"Ring of Power" Season 2 will be available on Prime Video this summer, and as far as Sauron is concerned, there is trouble in Middle-earth.

The recent teaser trailer for Season 2 makes this idea abundantly clear. The trailer revolves almost entirely around the looming threat to Tolkien's world, climaxing with the first appearance of Charlie Vickers as Sauron, showing off his raw power.

However, new interviews reveal just how central a role Sauron plays. Sauron's ascendancy is so important, in fact, that the "Ring of Power" showrunners believe it is the reason they created the show in the first place. Patrick McKay likens Sauron to the great characters who have graced the small screen, and believes the story has plenty of potential.

Speaking to Empire, McKay said: "If I had to pick one reason to make this show and set it in this period of mythology, that would be it. From the very first episode, we talked about Milton's Paradise Lost, Walter White and Tony Soprano, and the possibility of Sauron being like these great villainous heroes (hero meaning protagonist). That is the greatest story that has not been told on screen."

He admitted that now that Sauron's mask has been unmasked, his presence in this version of Middle-earth should begin to pull at various plot threads.

Now, McKay gave us a clear idea about that, too. If you like Tolkien, you know that at this stage of the Second Age, Sauron adopted a kindly appearance so that he could begin to influence others.

Instead of the massive, armor-clad figure of Peter Jackson's "Fellowship of the Ring" prologue, at this point he was cut around as Anathar, "Lord of Gifts." Ostensibly a useful being, he offered his knowledge to the others (including the gifted blacksmith Celebrimbor). Secretly, he forged the "One Ring" so that he could bind those who wore other magical rings.

The Empire report names him as "Annatar." The synopsis reads: "Sauron has returned. Exiled by Galadriel and without an army or allies, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to restore power and oversee the creation of a "ring of power" that will allow him to bind all the people of Middle-earth to his sinister will.

"Building on the epic scale and ambition of Season One, the new season will challenge even the most beloved and vulnerable characters to find their place in a world that is caught in a rising tide of darkness and teetering on the brink of disaster. Elves and dwarves, orcs and humans, wizards and halflings ...... As friendships fray and kingdoms begin to divide, the forces of good are more important than anything else...... will struggle more valiantly than ever to protect each other."

In addition to Sauron, the new season will feature another beloved character in live action, with Rory Kinnear cast as an enigmatic being of immense power called Tom Bombadil.