When real-life circumstances intervene in the filming of a fictional series, there are several paths a show can take. If an actor is no longer available to play a character, that character could be recast, they could be written off the story for a time, or they might be simply killed in the narrative to explain their absence. In June of 2024, Nazanin Boniadi, who played Bronwyn, announced that she would return in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two. And, of course, that left Bronwyn’s fate hanging in the balance. But what exactly happened to Bronwyn in the story of The Rings of Power after Boniadi departed from the series? Here’s what we learned about Bronwyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three, episode two.
What Happens to Bronwyn on The Rings of Power Season 2?
Alas, it seems that when Nazanin Boniadi revealed she would not return as Bronwyn in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two, she meant that her absence would be a permanent one. The third episode of The Rings of Power‘s second season reveals that Bronwyn has indeed met her death in the world of the show.
Bronwyn’s Death On The Rings of Power
But just how did Bronwyn die in The Rings of Power‘s world? After all, last we saw her, she and Arondir seemed ready to begin a new life together in Pelargir, a Númenorean colony in Middle-earth. Arondir explains that although she appeared to be recovering from her wounds, as we saw at the end of The Rings of Power season one, that recovery was a deceptive one. Instead, the series reveals there was orcish poison on the arrow that wounded Bronwyn during The Rings of Power season one’s sixth episode actually contained orcish poison. Though Bronwyn seemed on the mend, this poison actually proved to be fatal, killing her on the series.
Bronwyn’s death takes place off-screen since Nazanin Boniadi did not return for any part of The Rings of Power season two. But despite this, we “see” a body to confirm Bronwyn’s death. The Rings of Power shows us Bronwyn’s funeral pyre in the third episode of season two. It seems that she had only just died when The Rings of Power season two begins. The funeral pyre is gorgeous and tragic, we feel for Arondir and Theo as they lay Bronwyn to rest.
Nazanin Boniadi Chose to Leave The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Although we will miss Bronwyn on The Rings of Power, we respect that actress Nazanin Boniadi made the decisions that were most right for her regarding the role. On Instagram, Boniadi explained a bit more about her departure from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ahead of season two. She wrote, “I made the choice not to return for season two of ‘Rings of Power.’ This was unrelated to my subsequent decision to prioritize my advocacy. Throughout my career, the values I have held most dear are honesty, empathy and integrity. My character Bronwyn was committed to these same ideals in striving for a fairer world, which is why I connected so deeply with her. I look forward to sharing my latest projects with you soon.”
Although Bronwyn’s tale in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has ended with death, her influence will no doubt be felt as the series continues. Both Arondir, the elf she loved, and her son, Theo, will continue the legacy of her story.