WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The cast of 'The Hobbit' 8 years later

Ann SchmidtDec 6, 2020, 19:40 IST

"The Hobbit" story has been around for decades even though the movies are not very old.Warner Bros. / Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" was first published in 1937 and the book was adapted into films decades later.
The films in "The Hobbit" trilogy were released in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Actors like Cate Blanchett, Stephen Fry, and Martin Freeman have starred in a number of projects since the film series ended.

J.R.R. Tolkien published "The Hobbit" in 1937, and the book was adapted into a film trilogy decades later.

It's been eight years since "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (2012) premiered, which was followed by "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" (2013) and "The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies" (2014).

Here's what the cast of the "Hobbit" films has been up to since:

Martin Freeman played Bilbo Baggins.

Prior to his role, Martin Freeman was on the UK's original version of "The Office." Warner Bros.

Freeman continues to act in high-profile films and television shows.

Martin Freeman was in "Black Panther." Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Richard Armitage played Thorin, the lead dwarf.

The full name of Richard Armitage's character is Thorin II Oakenshield. Warner Bros.

Armitage is still acting, taking on film roles and starring as the lead in a television show.

Richard Armitage was in "Ocean's 8." Getty/Donna Ward

Sir Ian McKellen played the wizard Gandalf.

Sir Ian McKellen was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the first "Lord of the Rings" film. Warner Bros.

A famed actor, McKellen continues to take on roles in film, on television, and on stage.

Sir Ian McKellen was Cogsworth in the 2017 live-action "Beauty and the Beast." Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Cate Blanchett played Galadriel.

Cate Blanchett had been in multiple movies before landing this role. Warner Bros.

Blanchett hasn't slowed down since "The Hobbit."

Cate Blanchett has been nominated for many awards. Joel C. Ryan/Invision/AP

Benedict Cumberbatch played Smaug the dragon and voiced the Necromancer.

Smaug the dragon in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." Warner Bros.

Cumberbatch continues to be a successful actor.

Benedict Cumberbatch is well-known for his role on "Sherlock." Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

Lee Pace played the elf king, Thranduil.

Before "The Hobbit," Lee Pace was in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2." Warner Bros.

Pace picked up roles in Marvel films, on television shows, and on the stage.

Lee Pace has starred in a few movies since. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Sylvester McCoy played wizard Radagast the Brown.

Sylvester McCoy is a Scottish actor. Warner Bros.

McCoy has acted on several TV series since "The Hobbit."

Sylvester McCoy was on "Sense8." Joel Ryan/AP

Manu Bennett played Azog, the orc leader, in all three films.

Manu Bennett is unrecognizable with all of the special effects and editing. Warner Bros.

Over the course of the "Hobbit" films, Bennett picked up a role on the television show "Arrow."

Manu Bennett hasn't been in many films since. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Evangeline Lilly played the beautiful elf Tauriel.

Before starring in the film, Evangeline Lilly was on "Lost." Warner Bros.

Lilly has since appeared as a high-profile Marvel character.

Evangeline Lilly has since played a superhero. David Livingston/Getty

Luke Evans played the hero Bard in the second and third "Hobbit" films.

Bard became the King of Dale. Warner Bros.

Evans went on to star in more high-profile films, most notably the live-action "Beauty and the Beast."

Luke Evans played Gaston in the 2017 live-action version of "Beauty and the Beast." Frazer Harrison/Getty

Orlando Bloom starred as the elf Legolas in the last two "Hobbit" films.

Orlando Bloom's character was a beloved elf. Warner Bros./ MGM

After "The Hobbit," Bloom has starred in several action films, including the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie.

Orlando Bloom starred in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales." Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Stephen Fry played the Master of Laketown in the second and third "Hobbit" films.

Stephen Fry is almost unrecognizable in his role. Warner Bros.

Fry has continued acting.

Stephen Fry has continued to act. Joel Ryan/Invision/AP

Stephen Colbert had a small role as a spy in the second "Hobbit" film.

Stephen Colbert had a minor role in "The Hobbit" series. Warner Bros.

Colbert continues to host "The Late Show" on CBS.

Stephen Colbert hosts "The Late Show." Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Stephen Hunter played Bombur.

Stephen Hunter has made a few television appearances since. Richard Shotwell/AP

Ken Stott played the dwarf Balin.

Ken Stott has since been nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award. Dave J Hogan/Getty

Graham McTavish played Dwalin.

Graham McTavish is on the TV show "Outlander." Evan Agostini/AP

William Kircher played Bifur as well as one of the trolls in the first "Hobbit" film.

William Kircher has been in a few short films. Richard Shotwell/AP

James Nesbitt played Bofur in "The Hobbit."

James Nesbitt was on "The Missing." Vianney Le Caer/AP

Dean O'Gorman played Fíli.

Dean O'Gorman has taken on a few roles since. Richard Shotwell/Getty Images

Aidan Turner played Kíli, brother to Fíli.

Aidan Turner starred in "Poldark." Richard Shotwell/AP

John Callen played the dwarf Óin.

John Callen was on "Straight Forward." Richard Shotwell/AP

Peter Hambleton played the dwarf Glóin and voiced one of the trolls in the first "Hobbit" film.

Peter Hambleton has been in two movies since. Richard Shotwell/AP

Mark Hadlow played the dwarf Dori and one of the trolls in "An Unexpected Journey."

Mark Hadlow voiced a character in an animated children's show. Richard Shotwell/AP

Jed Brophy was Nori in "The Hobbit" and had previously played an orc in two "Lord of the Rings" films.

Jed Brophy has had a few roles since. Evan Agostini/AP

Adam Brown played Ori and it was his first film role.

Adam Brown voiced a character in "The Emoji Movie." Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

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