We’re heading back to Middle-earth! The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power returns to Prime Video today (Wednesday 11 November 2026) for its third season, bringing us another eight episodes as Sauron prepares to forge the One Ring. And there’s good news for fans who have been waiting over two years for the show’s return, because the first four episodes are being released together today.

Prime Video has changed its usual release schedule for the new season, meaning viewers will be able to watch all eight episodes by Wednesday 25 November, just two weeks after today’s premiere. The new episodes also bring a five-year time jump following the fall of Eregion, with Middle-earth now at war and Sauron closer than ever to achieving his plans.

The Rings of Power Season 3: Full Episode Release Schedule

Unlike the previous seasons, which followed a more traditional weekly release, season three will arrive in three batches throughout November. Here’s when every episode will be available on Prime Video:

Episode 1 – Wednesday 11 November 2026
Episode 2 – Wednesday 11 November 2026
Episode 3 – Wednesday 11 November 2026
Episode 4 – Wednesday 11 November 2026
Episode 5 – Wednesday 18 November 2026
Episode 6 – Wednesday 18 November 2026
Episode 7 – Wednesday 25 November 2026
Episode 8 (Season Finale) – Wednesday 25 November 2026

All eight episodes will therefore be available before the end of November, giving fans the chance to watch four episodes today before returning for two more next Wednesday.

What Happens in The Rings of Power Season 3?

Season three picks up five years after the destruction of Eregion, with Sauron’s armies having conquered much of Middle-earth. The Dark Lord is now working from his newly completed fortress of Barad-dûr in Mordor, determined to create the One Ring and finally take control of the remaining kingdoms.

The Dwarves have retreated into Khazad-dûm, while the Elven realms of Lindon and Rivendell remain protected by their Three Rings. Over in Númenor, political tensions are threatening to tear the kingdom apart, and Gandalf faces his own battles in the eastern lands of Rhûn. With Sauron preparing to forge the most powerful Ring of all, the Elves, Dwarves, Men and Wizards must find a way to work together before he gains complete control of Middle-earth.

The new season sees Charlie Vickers return as Sauron, alongside Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Robert Aramayo as Elrond and Daniel Weyman as Gandalf.

There are some exciting new additions to the cast too, including Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower as Celeborn, Galadriel’s long-lost husband, Eddie Marsan as Thrain and Zubin Varla as Khamûl. Simon Pegg also joins the series as the voice of the Balrog.

For CultureCues, it’s so good to finally be heading back to Middle-earth. It’s been over two years since season two, and we’ve been waiting rather impatiently for the show’s return. With Sauron getting closer to forging the One Ring, there’s plenty to look forward to, and having Jamie Campbell Bower joining the cast makes it even better. We love him, so we can’t wait to see him as Celeborn! The new release schedule is great too, because after waiting this long, getting four episodes on the same day is brilliant. Although, knowing us, we’ll tell ourselves we’re only watching one and end up sitting there for hours. One Ring to rule them all, and four episodes to ruin our evening plans.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three premieres today, Wednesday 11 November 2026, exclusively on Prime Video, with the first four episodes released together.

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