Amazon MGM Studios has recently struck a new deal with the showrunners of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,' Patrick McKay and JD Payne. The duo is already hard at work developing storylines for the upcoming Season 3 of the Prime Video series. Season 2 is set to premiere later this year, with Season 3 currently in the initial story outline phase.
While the Season 3 writers' room has not yet been established, McKay and Payne are actively shaping the direction of the new season. It is anticipated that Season 3 of 'The Rings of Power' will be filmed at Shepperton Studios in the U.K., utilizing a new production facility, as opposed to the previous location at Bray Studios.
McKay and Payne, who wrote and executive produced Season 1 and served as showrunners for Season 2, have inked an exclusive overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios to launch their production company, 10:40 PM Productions. This three-year agreement grants Amazon MGM Studios exclusive rights to all their TV projects.
'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' made its debut in fall 2022 and quickly became the most-watched Amazon Original series across all regions, claiming the top spot on Nielsen's streaming chart. Vernon Sanders, the head of Amazon MGM Studios TV, expressed excitement about the ongoing collaboration with McKay and Payne, praising their creative vision and the global success of the series.
The extension of the overall deal reflects the studio's confidence in the showrunners' storytelling abilities and their commitment to delivering captivating narratives. Payne and McKay are represented by CAA and attorney Barry Littman. The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
