Though there was some backlash when fans learned that Prime Video's Lord of the Rings prequel series, The Rings of Power, would include new characters who never featured in Tolkien's lore, Adar proved to be one of the more popular additions.
So, the news that the role of the enigmatic Orc leader/Moriondor/Uruk had been recast was met with a lot of disappointment.
Game of Thrones alum Joseph Mawle did an excellent job as Adar, but Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders, The Sandman) will take over for the upcoming second season.
Mawle has now addressed his departure on social media.
Mawle doesn't reveal why he decided to step away from the role, but it sounds like another opportunity may have come his way that he didn't feel he could pass up. There is probably more to it, but we may never find out exactly what went down.
Hazeldine joins fellow new cast members Gabriel Akuwudike (Hanna), Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour (The Witcher), Ben Daniels (The Crown), Amelia Kenworthy (making her TV debut), Nia Towle (Persuasion), and Nicholas Woodeson (Silent Witness). No details in their characters have been provided.
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