The halflings were an integral part of The Hobbit and its follow-up, but during the Second Age of Middle-earth it was elves and men who played a more prominent role.
So the question is will hobbits make an appearance in the forthcoming show?
Were hobbits around during the Second Age of Middle-earth?
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s hit fantasy novels, the origin of hobbits is relatively unknown, as it was said they existed for many generations by the time they were discovered.
The halflings originated from near the Valley of the Anduin River, where they lived between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains.
Hobbits were split into three tribes—Harfoots, Stoors and Fallohides—and the former were the most common types of halflings, who were also the first to cross the Misty Mountains.
It was during the Third Age that the hobbits founded the Shire, the home of future key figures Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took.
Unlike The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it is unclear whether the hobbits would have a significant impact on the events of the Second Age of Middle-earth.
There are many skirmishes against Sauron that take place during the period, but these are fights between the elves and the Dark Lord, with men also joining the fight.
The hobbits are a peace-loving people, so it stands to reason that they may not be interested in taking part in the wars that plague the era.
However, their journey from the Valley of the Anduin river to the Shire could be an event that is explored more on the show.
Others set to appear include Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, and Lloyd Owen.
Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani also have starring roles.
TheOneRing has claimed that Henry is set to portray a Harfoot halfling, though they have not specified a name or the origins of his character.
