‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ is an action fantasy series on Amazon Prime. It is based on the famous novel ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and its extra writings by J. R. R. Tolkien. The series is created by J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay. The story is set thousands of years before the events of ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies. It shows the peaceful time during the Second Age of Middle-earth and some major events like the making of the Rings of Power, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the fall of Númenor, and the last big alliance between Elves and Men.
In this series, fans see both new and old characters. You might also notice some familiar locations from the movies. So, it’s natural to wonder if the series was filmed in the same places as the movies.
Where was “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Filmed?
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ was filmed in New Zealand, across both the North and South Islands. The main filming for the first season started in early February 2020 but had to stop in mid-March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The filming crew returned to work in early May 2020 with new safety rules given by the New Zealand government. After a few more planned breaks, the shooting was finally completed in early August 2021.
During filming, it was reported that at least three stunt performers had serious injuries on the set. One of them, Dayna Grant, had a brain aneurysm and an upper spinal injury after hitting her head. For the scenes with dwarf and Harfoot actors, the team used different tricks to make them look shorter than the other actors. They used oversized props, special makeup, and even had actors look over the heads of their scene partners in a smart way. Now, let’s look at the specific locations where the series was filmed!
North Island, New Zealand
Auckland Film Studios: Many important scenes for the first season of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ were filmed on the North Island, one of the two main islands of New Zealand. About two-thirds of the first season was shot in film studios, while the rest was filmed in outdoor locations. The crew used the Auckland Film Studios at 12 Hickory Avenue, Henderson, in Auckland. This big film studio has five stages spread across 81,500 square feet. Besides these stages, there are six other multi-purpose buildings that make it a perfect place for making movies and TV shows.
Kumeu Film Studios: Kumeu Film Studios in Kumeū, a short distance from central Auckland, was another major filming location for the first season. This studio is spread over 27 hectares and has two soundstages, a workshop, several manufacturing spaces, two water tanks, production offices, and 12 hectares of forest. The cast and crew also filmed at Kelly Park Film Studios at 911 Haruru Road, Wainui. This film studio has all the features and services needed for different types of on-screen projects.
Hobbit Movie Set: The famous Hobbit Movie Set at 501 Buckland Road, Matamata, was also used to film some scenes for the first season. For filming on location, the crew set up camps in different parts of the North Island, including Auckland, Hauraki Gulf, the Coromandel Peninsula, Piha, Rangitikei District, Muriwai, and the Denize Bluffs in the King Country. North Island, also known as Te Ika-a-Māui, has been the filming location for many movies and TV shows over the years, such as ‘The Power of the Dog,’ ‘Evil Dead,’ ‘No Exit,’ ‘Spartacus,’ and ‘The Wilds.’
South Island, New Zealand
Queenstown, Manapouri, and Other Locations: Several important parts of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ season 1 were filmed on South Island, the larger of the two main islands of New Zealand. The crew used different locations across the island to film key scenes for the first season, including Queenstown, Manapouri, Central Otago, and Mount Kidd in Fiordland. The Kahurangi National Park was also an important filming spot.
Unnamed Beach on South Island: In the first season, the cast and crew even used several coastlines of New Zealand. One beach on South Island, which doesn’t have a name and can only be reached by boat or helicopter, was used as the entrance to Númenor’s harbor in the show. The rock formations around this beach matched the description of the harbor’s entrance, making it the perfect spot for filming these scenes.
These were the beautiful and diverse locations used to bring ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ to life on the screen.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Q: Where was ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ filmed?
A: The series was filmed in New Zealand, with scenes shot on both the North and South Islands. Major filming locations include Auckland, Kumeu, Queenstown, and Fiordland.
Q: When was ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ filmed?
A: Filming started in early February 2020 but had to pause in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team resumed work in May 2020, and filming was completed in August 2021.
Q: When was ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ released?
A; The series premiered on Amazon Prime on September 1, 2022.
Q: What are some of the main locations used in the series?
A: Key locations include Auckland Film Studios, Kumeu Film Studios, Kelly Park Film Studios, and outdoor sites like the Hauraki Gulf and Denize Bluffs.
Q: Why was New Zealand chosen for filming?
A: New Zealand was chosen for its stunning landscapes, which fit the fantasy world of the series. The country also has modern film studios and a history of successful film productions.
