Who Is Jamie Dornan Playing in ‘The Hunt for Gollum’? – Hollywood Life

Middle-earth has found its next great ranger! Jamie Dornan is joining The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, the Andy Serkis-directed prequel that sends audiences back to the world of Peter Jackson’s blockbuster trilogy. Warner Bros. and New Line revealed his casting at CinemaCon in April 2026, and the actor has since opened up about stepping into one of fantasy’s most beloved roles.

Here’s everything to know about his character.

Who Is Jamie Dornan?

Jamie is an actor from Northern Ireland who became a household name playing Christian Grey opposite Dakota Johnson in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise. He earned acclaim for the BBC crime drama The Fall, Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar-winning Belfast and the thriller series The Tourist, and he showed off his comedic side in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Away from the camera, Jamie has been married to Amelia Warner since 2013, and the couple share three daughters.

Who Is Jamie Dornan Playing in ‘The Hunt for Gollum’?

Jamie is playing Strider, the chief of the Northern Dúnedain Rangers, who is known to fans as Aragorn, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Viggo Mortensen famously played the role in Peter’s original Lord of the Rings trilogy, but this film catches the hero years earlier, long before he claims his place as heir to the throne of Gondor.

The movie takes place between The Hobbit trilogy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Strider and Gandalf search for Gollum to learn more about Bilbo Baggins’ ring, which turns out to be the One Ring that threatens all of Middle-earth.

What Did Jamie Dornan Say About Replacing Viggo Mortensen?

Jamie knows exactly how big the boots are. In an interview with L’Officiel, he admitted that the role comes with real weight.

“There’s pressure when you’re trying to follow in those footsteps,” he said, per Variety.

Rather than measuring himself against the original, Jamie heaped praise on the actor who made the role famous. “But for me, Aragorn will always be just Viggo. His performance is one of my all-time favorites, and I feel honored to try to recapture at least some of the energy he originally brought to the character. There’s no part of me that’s trying to outdo him,” Jamie said.

When Does Jamie Dornan’s ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ Come Out?

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum hits theaters on December 17, 2027, Variety confirmed. Andy directs and also returns as Gollum and Sméagol. Ian McKellen is back as Gandalf, Elijah Wood returns as Frodo Baggins and Lee Pace reprises his Hobbit role as Thranduil. Newcomers include Kate Winslet as Marigol and Leo Woodall as Halvard.

Andy celebrated the lineup when the cast was revealed. “Across two trilogies, a mark of a Middle-earth film, has always been the formidable array of talent brought to bear in every role. The Hunt for Gollum continues in that tradition, and I am delighted to announce the return of two of Middle-earth’s most beloved performers, alongside some exceptionally talented new additions to Tolkien’s world,” he said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.