{
  "id": 19472729,
  "title": "The Dark Wizards true identity in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a Tolkien deep cut",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/the-dark-wizards-true-identity-in-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-11T08:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mashable",
    "slug": "mashable",
    "url": "https://mashable.com/entertainment/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-pallando-blue-wizard"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power introduces a previously unknown character in Season 3, the Dark Wizard, whose real name is Pallando. He is one of the five Istari, known as the Blue Wizards, who were sent by the Valar to Middle-earth to fight against Sauron. Pallando arrived with a partner, but his ambitions led him to kill Alatar, his partner, which cursed Rhûn and turned it into a desert. In a discussion with Gandalf, the Secret Fire reveals Pallando's true name and the role he played in Middle-earth. The Rings of Power takes creative liberties with Pallando's story, as it is not entirely consistent with Tolkien's original works.",
  "summary": "\"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power\" confirms that the Dark Wizard is the Istar Pallando. Here's what that means.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}