Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8!The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay have addressed theories that the Dark Wizard is Saruman, offering a definitive answer to the idea. The Dark Wizard (Ciarn Hinds) was first introduced as an antagonist when the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), Nori (Markella Kavenaugh), and Poppy (Megan Richards) first traveled into Rhn. The end of The Rings of Power season 2 saw him call the Stranger an “old friend,” with his long beard and staff leading some to believe the evil magician is actually Saruman the White.
