‘Lord of the Rings’ Amazon TV Show Casting Begins with Markella Kavenagh

Amazon Prime’s ambitious billion-dollar production of “Lord of the Rings” has found its first cast member. Markella Kavenagh is the first actress to board the series which is eyed for a 2021 release.

Sources told Variety that Kavenagh will play a character named Tyra. However, t the rest of the details about her character has not been divulged.

Kavenagh’s acting credits include a role on “Romper Stomper,” an Australian television series and she has appeared in the TV productions of “Picnic at Hanging Rock” and “The Cry.” Not much else is known about the young star, whose professional credentials started only in 2018.

Meanwhile, Amazon has tapped “Star Trek” scribed JD Payne and Patrick McKay to write the “Lord of the Rings” series, while J.A. Bayona will be directing the first two episodes. He will also serve as executive producer.

“JRR Tolkien created one of the most extraordinary and inspiring stories of all time, and as a lifelong fan it is an honor and a joy to join this amazing team,” Bayona said following the announcement of his director duties, per Comic Book. “I can’t wait to take audiences around the world to Middle-earth and have them discover the wonders of the Second Age, with a never before seen story.”

“Lord of the Rings” will be a prequel to the film and will be set during the Second Age, before the downfall of Sauron. It appears like the series will depict the rise and fall of the story’s main villain, which will be spread over multiple seasons.

Given the timeline, none of the original characters are expected to be in the “Lord of the Rings” TV show except a younger Gandalf. Meanwhile, Peter Jackson, the director of the successful LOTR trilogy has expressed his willingness to help the TV production if he’s consulted on the show’s plot.

Filming for “Lord of the Rings” is expected to begin in winter or early 2020.