The Stranger Being An OG LOTR Character On Rings Of Power Wasn't Always The Plan, And The Showrunners Explained Why

Image from Cinemablend

• The character of The Stranger, revealed to be a young Gandalf, was not originally intended to be in the series, say showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.
• According to the showrunners, the decision to include The Stranger as a pivotal character was made late in the writing process, adding a new and exciting layer to the Second Age narrative.