THE BILLION DOLLAR ADVENTURE

How can one TV series cost so much?

THE MATERIAL

Amazon acquired the rights to specific parts of Tolkien’s oeuvre, including the appendices this series is based on, in 2017 for a reported $250 million.

THE LOCATION

The first season of The

Rings of Power was shot in New Zealand, where some of the cast and crew lived for two years. Next season films in the UK.

THE LOOK

Outfitting dozens of actors (like Cynthia Addai-Robinson, right) in opulent costumes and jewels was an expensive, essential feat.