Rings of Power suspended filming on season 2 after a horse died on set (Picture: Prime Video/AP)
Filming on the latest series of Lord of the Rings spin-off The Rings of Power was immediately suspended earlier this week following the death of a horse on set.
According to reports, cast members were left heartbroken after the animal suffered a cardiac arrest following the rehearsal of a battle scene.
The horse, which is said to have had a rider on its back and dressed in full regalia, was one of 100 charging toward cameras down on location at Shottesbrooke Park in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
The Mail on Sunday claims that filming on the Prime Video series was terminated following the tragedy, although production started again at the end of the week.
Sharing details of the incident, one source told the publication: ‘It was absolutely heartbreaking. It came out of nowhere.
The horse is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest after rehearsing a battle scene (Picture: Prime Video)
According to insiders, the Rings of Power cast were left heartbroken and in shock (Picture: AP)
‘One minute the horses were all charging down the field towards the camera and the next minute there was one on the ground. The next thing we all knew, it was dead.’
They added that the situation was ‘awful’ and people were left in ‘total shock’.
Another source alleged that both a vet and a member of the American Humane Association animal welfare group were present on set at the time of the horse’s death.
Amazon announced in August 2021 that its big-budget show would move from New Zealand to the United Kingdom for season two filming.
Production on the eight-episode upcoming instalment, which is slated for 2024, started in October last year with Charlotte Brändström, Sanaa Hamri, and Louise Hooper in the directors’ seat.
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Based on the appendices of JRR Tolkien’s The Lords of the Rings novels, as well as The Silmarillion, Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-Earth, Rings of Power tells the story of how the legendary rings were forged, the ascension of the dark lord Sauron, and the final alliance between humans and elves in the Second Age.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Prime Video for comment.
Rings of Power is available to watch on Prime Video.
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The horse suffered a cardiac arrest on set.