SThe auron is on the horizon. But so far, the Dark Lord hasn’t been so easy to spot.
The iconic villain is expected to appear in the movie, according to fans. The Rings of PowerThe most awaited Lord of the RingsPrequel will be available on Prime Video starting Sept 2. The appendices outline his pivotal role as a member of the Second Age of Middle-earth. The Return of the KingThe show’s source material is. But the series’ executive producer says that popular fan theories about Sauron and the actor who portrays the villain are wrong.
It is around the clock The Rings of PowerIt takes place more than 3000 years ago, before the events in The Lord of the RingsSauron, his evil master Morgoth has defeated, is hiding. He eventually disguises himself and goes by the name Annatar in order to trick the elven smiths into showing him how to channel power into the rings they forge, knowledge he later uses to create the titular rings of power—including the one precious ring that helps him nearly take over all of Middle-earth.
Learn More: The Rings of Power: The most expensive show ever made!
The show’s future has been speculated on by fans for many months. They’ve combed the various trailers and publicity shots. Some theorize that fans have already seen his image—or at least his Annatar guise. TIME spoke with Lindsey Weber, executive producer of the show. She said the fan theories could be wrong.
Where? It Rings of Power dropped a new trailer at San Diego Comic-Con in July, fans found a leading contender for Sauron: A new, mysterious character with villainous vibes and a close-cropped, bleach blonde haircut that fans on Twitter hastened to point out was reminiscent of Eminem’s iconic look.
This character was quickly embraced by fans. was being playedAnson Boon, actor. They’re wrong on that count.
Reporting my latest cover story for TIME The Rings of PowerWeber revealed exclusively that Weber misidentified that actor from the trailer. The mysterious person is played by Bridie Sisson, who previously starred in Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop. And while Weber would not confirm the name of Sisson’s character, she did offer a tantalizing hint about her origins.
Learn More: Exclusive: The Fan Favorite Character Joins the Second Season of Rings of Power
“We are enjoying all the speculation online and can tell you Bridie Sisson is an incredible actor,” Weber said. “We also thought fans might like to know that her character is traveling from far to the east—from the lands of Rhûn…”
Tolkien buffs will already know that Rhûn was home to a people called the Easterlings in the Second and Third Ages. Rhûn also happens to be Sauron’s stomping grounds. The dark lord consolidates power in the East, and soldiers from Rhûn fight alongside orcs and other men in his armies against the men of the West.
Learn More: 11 Secrets to Power: We learned them from the Creators and Cast
Back to Slim Shady’s lookalike. Could Sisson’s mysterious character be Sauron in disguise? I’m skeptical: The character appears to be too obviously evil—furrowed brow, hood pulled up, with a scowl on her face. It also seems like Sauron’s reveal wouldn’t come in a trailer but during some pivotal moment in the show itself. However, this character could also be one his servants or something else.
Here are more must-read stories from TIME
