Lord of the Rings TV series coming to Amazon Prime

Amazon says it has acquired the global television rights to The Lord of the Ringsbased on the fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, with a multi-season commitment.

Set in Middle Earth, this TV series will explore new story lines preceding Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring.The deal includes a potential additional spin-off series, Amazon said Monday.

The Lord of the Ringscanon was named Amazon customers' favourite book of the millennium in 1999. The three films directed by Peter Jackson earned a combined gross of nearly $6 billion US worldwide.

No launch date or cast members for the new series was announced by Amazon.