ButThe Rings of Powerhasnt been hiding the secret that the Stranger is Gandalf.

Rather, its been telling the story of how hebecameGandalf.

In the first rehearsal I ever had, I asked Daniel and [showrunners] J.D.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Markella Kavenagh as Nori; Daniel Weyman as Gandalf

Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) on ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.'.Prime Video

I didnt quite realize how forward a question that was for my first rehearsal.

A big reason for that is he doesnt contribute to the plot so much as the world-building of Middle-earth.

So Bombadil pushes the Stranger forward on his way to becoming Gandalf.