of Power season 2.
Bronwyn is absent fromThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 due to her actor, Nazanin Boniadi, choosing not to return, presenting the character with a dark fate. As ofThe Rings of Powerseason 1’s ending, it became clear that Bronwyn was a central character of the show. Her arc was tied to the fate of the Southlands as she aided Arondir in rebelling against Adar and the orcs. Bronwyn survives the eruption ofLord of the Rings’Mount Doomand reunites with Arondir and her son, Theo.
WithThe Rings of Powerseason 2’s timelinepicking up immediately where season 1 left off, many were expecting Bronwyn to return. However, Nazanin Boniadi revealed that she chose not to come back to Middle-earth for a second adventure, marking a change inThe Rings of Power’s central cast. Naturally, questions will be raised over why Boniadi made this choice and what impact this has on the character of Bronwyn.
The Rings of Power season 2’s first three episodes are now available on Prime Video, with new episodes releasing every Thursday.
Why Nazanin Boniadi Doesn’t Return As Bronwyn In The Rings Of Power Season 2
The Actor Chose To Take A Break From Middle-earth
As alluded to, the choices surrounding Bronwyn inThe Rings of Powerseason 2 were made by Nazanin Boniadi. It is likely that the showrunners ofThe Rings of Powerintended to continue Bronwyn’s story, yet respected Boniadi’s decision nonetheless. The decision in question came shortly before the actor’s decision to step away from acting entirely in 2022, in order to focus on her activism that is tied to her home country of Iran.
Boniadi is an open supporter of the #WomanLifeFreedom movement in Iran, which focuses on amplifying the voices of Iranian women to raise awareness of the human rights crisis in the country. That said, Boniadi explained in anInstagrampost in May 2024 thather decision to step away fromThe Rings of Powerwas unrelated to her activism, and was more likely a choice that benefited her personally and professionallywhile having the unrelated benefit of allowing Boniadi to focus on movements she is passionate about.
How The Rings Of Power Season 2 Explains Bronwyn’s Death
Bronwyn Is Written Out Of The Show In Season 2’s Three-Episode Premiere
As a result of Boniadi’s choice not to return, the showrunners behindThe Rings of Powerseason 2 had to find a way to remove her character from proceedings. InThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 3, this choice becomes clear. This episode is the first to feature recurring season 1 characters like Isildur, Arondir, and Theo, catching viewers up on what has happened since the battle of the Southlands.
It is explained that Bronwyn was hit by an orc arrow laced with poison, which she quickly succumbed to…
Arondir’sRings of Powerseason 2 introduction shows him as much more vengeful than he was in season 1. It is soon revealed that the reason for this is that Bronwyn was killed off-screen. It is explained that Bronwyn was hit by an orc arrow laced with poison, which she quickly succumbed to. This fits with what is known of orcs, withThe Hobbittrilogy specifically describing Morgul shafts that almost killed Kili.
Unfortunately, Bronwyn suffered a similar fate only without healing from the elves ofThe Rings of Power.This leads to an emotional scene in which Bronwyn receives a funeral, orchestrated by Arondir and Theo. The ensuing storyline then details some tension between Theo and Arondir in light of Bronwyn’s death, showcasing that the character will still have an impact onThe Rings of Powerseason 2, all while explaining her absence from the show in light of Boniadi’s exit.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
