Rings of Power star reveals what it really took to film season 3’s most brutal death

So, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has cranked up the emotional carnage in Season 3, landing what may well be its most gutting moment yet. In Episode 4, they actually go there: Theo kills Arondir – his surrogate dad, no less – after sliding over to Sauron’s dark side as a full-blown Nazgûl. If you thought Amazon might flinch on giving us a proper tragedy, think again.

The scene behind the scene

Tyroe Muhafidin, who plays Theo, sat down for a chat about just how bleak that whole death was to shoot – and it turns out, filming wasn’t any easier than watching it. That final goodbye between Theo and Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) took a solid two weeks, so emotions ran wild on both sides of the camera. Muhafidin described it as not just another tragic fantasy moment, but 'a big celebration of Ismael' and everything his co-star brought to the table over the years.

Reflecting on the process, Muhafidin told ScreenRant, 'Some days it would hit him more, and some days it would hit me more.' He described sharing quiet moments with Córdova off set, letting the weight of the whole thing sink in together.

‘A really, really beautiful send-off to such a strong, amazing character’ is how Muhafidin now sums it up, and you get the sense they’re not just talking about Arondir, but the end of a partnership on- and off-screen that’s lasted since the show’s start.

Just in case anyone wonders if that goodbye was a big put-on – apparently not. Muhafidin said the pair gave themselves time and space to actually process it all as they went along. Actual mates, not just co-workers. That real bond apparently gave the scene its punch.

Where Theo goes from here

It’s not all evil grins and twirly moustaches for Theo from now on. Muhafidin hinted that being Sauron’s new servant doesn’t erase everything inside Theo. In fact, he said the fallout is just beginning. Here’s his tease:

Speaking about upcoming episodes, Muhafidin explained, 'We’re gonna watch him fight for himself in whatever way he can,' and said Theo is now at 'a place of no return.'

This isn’t just a sudden pivot either – there’s been build-up. Theo’s link to darkness was flogged since Series 1, with the cursed sword hilt and Arondir’s own visions, including a particularly nasty opening fight sequence this season where Arondir hallucinates killing someone who briefly looks like Theo.

Muhafidin made it clear guilt’s going to gnaw at Theo for the rest of the season. There’s still autonomy there, at least for now, but he’ll have to deal with what he’s done. That internal battle – between who Theo was, who he’s become, and whether he’s completely lost – is set to drive the back half of the series.

The Rings of Power killed off Arondir in Episode 4 of Season 3 – the show’s biggest main character death so far.