Production is officially underway for the third season of Netflix’s hit action-comedy-crime drama The Gentlemen, and the stylish underworld created by Guy Ritchie is about to get a major injection of cinematic royalty. In a casting coup that bridges two massive franchises, the upcoming season will feature not one, but two foundational members of the legendary Fellowship of the Ring.
Netflix has confirmed that Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom are among the high-profile actors joining the ensemble cast for season 3. The duo is universally recognized for their iconic portrayals of Frodo Baggins and Legolas, respectively, in Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. While both actors subsequently reprised their roles in separate installments of the prequel The Hobbit trilogy—appearing in different entries and thus never sharing the screen during those productions—The Gentlemen marks the very first time Wood and Bloom will work together since the original trilogy concluded with 2003’s monumental The Return of the King.
The addition of the two fantasy icons brings a unique meta-layer of pop culture excitement to Ritchie’s fast-paced, sharp-witted British crime series, which is anchored by star Theo James. Known for its distinct blend of aristocratic eccentricity, razor-sharp dialogue, and brutal criminal enterprise, The Gentlemen provides a starkly different sandbox for Wood and Bloom compared to the sweeping fantasy landscapes of Middle-earth.
They will not be the only heavy hitters walking onto the set for the new season. Netflix also announced that celebrated Scottish actor Robert Carlyle has boarded the project. Carlyle, whose storied career spans decades, is widely celebrated for his unforgettable turns in films like Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, as well as his beloved work on prominent television series including ABC’s fairy-tale drama Once Upon a Time and the sci-fi adventure Stargate: Universe.
The official commencement of production comes on the heels of the release of The Gentlemen season 2, which premiered this past September. Fans looking forward to seeing how Wood, Bloom, and Carlyle fit into the treacherous criminal empire led by James’ character will likely need to exercise patience. Following the established production timeline of the series—which saw a two-year gap between its first two seasons—industry expectations point toward a potential release window in 2028 for season 3.
What Lord of the Rings Actors Are Returning in The Hunt for Gollum?
The news of Wood and Bloom’s reunion arrives amidst a broader renaissance for The Lord of the Rings franchise across film and television. Warner Bros. has officially confirmed that a brand-new Middle-earth spinoff feature film titled The Hunt for Gollum is currently in production.
Andy Serkis, who brought the deeply tragic and complex creature to life through groundbreaking motion-capture performances, is firmly attached to direct the project. Serkis will also reprise his iconic role as the titular character. The narrative of The Hunt for Gollum is set to explore a specific timeline focusing on Aragorn’s perilous secret mission to track down the creature and extract vital information regarding the whereabouts of the One Ring before the forces of Mordor can get to him.
Amidst this expansion of Tolkien’s cinematic universe, original trilogy stars are returning alongside new talent. Elijah Wood is officially confirmed to make a triumphant return as Frodo Baggins, and legendary actor Ian McKellen will once again don the gray robes and pointed hat to reprise his role as Gandalf the Grey.
However, the passage of time and the nature of the prequel timeline mean that certain iconic roles are being recast for the upcoming feature. The role of Aragorn will be taken over by Jamie Dornan, recognized for his work in the Fifty Shades franchise and various dramatic thrillers, stepping into the boots previously worn by Viggo Mortensen.
The star-studded cast for The Hunt for Gollum further expands beyond Middle-earth veterans, boasting powerhouse additions such as Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Winslet, and Leo Woodall. Warner Bros. has slated the theatrical release for December 17, 2027.
Before audiences return to the cinematic big screen for The Hunt for Gollum, and long before the underworld antics of The Gentlemen season 3 arrive on Netflix, fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s expansive universe will have fresh material to stream. The next season of Amazon Prime Video’s high-fantasy prequel series The Rings of Power is scheduled to premiere on November 11, giving fantasy enthusiasts plenty of content to tide them over as production ramps up across multiple major entertainment fronts.
