A horse has died while filming the new season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The animal rights organization Peta then criticized the use of live animals on film sets. According to Deadline, the horse went into cardiac arrest on March 21 while rehearsals for the fantasy spin-off were being shot in the UK.

"We are deeply saddened to confirm that a horse involved in the production has died," a spokesman for Amazon Studios said. "The incident happened in the morning when the horse was being trained before rehearsals." According to the production company, the trainer was not in the costume and filming had not yet started. "Both a veterinarian and a representative from the American Humane Association were present at the time. The independent autopsy confirmed the horse died of heart failure."

The horse is said to have been standing near 20 other horses when it died, Deadline also reports, citing insiders. More than 30 horses are said to have been on set that day. In a statement, Peta wrote that the show "exploits animals" and urged film and TV productions to use CGI instead of living things, according to the report.

The company that provides the horses for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has also worked on TV series and films such as Wonder Woman, Justice League, Game Of Thrones and The Crown " worked. There has never been a fatality.

The first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which was filmed in New Zealand, has been available on Prime Video since September. A date for the second season, which is currently being produced in the UK, has not yet been announced. However, it is not expected until 2024 at the earliest.