Rings of Power confirms Pallando, addressing a long-standing Tolkien question
Season 2 of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power identifies the Stranger as Gandalf and reveals the Dark Wizard to be Pallando, one of Tolkien's two Blue Wizards, portrayed by Ciarán Hinds. The choice to place a Blue Wizard in the narrative is likely to divide viewers, but it also addresses a decades-old uncertainty in Tolkien's own notes.
In the season, the Stranger travels to Rhûn with Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow to learn to control his powers. From his seat at Caras Gaer, the Dark Wizard sends acolytes to seize the Stranger, later crossing paths with him in a Stoor village; he calls the Stranger an "old friend" and urges him to join a bid to become Sauron's successor.
The Dark Wizard’s apprenticeship with Tom Bombadil, his acquisition of a staff, and his seizure of much of Rhûn mark him clearly as an antagonist. Tolkien left the Blue Wizards' fate unresolved.