The Rings of Power is set to delve deeper into Elrond's rich family history in its upcoming third season, with the exclusive reveal that his twin brother, Elros, will be introduced. Robert Aramayo, who has portrayed Elrond in the first two seasons, will also take on the role of Elros. This casting marks a significant expansion of Tolkien's legendarium within the series, bringing to life a character central to the founding of Númenor.
Previously, Elros made a subtle appearance in a tapestry in season one, but the showrunners, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, felt it was essential to explore his story further, especially with Elrond's journey to Númenor. Season three will feature a flashback scene depicting the moment Elros chooses mortality, a decision that profoundly shaped his and Elrond's destinies. While Tolkien's canon established them as twins, the series emphasizes their identical appearance despite their divergent paths—one embracing elven immortality, the other human life.
"Elros makes this decision that's so different from Elrond's," Payne told Polygon. "He chose to be an elf. He chose immortality, and his brother chose mortality — and chose Númenor." This flashback occurs before Elrond travels to Númenor seeking aid against Sauron, serving as a poignant memory as he contemplates his mission.
Aramayo approached the characters from opposite ends of the spectrum. For Elros, he focused on the qualities that would lead to the founding of Númenor, aiming to embody an "earth" and "humanness." Conversely, Elrond, for Aramayo, evokes imagery of "wings and air," connected to his mother Elwing's transformation into a bird. This distinction highlights the core difference in their choices: Elros's deep connection to the mortal men he led, whom he chose to join in their fate by founding and leading Númenor. Elrond, on the other hand, faced the impending loss of his twin, a recurring theme in his long life.
The choice between immortality and mortality for Elros also resonates with future events, notably Elrond's daughter Arwen's own pivotal decision thousands of years later. While Aramayo acknowledges the vast time and subsequent losses Elrond experiences, he believes his brother's choice remains an "unresolved" element within him.
Tolkien described death as the "Gift of Men," an unknown fate that differs from the elves' destiny in the Halls of Mandos. For the Edain, the men who inherited Númenor, this uncertainty could make mortality seem both "exciting and a gift" or terrifying, a tension that would ultimately affect Númenor itself. This proximity to mortality, however, may have shaped Elrond into the elf he becomes, fostering his instinct for preservation and protection, epitomized by his creation of Rivendell. His familiarity with human mortality also contributes to his unique ability to understand and connect with other races, such as his friendship with Durin.
Upon arriving in Númenor, Elrond finds a kingdom deeply divided and increasingly hostile towards elves. He is confronted with the legacy of his brother, a king revered through statues and tapestries, yet also a civilization that seems to have forgotten its past. This disconnect is deeply troubling for Elrond, as Númenor represents his brother's life's work. "Númenor is his brother in the same way that Rivendell is Elrond," Aramayo explained. Witnessing the state of the kingdom is thus a profound challenge for him, as it signifies that even his brother's legacy may not be immortal.