The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is finally here. After what has felt like an eternity of anticipation, fans are finally able to venture back to Middle-earth. The new series tells a story many fans of the previous cinematic adaptions will be unfamiliar with. As a result, there are characters many won’t have seen before – such as Durin. So, who is Durin in The Rings of Power?
Firstly, let’s discuss The Rings of Power and how it fits into the wider The Lord of the Rings universe.
Amazon’s new TV show for Prime is set during the Second Age. This is thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, which take place during the Third Age.
While viewers will undoubtedly be familiar with the events of those films – as well as the books they’re based on – The Rings of Power isn’t based on any one specific work by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Instead, The Rings of Power combines material and lore from The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and its appendices to create its narrative.
In the show’s first two episodes, viewers are introduced to a huge cast of characters. During the second episode – “Adrift” – Celebrimbor reveals his plans to construct a forge-tower to Elrond. However, they require the help of the Dwarves to do this, so travel to Khazad-dûm (also known as Moria).
Elrond intends to meet with his old friend Prince Durin IV to discuss their requirements. However, he is greeted with hostility. He invokes the rite of sigin-tarâg to gain entry, which leads to a rock-breaking contest between Elrond and Durin.
Durin isn’t a character many viewers will be familiar with. So, who is Durin in The Ring of Power?
Who is Durin in The Rings of Power?
Despite an apparent friendly relationship, it’s clear that Durin has soured on Elrond and he doesn’t receive him warmly at Khazad-dûm.
Who is Durin in The Rings of Power? Prince Durin IV is the son of King Durin III – King of Durin’s Folk – who also appears in The Rings of Power. He lives in Khazad-dûm, the underground Dwarven kingdom, with the rest of his people and wife Disa. He has lived a less isolated life than his father.
Durin is portrayed by actor Owain Arthur in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Upon Elrond’s arrival at Khazad-dûm, he engages in a rock-breaking contest with Durin IV. And while Elrond believes they are friends, Durin clearly disagrees. Durin wins the contest and attempts to banish Elrond.
Their friendship goes back decades, but the two disconnected when Elrond missed Durin’s wedding and the birth of his children. This made Durin furious with Elrond. Although after having dinner with Durin and his wife, Elrond convinces the prince to hear his proposal.
Durin takes the proposal to his father King Durin III, who is sceptical.
**POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER AHEAD**
In Tolkien’s works, Durin III is the first holder of the most powerful Dwarf ring – the Ring of Thrór. The ring is later held by Durin IV.
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